Analysis of deoxynivalenol and de-epoxy-deoxynivalenol in animal tissues by liquid chromatography after clean-up with an immunoaffinity column

Mycotoxin Research - A method for the determination of deoxynivalenol (DON) and its metabolite de-epoxy-deoxynivalenol (de-epoxy-DON) in blood serum, urine, faeces/digesta and bile fluid is...     

Formation of Giant and Ultramicroscopic Forms of Nostoc muscorum CALU 304 during Cocultivation with Rauwolfia Tissues

The study of heteromorphic Nostoc muscorum CALU 304 cells, whose formation was induced by 6- to 7-week cocultivation with the Rauwolfia callus tissues under unfavorable conditions, revealed the occurrence of giant cell forms (GCFs) with a volume which was 35–210 times greater than that of standard cyanobacterial cells. Some GCFs had an impaired structure of the murein layer of the cell wall, which resulted in a degree of impairment of the cell wall ranging from the mere loss of its rigidity to its profound degeneration with the retention of only small peptidoglycan fragments. An analysis of thin sections showed that all GCFs had enlarged nucleoids. The photosynthetic membranes of spheroplast-like GCFs formed vesicles with contents analogous to that of nucleoids (DNA strands and ribosomes). About 60% of the vesicles had a size exceeding 300 nm. With the degradation of GCFs, the vesicles appeared in the intercellular slimy matrix. It is suggested that the vesicles are analogous to elementary bodies, which are the minimal and likely primary reproductive elements of L-forms. The data obtained in this study indicate that such L-forms may be produced in the populations of the cyanobionts of natural and model syncyanoses. Along with the other known cyanobacterial forms induced by macrosymbionts, L-forms may represent specific adaptive cell forms generated in response to the action of plant symbionts.     

中国结缕草属植物(Zoysia spp.)地下部分分布和形态类型的多样性

通过对分布于我国的结缕草属(ZoysiaWilld.)54份种质地下部分特点的研究,发现其地下茎分布都在15cm土层内,其中大部分在5cm深度的土层范围内(97.23%),很少达到15cm(0.29%);不定根一般可分布到40cm左右,但表层15cm内分布了不定根总量的81.62%,其下的25cm土层中分布的不定根只占不定根总量的18.38%。地下茎在10～15cm、不定根在30～40cm土层中各性状的变异都比较显著。相关分析表明,随着纬度的升高,地下茎在较深的土层(5～15cm)中分布密度有增加的趋势,而伴随着纬度升高不定根分布密度趋小。根据地下茎和不定根分布的特点,可将我国结缕草属植物地下部分划分为3大类型,即浅茎密根型、中茎密根型和深茎浅根型。     

DNA isolation from dry and fresh samples of polysaccharide-rich plants

DNA extraction is difficult in a variety of plants because of the presence of metabolites that interfere with DNA isolation procedures and downstream applications such as DNA restriction, amplification, and cloning. The chemotypic heterogeneity among species may not permit optimal DNA yield with a single protocol; thus, even closely related species may require different isolating protocols. Here we describe a modified procedure based on the hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method to isolate DNA from tissues containing high levels of polysaccharides. The procedure is applicable to both dry and fresh tissues and was tested on chickpea seeds, soybean, and wheat leaves. This method solved the problems of DNA degradation, contamination, and low yield due to binding and/or coprecipitation with starches and polysaccharides. The isolated DNA proved amenable to PCR amplification and restriction digestion.     

Choleretic activity and biliary elimination of lipids and bile acids induced by an artichoke leaf extract in rats

The therapeutic properties of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) preparations have been known since ancient times. The traditional use of artichoke leaf extract (ALE) in gastroenterology is mainly based upon its strong antidyspeptic actions which are mediated by its choleretic activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ALE on bile flow and the formation of bile compounds in anaesthetised Wistar rats after acute and repeated (twice a day for 7 consecutive days) oral administration. A significant increase in bile flow was observed after acute treatment with ALE as well as after repeated administration. The choleretic effects of ALE were similar to those of the reference compound dehydrocholic acid (DHCA). Total bile acids, cholesterol and phospholipid were determined by enzymatic assays. There was a strong ALE-induced increase in total bile acid concentration over the entire experiment. With the highest dose (400 mg/kg), a significant increase was obtained after single and repeated administration. The bile acids-increased effects of ALE were much more pronounced than those of reference (DHCA). No significant differences in cholesterol and phospholipid content could be found.     

Comparative effect of different dietary inulin sources and probiotics on growth performance and blood characteristics in growing–finishing pigs

The study was focused on assessment of the effect of an extract of long-chain inulin (LCI) and dried tubers of Jerusalem artichoke (JA) and a multispecies probiotic preparation as well as a combination thereof on growth performance and blood parameters of fattening pigs. In total, 144 pigs (initial body weight 30.0 ± 0.5 kg) were used in a 98-d experiment. The six dietary treatments consisted of the control diet (Con), diet Con supplemented with probiotics (ConP) and four diets supplemented with LCI or JA alone or with probiotics (diets LCIP and JAP). Throughout the fattening period, there was a beneficial effect of the probiotic supplementation to the inulin-containing diets and the average daily gain (ADG) was increased by supplementation of probiotics in combination with inulin sources (p < 0.05). At the end of the fattening period, ADG and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were higher after supplementation of LCI only (p < 0.05). Compared with group ConP, in groups LCI and JA, the ADG and FCR were improved (p < 0.05). Only in the first fattening stage, the addition of the prebiotics and/or probiotics had an impact on the level of white blood cells and some biochemical indices in pigs. In younger animals, probiotic or LCI supplementation increased the IgG level (p < 0.05). There was also an interaction between the probiotics and JA resulting in increased IgG and IgA concentrations (p < 0.05). In the finishing period, LCI addition increased the IgM level (p < 0.05), whereas JA addition increased IgG and IgM levels as well (p < 0.05). In conclusion, both dietary sources of inulin and probiotic supplementation can improve the fattening performance and health status of growing pigs.     

Unravelling the structure and function of the petal appendages in the tribe Schwenckieae (Solanaceae)

• The tribe Schwenckieae (Solanaceae) is characterised by the presence of appendages on the corolla, a diagnostic trait for the group. These appendages constitute a median distal projection of the three‐lobed petal and occur in the genera Melananthus and Schwenckia but are absent in Heteranthia.
• We investigated the micromorphology and anatomical structure of the appendages and lateral petal lobes of Schwenckia americana (two varieties), S. angustifolia, S. curviflora and S. novaveneciana, and Melananthus fasciculatus. We also performed histochemical tests to determine if the appendages are involved in the production of volatiles, acting as a fragrance secretory structure (osmophore).
• The appendages have a uniseriate epidermis, whose cells store phenolics and lipids. The parenchyma is starch‐rich just prior to anthesis in all species studied. The sensory test and anatomical analyses identified scent‐secreting tissues, not only in the appendages, but also in the lateral petal lobes, whose cells are papillose with a sculptured surface. The α‐naphthol p‐phenylenediamine (NADI) reaction detected volatile (essential oils) compounds in S. americana var. americana and S. americana var. angustifolia.
• We demonstrated the secretory tissues and the production of lipids in the corolla appendages of Schwenckia and Melananthus, which indicate their osmogenic function and probable scent emission to attract pollinators.

     

Triacylbenzenes and long-chain volatile ketones from Cochlospermum tinctorium rhizome

The composition of the volatile fraction from Cochlospermum tinctorium rhizome was investigated by GC and GC-MS; among 11 constituents detected, eight were identified as straight chain ketonic compounds. In addition, five triacylbenzenes were isolated from a petrol extract of the rhizome, separated by HPLC and identified by their spectral data.