Sesamin,sesamolin and the origin of sesame

Cultivars of sesame were screened to determine how widely lignans occur. All lines tested contained sesamin and sesamolin. Sesamin and sesamolin in other species of Sesamum varied. Some other genera in the Pedaliaceae also possessed lignans. Phytochemical evidence as well as other data support the suggestion that the progenitor of sesame occurs in India.     

Genetic and environmental variation in anther,pollen and pistil dimensions in sesame

Measurements of anther (length, width, depth), pollen grain (percent fertility, polar diameter, equatorial diameter, polar diameter/equatorial diameter ratio, volume) and pistil (stigma length, style length, ovary length, total pistil length, stigma width, style width, ovary width) were taken on 12 diverse sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) genotypes on each of four collection dates in 1994. Highly significant differences among genotype means were obtained for all characters except polar diameter. Highly significant differences among environment (collection date) means were found for ten of the 15 characters measured. Highly significant genotype x environment interactions were obtained for all characters except anther length. For the anther characters measured, relatively high repeatability values were found, ranging from 99.8% for length to 87.6% for depth. For the pollen grain characters measured, the repeatability values ranged from 67.6% for percent fertility to 23.1% for polar diameter. For the pistil characters measured, the repeatability values ranged from 94.0% for style width to 49.6% for total pistil length. These results indicate that genotype and environment influence anther, pollen grain and pistil characters. Variation in some of these morphological aspects could influence the consistency and interpretation of male transmission studies on both the applied and evolutionary levels.     

Dissociation, aggregation of sesame alpha-globulin in nonionic detergent solution.

Nonionic detergents Triton X-100 and Brij 36T induce dissociation and aggregation of the protein sesame alpha-globulin above the critical micelle concentrations (cmc) of the detergents. Spectrophotometric titration in Triton shows no change in the pKInt value of the tyrosyl groups at 1x10-3 M detergent where both dissociation and aggregation of the protein are observed. Fluorescence measurement does not indicate any change in the environment of the tryptophan groups of the protein in Brij. Viscosity measurements show no major conformational change of the protein in the detergent solution. Binding measurements suggest that perhaps micelles of the detergent predominantly bind to the protein. The detergent micelles preferentially bind to the exposed hydrophobic surfaces of the protein subunits. The association of the protein detergent complex through electrostatic interaction is probably responsible for the formation of the aggregates.     

Tetrahydrocannabinol, sesame oil and biogenic amines: a preliminary report

Sesame oil, a vehicle we used to solubilize tetrahydrocannabinol for chronic oral administration to mice, unexpectedly reduced norepinephrine in the brain, heart and spleen. This indicates that some solubilizing agents (at least sesame oil) may not be pharmacologically inert. Tetrahydrocannabinol significantly increased the concentration of brain serotonin without a concomitant change in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, suggesting that inhibition of monoamine oxidase had not occurred.     

Nuba agriculture and ethnobotany,with particular reference to sesame and sorghum

There is a remarkably high level of variation within cultivated sesame and sorghum in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan although the region is relatively small. The Nuba people are geographically isolated and culturally diverse in religion, language, material inventory, agricultural practices and in their rituals involving crop plants, and this contributes to the diversity in their cultivars. Nuba crop husbandry is sophisticated and high levels of genetic diversity are maintained by deliberate selection of crop varieties that are well adapted to each of the microenvironments of the region and best suited for different economic uses.     

Characterization and analysis of sesamolinol diglucoside in sesame seeds

A new lignan glucoside was isolated from defatted sesame seed flour and its structure was established as sesamolinol diglucoside [2-(3-methoxy-4-(O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->6)-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside)phenoxyl)-6-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-cis-3,7-dioxabicyclo-(3.3.0)-octane] by mass and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A quantitative analysis of 65 sesame seed samples showed that this sesamolinol diglucoside ranged from <5 to 232 mg/100 g of seeds (98+/-57 mg/100 g) with no difference between white and black sesame seeds.     

芝麻与花生间作对芝麻功能叶光合荧光特性的影响

为了明确芝麻与花生间作提高芝麻产量的光合机理,于2017—2018年设芝麻与花生3∶6间作(IC 3∶6)、2∶4间作(IC 2∶4)、芝麻单作(SS)、花生单作(SP) 4个处理,研究了间作对芝麻功能叶气体交换参数、光合-光强和光合-CO₂响应曲线、快速叶绿素荧光诱导动力学曲线的影响.结果表明:间作芝麻产量的偏土地当量比大于1/3;与单作芝麻相比,芝麻与花生间作提高了芝麻功能叶的光饱和点(I_sat)、光饱和时的净光合速率(P_{n max})、最大电子传递速率(J_max)、磷酸丙糖利用率(TPU)、Rubisco最大羧化速率(V_{c max});提高了单位面积吸收(ABS/CS_o)、捕获(TR_o/CS_o)和电子传递(ET_o/CS_o)的能量、反应中心的数目(RC/CS_m)和传递到PSⅠ末端的量子产额(RE_o/CS_o);降低了可变荧光F_k占F_j-F_o振幅的比例(W_k)和可变荧光F_j占F_p-F_o振幅的比例(V_j),提高了PSⅡ反应中心捕获光能转化为电能的效率(Ψ_o)、PSⅡ将电子传递到PSⅠ受体侧末端的效率(Ψ_Ro)、电子传递链的电子传递效率(δ_R)、PSⅠ光化学活性(ΔI/I_o)和光系统间协调性(Φ_PSⅠ/PSⅡ).IC 3∶6下芝麻功能叶的净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(g_s)、蒸腾速率(T_r)、P_{n max}、J_max、V_{c max}、TPU、Ψ_o、Ψ_Ro和δ_R均高于IC 2∶4,其中P_n、g_s和T_r差异显著.这说明间作芝麻具有明显产量间作优势关键在于间作能促进其功能叶对光能的吸收、传递与转化,提高电子传递链性能,增强PSⅠ、PSⅡ性能和两者间协调性及CO₂羧化固定能力,从而提高净光合速率,其中IC 3∶6优于IC 2∶4.     

Genetic studies on seedling vigour in sesame

Genetic studies were carried out on seedling and agronomic characters amongst 50 sesame genotypes to estimate the genetic variation, determine the relationships amongst the characters and identify rapidly growing genotypes with vigorous seedling growth. The contribution of genetic variance was highest for the two mature characters, days to first flower (95.6%) and number of nodes to first flower (95.2%), and was medium/high (50–75%) for most of the seedling characters. Strong positive genetic correlations were obtained between various cotyledon and early leaf characteristics measured at 20 days after sowing. Based on these results several genotypes were identified as having rapid seedling growth and these could form an initial gene pool to provide material for screening for tolerance to sesame flea beetle.     

A survey of aflatoxins in sesame seeds imported into Khorasan Province, Iran

Sesame seed is one of the main nutrient substances which is used in the food industries of Khorasan Razavi, Iran. Because it is likely that stored sesame seeds are contaminated with mycotoxins, the levels of aflatoxins (AF) in five lots of imported sesame seeds before their distribution to the market were studied during one year. A total of 269 sub-samples were obtained from a total of 9,321 tons of sesame seeds from five importing companies. Aflatoxins at >1 μg/kg were found in 50 % of all samples, but at low levels in most cases, which is illustrated by mean AFB₁ and total AF levels of 1.25?±?3.70 and 1.43?±?4.38 μg/kg, respectively. A few (1.9 %) samples exceeded the National Iranian Standard maximum accepted level for AFB₁ (5 μg/kg) or total AF (15 μg/kg); the maximum total AF level found in one sample was 48 μg/kg. The results indicate that the risk of a violative AF contamination in imported sesame seeds is not negligible but is currently relatively low.     

Effect of drought on biomass, protein content, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in two sesame cultivars

The effects of drought on growth, protein content, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were studied in leaves and roots of Sesamum indicum L. cvs. Darab 14 and Yekta. Four weeks after sowing, plants were grown under soil moisture corresponding to 100, 75, 50 and 25 % field capacity for next four weeks. Fresh and dry masses, and total protein content in leaves and roots decreased obviously under drought. However, several new proteins appeared and content of some proteins was affected. Measurement of malondialdehyde content in leaves and roots showed that lipid peroxidation was lower in Yekta than in Darab 14. Severe stress increased SOD, POX, CAT and PPO activities in leaves and roots, especially in Yekta. According to the present study Yekta is more resistant to drought than Darab 14.     

A survey of aflatoxins in sesame in Iran

A study of the occurrence of aflatoxins (AF) in sesame seeds was conducted in the Khorasan province of Iran between September 2009 and August 2010. Samples (n = 182) were analyzed by liquid chromatography (LC), and detection limits for AFB₁, AFB₂, AFG₁ and AFG₂, were 0.45, 0.19, 0.61, and 0.22 ng/g, respectively. AFB₁ was detected in 33 samples (18.1%), at a mean level of 1.62 ± 1.32 ng/g, and a maximum level of 5.54 ng/g. AFB₁ levels exceeded the European Union (EU) maximum tolerated level (MTL, 2 ng/g) in 9 samples, and the Iran MTL (5 ng/g) in 1 sample. Regarding total aflatoxins (AFT), the mean level was 0.92 ± 1.36 ng/g, and the maximum level was 5.54 ng/g. No sesame sample exceeded the Iran MTL (15 ng/g), but two samples exceeded the EU MTL (4 ng/g) for AFT. It is concluded that low levels of AFs occur frequently in sesame from Iran.     

Virus entry: open sesame

Detailed information about the replication cycle of viruses and their interactions with host organisms is required to develop strategies to stop them. Cell biology studies, live-cell imaging, and systems biology have started to illuminate the multiple and subtly different pathways that animal viruses use to enter host cells. These insights are revolutionizing our understanding of endocytosis and the movement of vesicles within cells. In addition, such insights reveal new targets for attacking viruses before they can usurp the host-cell machinery for replication.