蓝莓花青素有效缓解种群拥挤对果蝇的胁迫

【目的】明确拥挤胁迫对果蝇生长发育的影响,并探讨蓝莓花青素(Blueberry anthocyanins,BAC)对黑腹果蝇Drosophila melanogaster Meigen拥挤损伤的保护作用。【方法】研究不同培养密度,BAC浓度及两者协同处理对果蝇生长发育、胁迫应激和氧化应激的影响。【结果】通过观察生长在低、中、高密度下的果蝇发现,随着培养密度的升高,果蝇的蛹历期延长,体重和雌雄比显著下降,HSP70的表达水平显著上升及MDA显著下降。BAC处理显著增加果蝇蛹的数量,缩短蛹历期,降低果蝇HSP70的表达和MDA含量。在高密度组果蝇培养基中添加维生素C(Vitamin C,VC)和BAC后,拥挤胁迫仍为主要影响因素,除了VC显著缓解果蝇雌雄比失衡外,两种药物对果蝇体重和蛹历期的恢复均无显著效应。但VC和BAC处理显著降低果蝇HSP70的表达水平和MDA含量,VC处理显著提高CAT和SOD酶活性,而BAC对酶活性的影响小。雌蝇对拥挤胁迫更敏感,因此,高密度下VC和BAC对雌蝇的影响比雄蝇大。【结论】拥挤胁迫导致果蝇发育延缓,体重下降,雌雄比失衡,这与其激发果蝇的应激反应和氧化损伤相关,VC和BAC能够降低拥挤胁迫诱导的应激反应,减少氧化损伤。     

Differences in sucrose metabolism relative to accumulation of bird-deterrent sucrose levels in fruits of wild and domestic Vaccinium species

We examined variability in sucrose levels and metabolism in ripe fruits of wild and domestic Vaccinium species and in developing fruits of cultivated blueberry (V. ashei and V. corymbosum). The objective was to determine if sufficient variability for fruit sucrose accumulation was present in existing populations to warrant attempts to breed for high-sucrose fruit, which potentially would be less subject to bird predation. Threefold differences in fruit sucrose concentration were found among Vaccinium species, ranging from 19 to 24 mg (g fresh weight)^?1 in V. stamineum and V. arboreum to approximately 7 mg (g fresh weight)^?1 in cultivated blueberry (V. ashei and V. corymbosum) and V. darrowi. Hexose levels were similar among species, ranging from 90 to 110 mg (g fresh weight)^–1, and glucose and fructose were present in equal amounts. Soluble acid invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) activity was negatively correlated with fruit sucrose concentration. There was no apparent correlation between fruit sugar concentration and either sucrose synthase (EC 2.4.1.13) or sucrose phosphate synthase (EC 2.4.1.14) activities, both of which were low for all species studied. Developmental increases in fruit sugar levels of cultivated blueberry followed a pattern similar to that observed in fruit fresh weight accumulation. Hexose concentrations ranged from 6 to 30 mg (g fresh weight)^?1 during the first 60 days after anthesis. Between 60 days and fruit ripening (80 days), hexose levels rose from 30 to 80 mg (g fresh weight)^?1. Sucrose was not detected in fruits until ripening, when low levels were found. Insoluble acid invertase activity was relatively high early in fruit development, decreasing as soluble acid invertase activity increased. Between 60 days and fruit ripening, soluble acid invertase activity increased from 3 to 55 μmol (g fresh weight)^–1 h^–1. Both sucrose synthase and sucrose phosphate synthase activities were low throughout development. The extent of sucrose accumulation in fruits and the degree of variability for this trait among Vaccinium species support the feasibility of developing high sucrose fruits, which would be a potentially valuable addition to current strategies of minimizing crop losses to birds.     

蓝浆果叶片高效再生体系的建立

以高丛蓝浆果(V accin ium corym bosum)叶片为外植体,研究了影响离体再生的多个因素,建立了高效的再生体系。结果表明:改良1/2 M S ZR 5 m g.L-1培养基最适合不定芽分化,再生率达100%。不同节位叶片对蓝浆果叶片不定芽的分化具显著效应,以幼嫩的1~2节位的叶片比较容易分化不定芽;叶片远轴面接触培养基、叶片创造伤口和不经暗处理或短时间处理有利于不定芽分化。低浓度IBA有利于叶片再生茎段的生根,在改良1/2 M S IBA 0.1 m g.L-1培养基上蓝丰(B luecrop)生根率为66.7%,而伯克利(B erk ly)仅为33.3%。     

Preparative separation of chlorogenic acid by centrifugal partition chromatography from highbush blueberry leaves (Vaccinium corymbosum L.)

Introduction – Blueberries (genus Vaccinium) have gained worldwide focus because of the high anthocyanin content of their fruits. In contrast, the leaves of blueberry have not attracted any attention, even though they contain large quantities of chlorogenic acid, a strong antioxidant compound. Objective – The aim of this investigation was the quantification and preparative isolation of chlorogenic acid (5‐caffeoylquinic acid, 5‐CQA) from blueberry leaves using a new separation scheme, centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC). Methodology – A water fraction containing a high concentration of 5‐CQA (14.5% of dry weight extract) was obtained by defatting a crude methanol extract from blueberry leaves. CPC was applied to isolate 5‐CQA from this water fraction using a two‐phase solvent system of ethyl acetate–ethanol–water at a volume ratio 4:1:5 (v/v/v). The flow‐rate of mobile phase was 2 mL/min with the ascending mode while rotating at 1200 rpm. The eluate was monitored at 330 nm. The structure of chlorogenic acid in the CPC fraction was confirmed with HPLC, UV, ESI/MS and NMR spectra. Results – The HPLC chromatogram showed that the fractions collected by CPC contained chlorogenic acid with 96% purity based on peak area percentage. The total amount of chlorogenic acid isolated from 0.5 g of a water fraction was 52.9 mg, corresponding to 10.6% of the water fraction. The isolated compound was identified successively as 5‐CQA with MS (parent ion at m/z 355.1 [M + H]⁺) and ¹H NMR spectra [caffeoyl moiety in the down field (δ 6.0–8.0 ppm) and quinic acid moiety in the up field (δ 2.0–5.5 ppm)]. Conclusion – 5‐CQA was successfully isolated from blueberry leaves by the CPC method in a one‐step procedure, indicating a further potential use for blueberry leaves. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Blueberry polyphenols increase lifespan and thermotolerance in Caenorhabditis elegans

The beneficial effects of polyphenol compounds in fruits and vegetables are mainly extrapolated from in vitro studies or short-term dietary supplementation studies. Due to cost and duration, relatively little is known about whether dietary polyphenols are beneficial in whole animals, particularly with respect to aging. To address this question, we examined the effects of blueberry polyphenols on lifespan and aging of the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, a useful organism for such a study. We report that a complex mixture of blueberry polyphenols increased lifespan and slowed aging-related declines in C. elegans. We also found that these benefits did not just reflect antioxidant activity in these compounds. For instance, blueberry treatment increased survival during acute heat stress, but was not protective against acute oxidative stress. The blueberry extract consists of three major fractions that all contain antioxidant activity. However, only one fraction, enriched in proanthocyanidin compounds, increased C. elegans lifespan and thermotolerance. To further determine how polyphenols prolonged C. elegans lifespan, we analyzed the genetic requirements for these effects. Prolonged lifespan from this treatment required the presence of a CaMKII pathway that mediates osmotic stress resistance, though not other pathways that affect stress resistance and longevity. In conclusion, polyphenolic compounds in blueberries had robust and reproducible benefits during aging that were separable from antioxidant effects.     

兔眼蓝浆果在南京地区的生长和结实情况

从美国引入的１２个兔眼蓝浆果（ＶａｃｃｉｎｉｕｍａｓｈｅｉＲｅａｄｅ）品种在南京地区的生长和开花结果情况表明,大部分品种与原产地无明显差别。树冠略小于原产地。除个别品种外,单株产量一般高于或与原产地相近。说明兔眼蓝浆果对南京地区自然条件比较适应。但各品种适应程度有差异。适应性最强的品种有Ｂｒｉｇｈｔｗｅｌ、Ｂｌｕｅｂｅｌｅ、Ｃｌｉｍａｘ和Ｇａｒｄｅｎｂｌｕｅ,最差的是Ｄｅｌｉｔｅ,其他品种一般。花期早晚与倒春寒危害有关,值得注意。     

三种蓝莓根际细菌的分离及其对蓝莓苗生长发育的影响

【目的】从3种蓝莓根际土壤中分离细菌,探究蓝莓根际土壤细菌多样性,并筛选具有产酸、促生长、抑菌性能的菌株,为蓝莓专用微生物肥料的研究提供优质菌株资源和理论基础。【方法】选用5种培养基分离3种蓝莓根际土壤细菌,并进行16S rRNA基因测序和系统发育分析。筛选产酸、产吲哚-3-乙酸（indole-3-acetic acid,IAA）和铁载体、固氮、溶磷和抑制灰葡萄孢生长的菌株,挑选最适菌株制备菌剂进行蓝莓苗盆栽实验验证促生能力,并检测菌剂对蓝莓元素吸收和根际土壤肥力的影响。【结果】从3种蓝莓根际土壤分离得到124株细菌,挑选70株代表性菌株进行16S rRNA基因测序,分布于3个门21个属,其中芽孢杆菌属（Bacillus）、假单胞菌属（Pseudomonas）、链霉菌属（Streptomyces）和红球菌属（Rhodococcus）为优势分离菌群。代表性菌株中,21.4%的菌株能产酸,21.4%的菌株产吲哚-3-乙酸,47.1%的菌株具有固氮潜力,65.7%的菌株具有解磷能力,14.3%的菌株能产铁载体。少量菌株同时具有产酸、产IAA、固氮、解磷和抑菌等能力。选取具有产酸和多种促生特征的菌株绿针假单胞菌CSM-70和双鱼假单胞菌CSM-129进行盆栽蓝莓苗处理,发现2株菌均能显著促进蓝莓苗的生长发育并调控根际土壤pH,其中菌株CSM-70处理还显著促进了蓝莓叶片氮、磷元素的吸收,提升了土壤速效钾、碱解氮的含量。【结论】蓝莓根际细菌多样性高且蕴藏着丰富的促生长菌株,绿针假单胞菌CSM-70和双鱼假单胞菌CSM-129能够促进蓝莓苗生长、调控根际土壤pH和肥力,并促进植株养分吸收,具有蓝莓专用微生物菌剂研制与应用的潜力。     

Effects of Various Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Blood Cholesterol and Eicosanoids in Rats

The hypocholesterolemic efficacy of various polyunsaturated fatty acids was compared in rats given cholesterol-enriched diets with (0.004%) or without indomethacin, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor. Evening primrose oil (EPO, linoleic+ γ-linolenic), safflower oil (SFO, linoleic) or soybean oil (SBO, linoleic + α-linolenic) were added to diets at the 10% level. The serum cholesterol level of the EPO group was consistently lower than the other groups and after 3 weeks, it was significantly different from the SFO group without indomethacin and the SBO group with indomethacin. In rats fed EPO, the aorta tended to produce more prostacyclin whereas the concentration of plasma thromboxane B₂ was much lower than in rats fed SFO or SBO. The effects of indomethacin on these eicosanoids were less evident in rats fed EPO. Thus, in addition to the hypocholesterolemic action of β-linolenic acid (GLA) in preference to linoleic and possibly α-linolenic acid, GLA appears to cultivate an environment suitable for the prevention of carbiovascular disease even in the presence of excess cholesterol in the diet.     

Male Diachasma alloeum parasitoids from two host species of tephritid fruit flies respond equally to female-produced sex pheromone

Abstract.  Diachasma alloeum is a braconid wasp that parasitizes hawthorn-infesting Rhagoletis pomonella and blueberry-infesting Rhagoletis mendax , both tephritid fruit fly sibling species. The behavioural responses of male D. alloeum originating from both fruit fly host species to hexane extracts of conspecific females originating from both host species and females of various mating status are investigated in a laboratory Y-tube olfactometer. Male D. alloeum originating from either R. mendax or R. pomonella respond to one whole-body, female equivalent hexane extract in equal frequency as to a live, virgin female; this response is at least 7.5-fold greater than to solvent controls. Male D. alloeum originating from R. mendax or R. pomonella are attracted to hexane extracts of female D. alloeum abdomens but not to extracts of the head and thorax regions. Virgin D. alloeum females attract significantly more male D. alloeum originating from either host species compared with mated females of the same age. Copulation behaviour between same host and mixed host pairs appears to be identical. Male D. alloeum are equally responsive to the female-produced sex pheromone of female D. alloeum , irrespective of females' host-species origin, suggesting that these host-specific populations can potentially interbreed.