Extraction of crude polysaccharides from Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Focke: optimization by response surface methodology

A full set of optimization procedure was applied to the extraction of anti-viral polysaccharides from Duchesnea indica (Andrews) Focke. By Plackett–Burman factorial design, three parameters (extraction time, extraction temperature, and ratio of water to raw material) were identified as significant to the extraction yield. However, no significant parameters had been identified for antiviral activity. A three-level-three-factor Box–Behnken factorial design was then employed to further optimize the extraction condition. The experimental data were fitted to a second-order polynomial equation using multiple regression analysis and also examined using appropriate statistical methods. This led to the construction of a response surface indicating the optimal values for each parameter and response studied. Concerning the extraction yield, an extraction at 98.51?ºC for 6.16 h with a ratio of water to raw material of 30.94 mL/g was found to be optimal. Under the optimized conditions, the experimental yield was 6.430 ± 0.078%, which was well matched with the predicted yield of 6.509%.     

Fruit extract capped colloidal silver nanoparticles and their application in reduction of methylene blue dye

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has become a promising environmentally benign synthetic route in nanoscience and nanotechnology during recent years. In the present work, we have developed an environment-friendly and low-cost method for synthesis of silver nanoparticles from silver nitrate using aqueous fruit extract of Dillenia indica. The as-synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). FTIR study was performed to know the interaction of bio-molecules present in the fruit extract with AgNPs. The catalytic application of the as-synthesized AgNPs was demonstrated against degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous system. The absorption spectra of colloidal suspension of AgNPs showed characteristic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band centred at a wavelength of 416?nm. TEM image showed that the AgNPs were almost spherical in shape having an average diameter of 10.78?±?.48?nm. XRD pattern and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern with bright spots signify the crystalline nature of nanoparticles. The fruit extract-capped AgNPs was highly stable and have showed the effective catalytic activity in reduction of MB dye.     

Effect of various pre-treatments on the seedling growth performance of Tamarindus indica L.

ABSTRACT

Pre-treatment of seeds of Tamarindus indica L. with 95% sulphuric acid for 5, 10 or 15 min, methanol, ethanol, iso-propanol or butanol for 10 or 20 min, or boiling water for 10, 15, 20 or 30 min, was used to determine the effect of the various treatments on the development and vigour of the resultant seedlings. Seeds immersed in methanol, ethanol and sulphuric acid for 10 min produced seedlings with high vigour     

早籼稻米垩白形成中的生理生化变化特性

以早籼多垩白品种泸红早１号、浙７３３和少垩白品种中优早３号、舟优９０３及中籼中引８５为材料,在自然高温条件下对水稻灌浆过程中胚乳内含物质（如淀粉、可溶性糖等）和酶（淀粉磷酸化酶、Ｑ酶）活性的连续变化进行测定。结果表明,不同垩白度品种其胚乳内部物质增长的时间进程和酶活性的变化存在差异,由此造成灌浆动态明显不同,并导致垩白形成的差异。     

Stage-specific induction of systemic acquired resistance by fruit extracts of Azadirachta indica

In the present study, the efficacy of aqueous fruit extract of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Neem) on induction of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in tomato against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato through enhancement in the activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) at different ages was studied. Plants at 6, 8, 10 and 12?weeks of age were selected. A single leaf at the third node from the base of each plant was treated either singly or with different combinations of the pathogen and Neem fruit extract. Samples were collected from the non-treated leaves at an interval of 24?h up to five?days for enzyme assay and after two?weeks for disease development from both treated and untreated plants. The results demonstrate that the neem fruit extract could induce additional PPO isoforms both locally as well as systemically. The PPO activity was observed to be elevated in both the treated and non-treated leaves leading to induction of SAR. The induction of SAR enhances with the increase in the age of the plant.     

印度梨形孢促进蒺藜苜蓿生长及其提高耐盐性研究

【目的】研究盐胁迫下印度梨形孢定殖对豆科模式植物蒺藜苜蓿生长发育的影响。【方法】通过分析不同生境下植物的根长、根鲜重和茎鲜重,以及体内抗氧化物酶活性、脯氨酸含量、甜菜碱醛脱氢酶基因(BADH)的表达,确定印度梨形孢对蒺藜苜蓿生长的促进作用,并初步阐释印度梨形孢诱导植物耐盐性的机制。【结果】印度梨形孢能在蒺藜苜蓿根部定殖并能促进植物的生长发育,有效缓解盐胁迫造成的生长抑制。印度梨形孢能提高植物体内抗氧化物酶活性,增加游离脯氨酸含量并诱导BADH基因的表达。【结论】印度梨形孢作为植物生长促进因子可以用来提高植物耐盐性,实现盐碱土壤的间接改良。     

了哥王叶功能性状特征及其对土壤因子的响应

为探究了哥王Wikstroemiaindica的叶功能性状特征及其影响因素,在海岛植被调查的基础上对了哥王叶片进行取样并测定其功能性状指标,利用变异系数法和Pearson相关性分析探讨叶功能性状之间的差异与联系,运用冗余分析研究了哥王叶功能性状对土壤因子的响应。结果表明,了哥王的叶功能性状变异系数介于9.76%～23.73%,其中叶体积变异幅度最大(23.73%),叶干物质含量变异幅度最小(9.76%),整体上了哥王叶功能性状保持相对稳定。了哥王各项叶功能性状之间具有一定的相关性,联系较密切。了哥王叶功能性状主要受土壤中有机质、全氮、碱解氮的影响,土壤中有机质、全氮、碱解氮的含量与比叶面积呈正比,与叶厚度、叶体积成反比。了哥王的叶片可以通过一定的性状变异和组合来适应外部环境的变化,以较好地适应海岛恶劣的环境。该研究结果可为了哥王野生种质资源的保护、利用以及人工栽培提供参考。     

Reproductive strategies of Strobilanthes kunthianus, an endemic, semelparous species in southern Western Ghats, India

Strobilanthes kunthianus (Acanthaceae) is a semelparous species with synchronized flowering and mast seeding once in 12 years. As semelparous plants have only one chance to reproduce, they are expected to develop effective strategies to prevent reproductive failure. The reproductive strategies of S. kunthianus were investigated by studying the floral traits, pollination biology, and breeding system that are critical for reproductive success. The species exhibits a series of floral traits: (1) gregarious flowering attracts a large number of Apis cerana indica , the major pollinator; (2) the stigma is sensitive to touch by the pollinator; in fresh flowers, the receptive surface faces the entry path of the incoming bee, facilitating pollen deposition; as an immediate response, the stigma curves backwards moving the receptive surface away from the path of the exiting bee, thus preventing autogamy and interference in pollen transfer; (3) flowers remain fresh for 2 days with receptive stigma and nectar and pollen reward. These traits render the species 100% pollination efficient to ensure a high seed set. As the species is self-compatible, the prevailing high degree of geitonogamous pollinations does not interfere with fruit set. The evolution of the adaptive floral traits has facilitated mast seeding in the species.  © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society , 2008, 157 , 155–163.     

The antagonistic action of Trichoderma harzianum strain DGA01 against anthracnose-causing pathogen in mango cv. ‘Carabao’

The mechanisms of control and efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum strain DGA01 against anthracnose-causing pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in mango cv. ‘Carabao’ were examined. The action of DGA01 towards C. gloeosporioides was mycoparasitism and production of metabolites. DGA01 parasitised the pathogen by coiling its mycelia and spores on both artificial media and mango fruit surfaces. DGA01 was a parasitic necrotroph capable of killing C. gloeosporioides in 14 days of coexistence in artificial media. Dipping fruit in conidial suspension (10⁶?mL?L^?1) of DGA01 significantly decreased the incidence of anthracnose as compared to untreated fruit. Reduction in anthracnose severity was 87.90% showing high antagonistic potential of DGA01 in vivo.