Vol. 10(3) March 2015
Phytochemical diversity of Ziziphora clinopodioides
Lam. in XinJiang, China
Xu Haiyan, Ding Wenhuan and Tian Shuge
This investigation aimed to phytochemically characterize
Ziziphora clinopodioides Lam. from 18 populations in XinJiang, China. Volatile components
such as essential oils were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry,
the contents of the total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), triterpenoid (TTC), free
amino acid (TFAAC) and polysaccharide (TPSC) were measured by visible spectrophotometry
and the levels of caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, diosmin, linarin, and pulegone
were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Next, the principal
component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) methods were used to analyze
the genetic diversity of the Z. clinopodioides Lam. germplasm resources from XinJiang
province according to the major chemical composition. According to the research,
6 principle components were extracted from the essential oils using PCA and the
cumulative contribution rate reached 85.196%. According to CA, both the oils and
10 specific compositions of 18 samples could be classified into 3 clusters and the
classification results were broadly consistent with the regions. The results of
this research will provide a reliable basis for resource distributions and quality
evaluations of Z. clinopodioides Lam.
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Antioxidant Properties derived from Stromata of Xylaria
species collected from Tropical Forest in Thailand
Orachaipunlap Krittapong, Suwannasai Nuttika, Chutipaijit Sutee, Whalley Anthony
J. S. and Sihanonth Prakitsin
Fungi in the genus Xylaria are common wood decay fungi.
They have been shown to be potential sources of novel natural products for utilization
in medicine, agriculture and industry. In this study, stromata of Xylaria spp. were
collected from Trat Agroforestry Research and Training Station. Fresh specimens
of Xylaria spp. were cultured on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) for 14 days and then
transferred to Malt Extract Broth (MEB). All isolates were cultured under static
condition for 6 weeks and extracted with ethyl acetate. Antioxidant properties of
stromatic Xylaria spp. were determined in vitro by ABTS and DPPH assays. Free radical
scavenging was recorded by Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) in ABTS
assay and EC50 in DPPH assay. The ethyl acetate extracts of four stromatic Xylaria
spp. (TR25, TR34, TR46 and TR51) showed strong activities against both ABTS (TEAC
20.70.08, 15.160.03, 110.03 and 19.660.11 M Trolox respectively) and DPPH assay
(EC50 36.920.96, 70.531.04, 1022.67 and 49.081.74 L respectively). The correlation
coefficients from regression analysis showed a positive correlation between total
phenolic/flavonoid contents and TEAC for ABTS assay of all crudes extracted and
showed a negative correlation between total phenolic/flavonoid contents and the
EC50 for DPPH radical scavenging. Moreover, GC/MS results are indicated the various
phenolic compounds in selected crude extracts. In conclusion, cultures obtained
from stromata of Xylaria spp. may have potential as natural antioxidant products.
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Treatment of TCE-contaminated Groundwater using In
Situ Potassium Permanganate Oxidation: Effects and Kinetics Evaluation
Liang S. H., Wang S. Y., Chang Y.M. and Kao C. M.
The objectives of this bench-scale study were (1) to
determine the optimal operational parameters and kinetics when potassium permanganate
(KMnO4) was applied in situ to oxidize and remediate trichloroethylene (TCE)-contaminated
groundwater and (2) to evaluate the effects of manganese dioxide (MnO2) on the efficiency
of TCE oxidation. Approximately 90% TCE removal was observed within the first 275
to 6,880 min for molar ratios of TCE to KMnO4 ranging from 2.53 to 19.63. The calculated
second-order reaction rate matched the observed data well. The addition of low doses
of KMnO4 could minimize the amount of MnO2 production for a given reaction time.
Further detailed investigations of the effect of molar ratios of KMnO4 to TCE were
on the removal efficiencies and completeness of the TCE oxidation was warranted
for successful application of the controlled-release KMnO4 technique in practice.
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Synthesis and Chracterization of Folic Acid conjugated
ZnO/ Silica Core-shell as Cancer Therapeutic and Imaging Agent
Molahasani Nassibeh, Farhadyar Nazanin, Seyed Sadjadi Mirabdullah, Shabadra R. and
Gargh S.L.
As a new strategy of combined application of ZnO nanorods
with anticancer doxorubicin drug (DOX), we synthesized folic acid conjugated ZnO
nanorods (NRs) for targeted drug delivery application purpose. ZnO NRs was synthesized
by hydrothermal method and coated with silica layer using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS)
and aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) at room temperature. Such a surface modified
and functionalized samples was then leached in folic acid (FA) as a targeting agent
to leave a folate targeted nanostructure. Characterization of the samples was carried
out using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy
(FTIR) and UV/Visible technique. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and
Energy Dispersive X-ray (FESEM-EDAX) analysis were used to study morphology, distribution
and composition of the prepared samples. The results revealed maintenance and chemical
bonding of the residual functional groups of folic acid on the nanocarrier’s surface
and allowed assembled nanocarrier to be used as a site specific delivery of chemotherapeutic
agents.
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Genetic diversity in Xuan nha pine (Pinus armandii
subsp. xuannhaensis L.K. Phan)
Nguyen Minh Tam, Phan Ke Loc and Vu Dinh Duy
Pinus armandii subsp. xuannhaensis L.K. Phan is a new
five needle pine discovered recently from Xuan Nha Nature Reserve. The subspecies
is considered as a narrow endemic to Vietnam and is assessed as endangered. The
genetic variation of Pinus armandii subsp. xuannhaensis in Vietnam was investigated
on the basis of fifteen ISSR primers. One hundred and seventeen sampled trees from
five populations representing the species in Xuan Nha Nature Reserve were used as
material for the study. The ISSR data indicated low genetic variability for all
the populations, except for Tan Xuan (H = 0.182), with an average of 0.114 and high
value at the species level, an average of 0.302. Genetic differentiation among populations
was high (Gst = 0.6471) indicating limited gene flow (Nm = 0.273).
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Assessment of genetic diversity using SSR and candidate
genes markers among rice accessions (Orysa sativa L.) in relation to grain micronutrient
(Iron and Zinc) content
Suma M. R. and Shashidhar H. E
Assessment of genetic diversity in a crop germplasm is
a vital part of plant breeding. DNA markers such as microsatellite or simple sequence
repeat markers (SSR) and candidate genes (CG) have been widely used to estimate
the genetic diversity in rice. Out of 50 rice SSR primer and CGs pairs studied,
47 showed polymorphism on screening in 12 rice genotypes. The trend of diversity
was estimated based on the number of alleles (Na), Nei’s genetic diversity index
(He) and polymorphism information content (PIC). A total of 141 alleles were identified
averaging 2.82 alleles per locus. PIC varied from 0.24 (RM5707) to 0.71 (RM1089
and RM264). The Nei’s genetic diversity (he) varied from 0.28 (RM5707) to 0. 68
(RM144), the average number of he value estimated in present study is 0.53. The
NTSYS-pc UPGMA tree cluster analysis led to the distribution of twelve rice varieties
into two major groups, I and II. Azucena and IR64 had minimum similarity coefficient
of 0.122. Similarity coefficient values indicated that Azucena and IR64 are highly
diverse which may be used in further breeding programme for crop improvement.
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Enhancement of Skin Anti-inflammation Activities of
Codonopsis lanceolata through Stepwise Steaming Process associated with High Pressure
Extraction
Choi Woon Yong and Lee Hyeon Yong
The aim of this study was to enhance the anti-inflammatory
properties of C. lanceolata through a stepwise steaming process including a high
pressure extraction at 300 MPa for 30 min. First, the extract from the stepwise
streaming of C. lanceolata by high pressure extraction (SHC) showed the highest
reducing power at 3.05 (O.D) compared with 2.01 (O.D) in the convention-al water
extraction at 100oC. The SHC extract most strongly inhibited NO production from
RAW 264.7 cells, requiring a final concentration of only 6.33 μM whereas 9.64, 6.62
and 10.74 μM were required from only steamed C. lanceolata (SC), high pressure extracted
C. lanceolata (HC) and fresh C. lanceolata (FC) respectively. The SHC extract also
significantly inhibited LPS-induced PGE2 production from macrophages at concentrations
as low as 15%. Hyaluronidase activity, a key indicator of skin inflammation, was
reduced to 50% in both the SHC and FC. It was proven that the high anti-inflammatory
activities found in the SHC can be attributed to the anti-oxidative properties of
phenolic acids. For example, 27.03 μg/mg of gallic acid and 12.86 μg/mg of vanillic
acids were extracted in the SHC process. Notably, these bioactive substances prevent
the generation of active oxygen in the skin as well as the oxidation of the skin.
It was also found that the SHC can effectively suppress iNOS and COX2 expression
levels which are strongly related to skin inflammation. Suppressing the expression
of these genes will eventually suppress inflammation and improve skin immunity through
anti-oxidative processes.
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Molecular characterization of plant growth promoting
bacterial strains from Pinus roxburghii L. rhizosphere
Younis Tayyaba and Faisal Muhammad
Present study deals with the isolation and characterization
of twenty five bacterial strains from the rhizosphere of Pinus roxburghii growing
in three different geographical regions (Lahore, Islamabad and Mansehra) of Pakistan.
Out of twenty five isolates, eight (32%) solubilized tri-calcium phosphate (TCP),
nine (36%) produced plant growth hormone indole acetic acid (IAA), five (20%) produced
anti-fungal metabolites and ten (40%) produced siderophores. On the basis of 16S
rRNA gene sequences, thirteen Gram-positive (52%) and twelve Gram-negative (48%)
isolates were assigned to ten genera and twenty one species. Of these genera, Bacillus
(five species) made up the largest complement followed by Pseudomonas (two species).
The Gram-negative rhizobacteria were distributed in two phyla: Proteobacteria (α-proteobacteria,
γ-proteobacteria) and Flavobacteria. Plant growth experiment study revealed that
strains (Comamonas sp., Enterobacter sp., Bacillus simplex, Bacillus sp., Pantoea
sp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were able to enhance wheat root length to a significant
level (up to 47%) as compared to non-inoculated control.
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Protoplast isolation and fusion in cultivated Cajanus
cajan (L.) Millsp. and wild species of Pigeonpea
Parihar A., Pachchigar K. and Zaman Mariya S.
Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) is an important
grain legume crop of rainfed agriculture in the semi-arid tropics and second most
important pulse crop grown in India. Present work has been attempted to isolate,
characterize, fuse and culture leaf derived protoplasts of different 10 lines of
pigeonpea comprising of 8 wild species and two predominant varieties of cultivated
species of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.) i.e. GT-101 and GTR-11. The isolated
protoplasts of all the eight diverse wild species of pigeonpea were attempted to
be fused with two cultivated varieties of pigeonpea- GT-101 and GTR-11. Protoplasts
were successfully isolated from cultivated and wild pigeonpea. Several combinations
and concentrations of hydrolytic enzymes with PEG were used for protoplast isolation
and fusion, respectively. The incubation in an enzyme mixture containing 1.0 % cellulase,
0.15% macerozyme and 2.0% pectinase for 18 hr at 25ºC in dark produced good yield
and viability. However, the best response was obtained with species Rhyconsia minima.
Among different combinations of PEG concentrations (28, 35, 40%) tested in general,
28% PEG treatment produced the highest fusion frequency. Purified protoplasts cultured
in agarose solidified MS medium were tested. A total of four hormones 2,4 –D, kinetin,
BAP and NAA were used with different concentrations. It has been observed that proto
colony was achieved within 5-6 days of culture and within 9 to 10 days, clusters
of 20 to 30 cells were obtained. The maximum calli formation was observed in 2,4-D
whereas it was minimum under NAA. Further, for confirmation of regeneration in proto
calli, this was observed under microscope which clearly showed regenerated cell
wall and vacuolated and clustered shape of parenchymatous cell which could confirm
growing calli from proto calli.
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Transcriptome profile and differentially expressed
genes analysis in winter wheat under cold stress conditions
Dongwei Xie and Zhuofu Li
Winter wheat can regrow surviving the cold winter in
extremely cold areas and this type of cold resistance is a very attractive quality.
Very little is known regarding the molecular mechanism of cold resistance in winter
wheat, particularly the identity of the cold resistance genes. In this study, RNA
was extracted from the crown of winter wheat varieties with different cold resistances
subjected to various low-temperature treatments. Using the Solexa/Illumina sequencing
platform, 60 million sequencing reads were obtained and these reads were assembled
into 80,704 unigenes. Based on the method of known protein similarity search, we
acquired 51,929 sequences that were consistent with the standard E-value cut-off
of 10-5. Additionally, 22,724 sequences were annotated by gene ontology (GO) term,
31,964 sequences were annotated by Swiss-Prot, 18,764 sequences were clustered into
43 types by Clusters of Orthologous Groups classifications (COG) and 29,553 sequences
are assigned to 125 pathways by the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways
(KEGG). Furthermore, transcription factor genes involved in cold and dehydration
resistance are more highly expressed in Dongnongdongmai 1, which is cold resistant,
compared to Jimai 22, which is cold sensitive. The expression of genes in Phenylalanine
metabolism, Alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, Gluathione metabolism, as well as Starch
and sucrose metabolism pathway was triggered by LT. In addition, these pathways
had difference between the two winter wheat varieties. We performed cluster analysis
for the differentially expressed genes. Eight genes were randomly selected for expression
quantity validation by quantitative RT-PCR. These results of the gene expression
pattern analysis under three low temperature treatments are essentially same as
the DGE data. Summarily, we obtained an extensive transcriptome dataset from winter
wheat, a non-model whole genome which identifies winter wheat cold resistance genes
under low temperature conditions.
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Molecular cloning, sequence characterization and expression
pattern of BURP domain-containing protein 17 gene from watermelon (Citrullus lanatus)
Peng Lei
The complete mRNA sequence of the watermelon BURP domain-containing
protein 17 gene was amplified through rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) method.
The full-length mRNA was 1,085 bp containing a 996 bp open reading frame which encodes
a protein of 331 amino acids. Sequence analysis revealed that watermelon BURP domain-containing
protein 17 protein shares high homology with the BURP domain-containing protein
17 of cucumber (82%), muskmelon (82%), apple (58%), soybean(57%)and wine grape (54%).
Phylogenetic analysis revealed that watermelon BURP domain-containing protein 17
gene has a closer genetic relationship with the BURP domain-containing protein 17
gene of cucumber and muskmelon. Tissue expression profile analysis was carried out
and results indicated that the watermelon BURP domain-containing protein 17 gene
was highly expressed in root and stem, moderately expressed in flower and leaf,
and weakly expressed in fruit. These results established the primary foundation
to understand the watermelon BURP domain-containing protein 17 gene.
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Economic Feasible Evaluation of Biogas Production
from Napier Grass
Sawasdee Vanatpornratt and Pisutpaisal Nipon
Napier grass, a fast growing tropical plant, can grow
up in drought and dry conditions. Due to its abundance in nutritional compositions,
the Napier grass is the ideal, non-food crop feedstock for biogas production. The
anaerobic digestion of Napier grass with varying the grass content in the range
of 5 - 15 % (w/v) was carried out in 500 mL batch reactors. The fresh grass was
harvested after 45-d plantation, grounded in 0.5 to 1 mm diameter size before fermentation
in mesophilic condition. Solid content of the grass influences the methane content,
yield and production rate. The optimum condition for the biogas production was found
at 5% solid concentration. Methane content, yield and production rate were 53%,
0.122 L CH4/g TVS, 4.8 mL/h at the optimum condition. Economic analysis of the biogas
obtained from the fermentation as a substitute of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) showed
benefit/cost ratio (B/C ratio) greater than one suggested that the Napier grass
is an economic feasible feedstock for biogas production.
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Identification of temperature stress-induced differentially
expressed genes of tall fescue leaves
Lee Sang-Hoon, ChoiGi Jun, KimKi-Yong, JiHee Chung, Park Hyung Soo, Lee Dong-Gi
and Lee Ki-Won
In the present study, we investigated temperature stress-responsible
differentially expressed genes (DEGs) using annealing control primer (ACP)-based
differentially display reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technique
in tall fescue leaves. Using 120 ACPs set, 10 genes were up or down regulated under
cold or heat stresses followed by sequencing to investigate functional information.
In cold stress, each three DEGs were up and down regulated respectively. In the
meantime 6 DEGs were up regulated and 2 DEGs were down regulated under heat stress.
Of these DEGs, pathogen related protein10-1, iron-sulfur assembly protein lacA,
ABC transporter C family member 14, lipoxygenase 11, protein cornichon-like protein
and uncharacterized protein LOC100823022 were identified. These up-regulated genes
may play a pivotal role in effective resistance mechanism under temperature stress
in tall fescue.
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The Difference Expression Profiles of MicroRNA-206
during the Growth Process of Goat
Ling I. Y. H., Ding J. P., Wang L. J., Liu Y., Zhang Y. H., Zhang Z. J. and Zhang
X. R.
Many miRNAs have been reported for their important roles
in developmental processes in various animals but there is limited information about
goat miRNAs. In this study, the temporal and spatial expression patterns of miR-206
in skeletal muscle (longissimus dorsi) from Anhui white goat and Boer goat were
assessed using Real time quantitative PCR (qPCR) method. In addition, the association
between miR-206 expression and the muscle development was analyzed. The expression
of miR-206 has tissue and time specificity. The expression level in longissimus
dorsi muscle from 360 days goats was the highest while the expression level in neonate
was the lowest. In 180 days goats, miR-206 was abundantly expressed in muscle and
heart, moderately in liver and kidney and weakly in other collected tissues. The
results indicated that miR-206 may be involved in myofibre proliferation and differentiation
and further contribute to skeletal muscle development and phenotype with different
genotypes. The present results provided the theory base for study of miR-206 function.
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