Genome-wide investigation of microRNAs and expression profiles during rhizome development in ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)

Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, non-coding small functional RNAs that govern the post-transcriptional regulatory system of gene expression and control the growth and development of plants. Ginger is an herb that is well-known for its flavor and medicinal properties. The genes involved in ginger rhizome development and secondary metabolism have been discovered, but the genome-wide identification of miRNAs and their overall expression profiles and targets during ginger rhizome development are largely unknown. In this study, we used BGISEQ-500 technology to perform genome-wide identification of miRNAs from the leaf, stem, root, flower, and rhizome of ginger during three development stages. Results In total, 104 novel miRNAs and 160 conserved miRNAs in 28 miRNA families were identified. A total of 181 putative target genes for novel miRNAs and 2772 putative target genes for conserved miRNAs were predicted. Transcriptional factors were the most abundant target genes of miRNAs, and 17, 9, 8, 4, 13, 8, 3 conserved miRNAs and 5, 7, 4, 5, 5, 15, 9 novel miRNAs showed significant tissue-specific expression patterns in leaf, stem, root, flower, and rhizome. Additionally, 53 miRNAs were regarded as rhizome development-associated miRNAs, which mostly participate in metabolism, signal transduction, transport, and catabolism, suggesting that these miRNAs and their target genes play important roles in the rhizome development of ginger. Twelve candidate miRNA target genes were selected, and then, their credibility was confirmed using qRT-PCR. As the result of qRT-PCR analysis, the expression of 12 candidate target genes showed an opposite pattern after comparison with their miRNAs. The rhizome development system of ginger was observed to be governed by miR156, miR319, miR171a_2, miR164, and miR529, which modulated the expression of the SPL, MYB, GRF, SCL, and NAC genes, respectively. Conclusion This is a deep genome-wide investigation of miRNA and identification of miRNAs involved in rhizome development in ginger. We identified 52 rhizome-related miRNAs and 392 target genes, and this provides an important basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms of the miRNA target genes that mediate rhizome development in ginger.

Composition of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Ginger), Soil Properties and Soil Enzyme Activities Grown in Different Concentration of Mineral Fertilizers

Ginger is rich in different chemical compounds such as phenolic compounds, terpenes, polysaccharides, lipids, organic acids, minerals, and vitamins. The present study investigated the effect of mineral fertilizers on the content of mineral elements in the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Roscoe, soil enzymes activity, and soil properties in Surkhandarya Region, Uzbekistan. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first in Uzbekistan to investigate the mineral elements of ginger rhizome inhabiting Termez district, Surkhandarya region. A Field experiment was conducted at the Surkhandarya experimental station research Institute. Four treatments have been studied (Control with no fertilizers (T-1), N75P50K50 kg/ha (T-2), N125P100K100 kg/ha (T-3) and N100P75K75 + B3Zn6Fe6 kg/ha (T-4)). Results showed that T-4 treatment significantly increased ginger rhizome K, Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Na, Mn, Zn, Si, Li, and V content as compared to all other treatments and control. T-3 treatment significantly increased Mo, Ga, and Ag content in comparison to other treatments. Soil enzymes showed a significant increase for all treatments against control, while T-4 treatment has recorded the highest enzyme activity in comparison to all other treatments in urease, invertase, and catalase content. Soil chemical properties have significantly changed for all treatments against the non-cultivated soil and the zero fertilizers plantation with variation among different treatments. Results showed that ginger root is rich in minerals and can be used as a great potential for nutritional supplements and soil enrichment. This study suggest that combination of macro-microelements have the potential to increase the content of mineral elements in the rhizomes of ginger in field conditions.

Genomic, Antimicrobial, and Aphicidal Traits of Bacillus velezensis ATR2, and Its Biocontrol Potential against Ginger Rhizome Rot Disease Caused by Bacillus pumilus

Ginger rhizome rot disease, caused by the pathogen Bacilluspumilus GR8, could result in severe rot of ginger rhizomes and heavily threaten ginger production. In this study, we identified and characterized a new Bacillus velezensis strain, designated ATR2. Genome analysis revealed B. velezensis ATR2 harbored a series of genes closely related to promoting plant growth and triggering plant immunity. Meanwhile, ten gene clusters involved in the biosynthesis of various secondary metabolites (surfactin, bacillomycin, fengycin, bacillibactin, bacilysin, difficidin, macrolactin, bacillaene, plantazolicin, and amylocyclicin) and two clusters encoding a putative lipopeptide and a putative phosphonate which might be explored as novel bioactive compounds were also present in the ATR2 genome. Moreover, B. velezensis ATR2 showed excellent antagonistic activities against multiple plant pathogenic bacteria, plant pathogenic fungi, human pathogenic bacteria, and human pathogenic fungus. B. velezensis ATR2 was also efficacious in control of aphids. The antagonistic compound from B. velezensis ATR2 against B.pumilus GR8 was purified and identified as bacillomycin D. In addition, B. velezensis ATR2 exhibited excellent biocontrol efficacy against ginger rhizome rot disease on ginger slices. These findings showed the potential of further applications of B. velezensis ATR2 as a biocontrol agent in agricultural diseases and pests management.

Combined Metabolome and Transcriptome Analyses of Young, Mature, and Old Rhizome Tissues of Zingiber officinale Roscoe

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is known for its unique pungent taste and useability in traditional Chinese medicine. The main compounds in ginger rhizome can be classified as gingerols, diarylheptanoids, and volatile oils. The composition and concentrations of the bioactive compounds in ginger rhizome might vary according to the age of the rhizome. In this regard, the knowledge on the transcriptomic signatures and accumulation of metabolites in young (Y), mature (M), and old (O) ginger rhizomes is scarce. This study used HiSeq Illumina Sequencing and UPLC-MS/MS analyses to delineate how the expression of key genes changes in Y, M, and O ginger rhizome tissues and how it affects the accumulation of metabolites in key pathways. The transcriptome sequencing identified 238,157 genes of which 13,976, 11,243, and 24,498 were differentially expressed (DEGs) in Y vs. M, M vs. O, and Y vs. O, respectively. These DEGs were significantly enriched in stilbenoid, diarylheptanoid, and gingerol biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant-hormone signal transduction, starch and sucrose metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, and α-linoleic acid metabolism pathways. The metabolome profiling identified 661 metabolites of which 311, 386, and 296 metabolites were differentially accumulated in Y vs. M, Y vs. O, and M vs. O, respectively. These metabolites were also enriched in the pathways mentioned above. The DEGs and DAMs enrichment showed that the gingerol content is higher in Y rhizome, whereas the Y, M, and O tissues differ in linoleic and α-linoleic acid accumulation. Similarly, the starch and sucrose metabolism pathway is variably regulated in Y, M, and O rhizome tissues. Our results showed that ginger rhizome growth slows down (Y > M > O) probably due to changes in phytohormone signaling. Young ginger rhizome is the most transcriptionally and metabolically active tissue as compared to M and O. The transitioning from Y to M and O affects the gingerol, sugars, linoleic acid, and α-linoleic acid concentrations and related gene expressions.

Growth Performance Characteristics of Cockerel Chicken Fed Diets containing Ginger Rhizome and Garlic Bulb powder

The use of antibiotics in poultry production has raised global concern due to health risk associated with its residues in poultry products. A study was conducted to assess the growth performance characteristics of cockerel fed ginger and garlic based diets for a period of 12 weeks. A total of 180 day old Isa white cockerels were randomly allotted to 4 experimental treatment diets. Each dietary treatment was replicated 3 times with 15 chicks per replicate in a completely randomized design. Diet one had 0% ginger rhizome and garlic bulb powder (T1), diet 2 had 2% ginger rhizome powder (T2), diet 3 had 2% garlic bulb powder (T3) while diet 4 had 2% mixture (1:1) of ginger rhizome powder and garlic bulb powder (T4). The weights were measured and weight gain calculated on weekly basis. In addition, the feed intake and feed conversion ratio were measured and calculated on weekly basis. At starter phase, average initial weight, average final weight, average weekly feed intake and average daily feed intake were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by the dietary treatments. However, Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was significantly (P<0.05) highest (2.09) among birds placed on T2 while the lowest mean value of 1.30 was recorded in T3. At finisher phase, the average initial weight, average weekly feed intake, average daily feed intake and FCR were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the experimental diets. However, birds fed T4 had the highest (P<0.05) mean value of average final live weight (1796.67g) while the least value (1553.33g) was obtained in birds fed T3. The average daily weight gain were significantly (p<0.05) highest 37.14 g T2. It was concluded that ginger and garlic powder can be used successfully in cockerel diets at 2 % level of inclusion to enhance growth performance characteristics especially at finisher phase.

Pharmacological Aspects of 6-Gingerol: A Review

Habitual consumption of raw fruits as well as vegetables can trim down the threat of many diseases. Ginger is consumed globally as a cuisine and herbal medicine. It is rich in pungent phenolic phytochemical substances together called gingerols. 6-Gingerol (1-[4’-hydroxy-3’-methoxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-3- decanone) is the chief pharmacologically-active moiety of ginger. Molecularly, gingerol is a relative of capsaicin and piperine, the compounds which are alkaloids, though the bioactive pathways are unconnected. It is normally found as pungent yellow oil in the ginger rhizome, but can also form a low-melting crystalline solid. Previous studies have suggested ample of therapeutic activities including anticancer, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation. 6-Gingerol has been found to possess anticancer activities via its effect on a variety of biological pathways involved in apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, cytotoxic activity and inhibition of angiogenesis. Thus, due to its efficacy and regulation of multiple targets, as well as its safety for human use, 6-gingerol has received considerable interest as a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention and/or treatment of various diseases. Overall, this review encapsulates different therapeutic and pharmacological facets of 6-gingerol along with its possible mechanism of action.

Solid Soap Formulation with Ethanol Extract of Ginger Rhizome (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) Combination of Virgin Coconut Oil (Vco) and Palm Oil

Soap is a type of cleaning product that is used to clean dust, oil, dirt, germs, and bacteria that stick to the skin. Ginger is a plant that contains a wide range of antibacterial compounds including E. Coli, Staphylococcus aureus, B. Cereus, L monocytogenes and Candida albicans bacteria. Soap is made by chemically reacting sodium or potassium compounds with fatty acids derived from vegetable oil or animal oil. This study aims to determine the physical characteristics of solid soap with ginger rhizome extract with a combination of coconut oil and palm oil and analyze the panelist’s response to the soap produced. In the third week of observation, it is known that the water content ranges from 0,07%-0,1% with foam stability 71,11%-88,23% and pH 8,96-9,08. The most preferred solid soap based on the response of the panelist is soap from a mixture of coconut oil and palm oil with a ratio of 15:5.

Penerapan Teknologi Alat Kristalisasi Dalam Upaya Pengolahan Produk Dalam Pangan Serbuk Herbal Instan di Kelurahan Kereng Bangkirai

One of the ginger rhizome processing technologies is by making instant drink powder. Instant drinks food processed products in powder, practical in presenting and have long-saving power and easily dissolved in hot, cold and warm water. However, making ginger powder is done manually using human power in stirring ginger water until it becomes a powder for a long time, causing the moving process to be unstable. Therefore, the crystallizer tool is designed to help the manual stirring process increase the quality of instant ginger powder products. In Kereng Bangkirai Village, Palangka Raya City, the community service activities were carried out in lectures/socialization/counseling, demonstration tools, leaflet distribution, pre-test / post-test evaluations, and feedback. Through this, community service can convey scientific information for the community so that two-way communication is established between the source person and participants of the activity, especially mothers in Kereng Bangkirai Village, Palangka Raya City, to remain productive independent in increasing the economy of the family business. In addition, it can also be one of the business opportunities in individuals and groups involved in UMKM, which can later be packaged with attractive. Keywords: Ginger Powder, Crystallizer, Instant drink Abstrak Salah satu teknologi pengolahan rimpang jahe adalah dengan pembuatan serbuk minuman instan. Minuman instan produk olahan pangan yang berbentuk serbuk, praktis dalam penyajian dan memiliki daya simpan yang lama dan mudah larut dalam air panas, dingin maupun hangat. Namun, proses pembuatan serbuk jahe yang dilakukan secara manual menggunakan tenaga manusia dalam mengaduk air jahe sampai menjadi serbuk dalam waktu cukup lama sehingga menyebabkan proses pengadukan menjadi tidak stabil. Oleh karena itu, dirancang alat kristalizer untuk membantu proses pengadukan manual sehingga kualitas produk serbuk jahe instan dapat meningkat. Kegiatan pengabdian masyarakat yang dilaksanakan di Kelurahan Kereng Bangkirai Kota Palangka Raya ini dalam bentuk ceramah/sosialisasi/penyuluhan, demontrasi alat, pembagian leaflet, evaluasi pre-test/pos-test dan umpan balik. Melalui kegiatan pengabdian kepada masyarakat ini dapat sebagai sarana dalam menyampaikan informasi secara ilmiah bagi masyarakat sehingga terjalin komunikasi dua arah antara narasumber dan peserta kegiatan, khususnya ibu-ibu di Kelurahan Kereng Bangkirai Kota Palangka Raya untuk tetap produktif dan mandiri dalam meningkatkan perekonomian usaha keluarga. Selain itu, juga dapat sebagai salah satu peluang usaha dalam individu maupun kelompok yang terlibat dalam UMKM yang nantinya dapat dikemas dengan menarik. Kata kunci: serbuk jahe, kristalizer, minuman instan