Microbial Oxidation of sec-Alcohols to Ketones

The major anthocyanin compound in buckwheat sprouts was determined to be cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside (C3R), based on HPLC data and MS/MS spectra. Investigation of the content of phenolic compounds in commercial buckwheat sprouts indicated that hypocotyls are abundant in C3R and rutin, whereas all of the detected flavonoids are abundant in cotyledons. The superoxide anion radical-scavenging activities (SOD-like activities) of phenolic compounds in buckwheat sprouts and their contents indicated that rutin, isoorientin, and orientin contributed mainly to the SOD-like activity of the extract from buckwheat sprouts. In contrast, the contribution of C3R was substantially lower than that of flavonoids.     

外源钙对甘肃贝母倒苗特性和抗氧化酶活性的影响

对甘肃贝母(Fritillaria przewalskii Maxim.)鳞茎播种后2年生苗喷施不同浓度CaCl_2溶液(5、10、15、20和25mmol·L~(-1)),以喷施等量蒸馏水为对照(CK),通过测定倒苗率变化和倒苗期地下部分生理特性,探讨外源钙对甘肃贝母倒苗特性的影响。结果显示:(1)外源CaCl_2处理均可推迟甘肃贝母倒苗高峰期,有效延长甘肃贝母生长期,从而提高鳞茎产量;各CaCl_2浓度处理的倒苗延迟效应基本表现为15 mmol·L~(-1)20 mmol·L~(-1)25mmol·L~(-1)10mmol·L~(-1)5mmol·L~(-1)CK。(2)不同CaCl_2溶液喷施后倒苗期较CK推迟效应显著,比CK倒苗高峰期推迟3~7d,并推迟3~6d结束倒苗高峰,其中以喷施15mmol·L~(-1) CaCl_2处理的倒苗延迟效应最佳。(3)10~25mmol·L~(-1) CaCl_2处理均可有效增强甘肃贝母倒苗期根系活力和鳞茎的抗氧化能力,其中以15mmol·L~(-1) CaCl_2处理的倒苗期根系TTC活力最高,鳞茎SOD、POD和CAT活性最强。(4)隶属函数法综合分析结果显示,不同浓度CaCl_2处理下甘肃贝母倒苗期鳞茎抗性及生活力由强至弱依次为15mmol·L~(-1)20mmol·L~(-1)25mmol·L~(-1)10mmol·L~(-1)5mmol·L~(-1)CK。研究表明,15mmol·L~(-1) CaCl_2为甘肃贝母延迟倒苗期、增强苗期鳞茎抗逆性、提高鳞茎产量的最佳处理。     

不同遮光处理对平茬后厚朴萌蘖株部分形态及生理指标的影响

以自然光照(遮光率0.0%)为对照,对遮光率20.0%、52.5%和78.6%条件下平茬后厚朴(Magnolia officinalis Rehd.et Wils)萌蘖株的部分形态和生理指标进行比较.结果表明:随遮光率提高,3个遮光处理组萌蘖株的株高呈现逐渐增大的趋势,萌蘖株叶中的叶绿素a、叶绿素b、类胡萝卜素和总叶绿素含量也基本上呈现逐渐增大的趋势,但萌蘖株的地径却呈现逐渐减小的趋势.萌蘖株的冠幅,单桩的萌蘖株数、叶片总数和叶芽总数,叶长和叶宽,单叶的干质量和叶面积,叶中叶绿素a含量与叶绿素b含量的比值(Chla/Chlb)和可溶性糖含量均在遮光率52.5%条件下最大,但仅冠幅、单桩叶片总数、单叶面积和叶中可溶性糖含量显著大于对照,分别较对照增加156.21%、28.18%、129.02%和64.31%;并且,多数指标在遮光率20.0%条件下居中、在遮光率78.6%条件下最小.然而,萌蘖株的叶长宽比、比叶质量及叶的相对含水量和可溶性蛋白质含量则在遮光率52.5%条件下最小,但仅比叶质量显著小于对照,较对照减少37.43%;并且,多数指标在遮光率20.0%条件下居中、在遮光率78.6%条件下最大.研究结果显示:适当的遮光处理能够促进平茬后厚朴萌蘖株的生长,遮光率52.5%为最优的遮光处理条件.     

Shelf-life enhancement of fresh ginger rhizomes at ambient temperatures by combination of gamma-irradiation, biocontrol and closed polyethylene bag storage

The feasibility of a combination process involving gamma-irradiation, packing in closed polyethylene bags and biological control of fungi causing storage rot was evaluated as a means of extending the shelf-life of fresh ginger rhizomes at ambient temperatures (25–30°C). Storage in closed polyethylene bags reduced weight loss but increased sprouting and rooting, which could be prevented by gamma irradiation to 60 Gy. Rotting caused by Sclerotium rolfsii was, however, a major cause of spoilage during extended storage.
Four isolates of Trichoderma sp. isolated from sclerotia of S. rolfsii infecting ginger rhizomes, one of Gliocfadium uirens, and four isolates of fluorescent Pseudomonas were tested, out of which, one isolate of Trichoderma was found to be highly effective in suppressing the growth of S. rolfsii. The efficacy of the antagonist was demonstrated under simulated market conditions using artificially inoculated rhizomes. The recommended procedure consists of dipping washed, air dried rhizomes in Trichoderma suspension (10⁸spores ml^-1), air-drying, packing in 250 gauge LDPE bags followed by irradiation to 60 Gy. Rhizomes thus treated remained in good marketable condition for up to 2 months at ambient temperature without sprouting or significant loss of quality and less than 5% weight loss.
An in vitro bioassay system was developed to demonstrate the efficacy of the antagonist to protect the cut surface of sliced rhizomes inoculated with the pathogen. The method could be used for rapid screening of antagonists.     

Functional Compounds in Fermented Buckwheat Sprouts

Fermented buckwheat sprouts (FBS) are used as multifunctional foods. Their production process includes fermentation with lactic acid bacteria. The major strains were found to include Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus pentosus, Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, and Pediococcus pentosaceus in an investigation of the lactic acid bacteria. We searched for the functional components, and nicotianamine (NA) and 2″-hydroxynicotianamine (HNA) were identified as angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. NA and HNA increased during fermentation. Indole-3-ethanol was identified as an antioxidant (a SOD active substance), and may have been generated from tryptophan during fermentation because it was not contained in green buckwheat juice. A safety test demonstrated that FBS contained were safe functional food components, showing negative results in buckwheat allergy tests. Any buckwheat allergy substances might have been degraded during the fermentation process.     

Changes in the Levels of γ-Aminobutyric Acid and Glutamate Decarboxylase in Developing Soybean Seedlings

Received 6 November 2000/ Accepted in revised form 21 May 2001     

Vanadium-enriched chickpea sprout ameliorated hyperglycemia and impaired memory in streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats

Vanadium compounds have been recognized for their hypoglycemic effects; however, potential short and long-term vanadium toxicity has slowed the acceptance for therapeutic use. In the present work, three batches of vanadium-enriched chickpea sprout (VCS) were prepared by incubating chickpea seeds in presence of 200, 100, and 50 mug/ml of sodium orthovanadate (SOV). The effects of oral administration of chickpea sprout (CS) and VCS food for 8 weeks on streptozotocin-induced (STZ) diabetic rats were investigated. Both CS and VCS food was found to ameliorate some hyperglycemic symptoms of the diabetic rats, i.e. improve lipid metabolism, decrease blood glucose level, prevent body weight loss, and reduce impairment of diabetic related spatial learning and memory. Serum insulin was substantially elevated in treated diabetic rats, which is probably one important reason for the hypoglycemic effect. Compared with CS alone, VCS100 food exhibited remarkably enhanced effectiveness in alleviating diabetes induced hyperglycemia and memory loss. Moreover, vanadium-enriched chickpeas appeared to abolish the vanadium induced toxicity associated with administration of this metal for diabetes during the 8-week study period. This study suggested further work of the vanadium speciation in CS and novel hypoglycemic mechanism for the antidiabetic activity of vanadium agents. Vanadium containing (VCS) food could be a dietary supplement for the diabetic status.     

Wheat sprout extract induces changes on 20S proteasomes functionality

Wheat sprouts contain a very high level of organic phosphates and a powerful cocktail of different molecules such as enzymes, reducing glycosides and polyphenols. The antioxidant properties of wheat sprouts have been widely documented and it has been shown that they are able to protect DNA against free-radicals mediated oxidative damage. Furthermore, we have recently reported on the effects of several polyphenols on 20S proteasomes, underlying the dual role of epigallocatechin-3-gallate as an antioxidant and a proteasome effector in cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of wheat sprout extracts on 20S proteasome functionality. Wheat sprout extracts have been analysed and characterized for their polyphenolic content using the Folin-Ciocalteau reagent and RP-HPLC technique. Comparing our data with a polyphenol standard mixture we identified five different polyphenols: gallic acid, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, epigallocatechin, epicatechin and catechin. The treatment of isolated 20S proteasomes with the extract induced a gradual inhibition of all the tested components, ChT-L, T-L, PGPH and BrAAP, in both the complexes. At low extract concentration a slight activation of the enzyme was evident only for the BrAAP component of the constitutive enzyme and the ChT-L activity of the immunoproteasome. beta-casein degradation rate decreased, particularly with the immunoproteasome. Human Colon adenocarcinoma (Caco) cells, stimulated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, showed activation of the 20S proteasome activities at short incubation times and an increase in intracellular oxidative proteins. Cells treatment with wheat sprout extract led to proteasome inhibition in unstimulated cells and attenuated the effects mediated by TPA. Finally, exposure to the extract affected the expression levels of pro-apoptotic proteins.     

Characterization of Lactococcus garvieae isolated from radish and broccoli sprouts that exhibited a KG+ phenotype, lack of virulence and absence of a capsule

AIMS: To identify Lactococcus garvieae isolates from radish and broccoli sprouts and compare them with virulent and less virulent mutant strains obtained from yellowtails with regard to KG phenotype, presence of a capsule and virulence towards yellowtails and mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of six isolates obtained from radish and broccoli sprouts indicated that they were L. garvieae (similarity >99%). They were compared with KG9502, Lg2 and ATCC49156 strains obtained from yellowtails. A less virulent mutant strain Lg2-S was obtained by Lg2 subculture. Biochemical characterization of the six strains resembled that of KG9502, Lg2, ATCC49156 and Lg2-S, except for saccharose and tagatose acidification and the presence of hippuricase. These six strains were nonpathogenic towards yellowtails and mice, nonsusceptible to bacteriophages and demonstrated heterogeneity on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis. Using transmission electron microscopy, a capsule was observed in KG9502 and Lg2 but not in ATCC49156 and Lg2-S. CONCLUSIONS: We isolated L. garvieae strains that lacked pathogenicity towards yellowtails and mice from radish and broccoli sprouts; these were noncapsulated and exhibited KG(+) phenotype. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first documentation of L. garvieae isolated from terrestrial plants. These isolates exhibited genetic diversity; however, they were noncapsulated and nonpathogenic towards yellowtails and mice.     

The Response Specificity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichogramma</Emphasis> Egg Parasitoids towards Infochemicals during Host Location

Parasitoids are confronted with many different infochemicals of their hosts and food plants during host selection. Here, we investigated the effect of kairomones from the adult host Pieris brassicae and of cues present on Brussels sprout plants infested by P. brassicae eggs on the behavioral response of the egg parasitoid Trichogramma evanescens. Additionally, we tested whether the parasitoid’s acceptance of P. brassicae eggs changes with different host ages. The wasps did not discriminate between olfactory cues from mated and virgin females or between mated females and males of P. brassicae. T. evanescens randomly climbed on the butterflies, showing a phoretic behavior without any preference for a certain sex. The parasitoid was arrested on leaf parts next to 1-day-old host egg masses. This arrestment might be due to cues deposited during oviposition. The wasps parasitized host eggs up to 3 days old equally well. Our results were compared with former studies on responses by T .brassicae showing that T. evanescens makes less use of infochemicals from P. brassicae than T. brassicae.