scholarly journals Probing the Response of the Amphibious Plant Butomus umbellatus to Nutrient Enrichment and Shading by Integrating Eco-Physiological With Metabolomic Analyses

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paraskevi Manolaki ◽  
Georgia Tooulakou ◽  
Caroline Urup Byberg ◽  
Franziska Eller ◽  
Brian K. Sorrell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Enrichment ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
Physiological Adaptation ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Physiological Parameter ◽  
Natural Ecosystem ◽  
Amphibious Plants

Amphibious plants, living in land-water ecotones, have to cope with challenging and continuously changing growth conditions in their habitats with respect to nutrient and light availability. They have thus evolved a variety of mechanisms to tolerate and adapt to these changes. Therefore, the study of these plants is a major area of ecophysiology and environmental ecological research. However, our understanding of their capacity for physiological adaptation and tolerance remains limited and requires systemic approaches for comprehensive analyses. To this end, in this study, we have conducted a mesocosm experiment to analyze the response of Butomus umbellatus, a common amphibious species in Denmark, to nutrient enrichment and shading. Our study follows a systematic integration of morphological (including plant height, leaf number, and biomass accumulation), ecophysiological (photosynthesis-irradiance responses, leaf pigment content, and C and N content in plant organs), and leaf metabolomic measurements using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (39 mainly primary metabolites), based on bioinformatic methods. No studies of this type have been previously reported for this plant species. We observed that B. umbellatus responds to nutrient enrichment and light reduction through different mechanisms and were able to identify its nutrient enrichment acclimation threshold within the applied nutrient gradient. Up to that threshold, the morpho-physiological response to nutrient enrichment was profound, indicating fast-growing trends (higher growth rates and biomass accumulation), but only few parameters changed significantly from light to shade [specific leaf area (SLA); quantum yield (φ)]. Metabolomic analysis supported the morpho-physiological results regarding nutrient overloading, indicating also subtle changes due to shading not directly apparent in the other measurements. The combined profile analysis revealed leaf metabolite and morpho-physiological parameter associations. In this context, leaf lactate, currently of uncertain role in higher plants, emerged as a shading acclimation biomarker, along with SLA and φ. The study enhances both the ecophysiology methodological toolbox and our knowledge of the adaptive capacity of amphibious species. It demonstrates that the educated combination of physiological with metabolomic measurements using bioinformatic approaches is a promising approach for ecophysiology research, enabling the elucidation of discriminatory metabolic shifts to be used for early diagnosis and even prognosis of natural ecosystem responses to climate change.

Developmental Plasticity and Evolution

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Jane West-Eberhard
Keyword(s):  
Adaptive Evolution ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Developmental Plasticity ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Critical Discussion ◽  
Physiological Adaptation ◽  
Modular Organization ◽  
Random Mutation ◽  
Environmental Induction ◽  
Development And Evolution

The first comprehensive synthesis on development and evolution: it applies to all aspects of development, at all levels of organization and in all organisms, taking advantage of modern findings on behavior, genetics, endocrinology, molecular biology, evolutionary theory and phylogenetics to show the connections between developmental mechanisms and evolutionary change. This book solves key problems that have impeded a definitive synthesis in the past. It uses new concepts and specific examples to show how to relate environmentally sensitive development to the genetic theory of adaptive evolution and to explain major patterns of change. In this book development includes not only embryology and the ontogeny of morphology, sometimes portrayed inadequately as governed by "regulatory genes," but also behavioral development and physiological adaptation, where plasticity is mediated by genetically complex mechanisms like hormones and learning. The book shows how the universal qualities of phenotypes--modular organization and plasticity--facilitate both integration and change. Here you will learn why it is wrong to describe organisms as genetically programmed; why environmental induction is likely to be more important in evolution than random mutation; and why it is crucial to consider both selection and developmental mechanism in explanations of adaptive evolution. This book satisfies the need for a truly general book on development, plasticity and evolution that applies to living organisms in all of their life stages and environments. Using an immense compendium of examples on many kinds of organisms, from viruses and bacteria to higher plants and animals, it shows how the phenotype is reorganized during evolution to produce novelties, and how alternative phenotypes occupy a pivotal role as a phase of evolution that fosters diversification and speeds change. The arguments of this book call for a new view of the major themes of evolutionary biology, as shown in chapters on gradualism, homology, environmental induction, speciation, radiation, macroevolution, punctuation, and the maintenance of sex. No other treatment of development and evolution since Darwin's offers such a comprehensive and critical discussion of the relevant issues. Developmental Plasticity and Evolution is designed for biologists interested in the development and evolution of behavior, life-history patterns, ecology, physiology, morphology and speciation. It will also appeal to evolutionary paleontologists, anthropologists, psychologists, and teachers of general biology.

scholarly journals Combined Production of Astaxanthin and β-Carotene in a New Strain of the Microalga Bracteacoccus aggregatus BM5/15 (IPPAS C-2045) Cultivated in Photobioreactor

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 643
Author(s):  
Konstantin Chekanov ◽  
Daniil Litvinov ◽  
Tatiana Fedorenko ◽  
Olga Chivkunova ◽  
Elena Lobakova
Keyword(s):  
Bubble Column ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
Natural Antioxidants ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Stage Scheme ◽  
Green Microalga ◽  
Animal Feeding ◽  
Carotenoid Synthesis ◽  
Bubble Column Photobioreactor ◽  
Β Carotene

Carotenoids astaxanthin and β-carotene are widely used natural antioxidants. They are key components of functional food, cosmetics, drugs and animal feeding. They hold leader positions on the world carotenoid market. In current work, we characterize the new strain of the green microalga Bracteacoccus aggregatus BM5/15 and propose the method of its culturing in a bubble-column photobioreactor for simultaneous production of astaxanthin and β-carotene. Culture was monitored by light microscopy and pigment kinetics. Fatty acid profile was evaluated by tandem gas-chromatography–mass spectrometry. Pigments were obtained by the classical two-stage scheme of autotrophic cultivation. At the first, vegetative, stage biomass accumulation occurred. Maximum specific growth rate and culture productivity at this stage were 100–200 mg∙L−1∙day−1, and 0.33 day−1, respectively. At the second, inductive, stage carotenoid synthesis was promoted. Maximal carotenoid fraction in the biomass was 2.2–2.4%. Based on chromatography data, astaxanthin and β-carotene constituted 48 and 13% of total carotenoid mass, respectively. Possible pathways of astaxanthin synthesis are proposed based on carotenoid composition. Collectively, a new strain B. aggregatus BM5/15 is a potential biotechnological source of two natural antioxidants, astaxanthin and β-carotene. The results give the rise for further works on optimization of B. aggregatus cultivation on an industrial scale.

scholarly journals Impacts of vegetation and palaeohydrological changes on the n-alkane composition of a Holocene peat sequence from the Upper Vistula Valley (southern Poland)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylwia Skreczko ◽  
Artur Szymczyk ◽  
Weronika Nadłonek
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Change ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Large River ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Botanical Composition ◽  
Central European ◽  
Plant Macrofossil ◽  
Southern Poland ◽  
River Valleys ◽  
Palaeoenvironmental Conditions

Abstract Purpose The analysis of n-alkanes in palaeoenvironmental studies of peatlands is mainly limited to ombrogenous peatlands which are a rare feature in the environment. Using n-alkane and plant macrofossil analysis, we have tracked changes in the environment in the valley of a large Central European river. We tested the possibilities for applying such studies to low-moor bogs which are the most commonly occurring type of bog in the world. Materials and methods Representative peat samples were taken from two profiles in a peatland located in the Vistula Valley (southern Poland), and they were analysed for the occurrence and distribution of biomarkers. The distribution of n-alkanes was determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The botanical composition of the samples was determined by analysis of plant macrofossil remains, and the degree of peat decomposition was also determined. Results and discussion Samples of low-moor peat were characterised by a prevalence of medium- and long-chain n-alkane homologues, which is typical for higher plants. The variable values of the CPI, CPI (25–31), and the C23/C25 ratio have provided information on the stages of formation of the Zapadź bog. The source of n-alkane differentiation is vegetation change related to palaeohydrological dynamics and palaeoenvironmental conditions within the peatland. Conclusions We have shown that analysis of n-alkanes can be successfully used in low-moor bogs as a complement to palaeobotanical and palaeozoological methods. The bringing together of these types of research enables changes in the ecosystems of large river valleys to be tracked.

scholarly journals Impaired chloroplast positioning affects photosynthetic capacity and regulation of the central carbohydrate metabolism during cold acclimation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia Kitashova ◽  
Katja Schneider ◽  
Lisa Fürtauer ◽  
Laura Schröder ◽  
Tim Scheibenbogen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbohydrate Metabolism ◽  
Cold Acclimation ◽  
Metabolic Regulation ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Biomass Accumulation ◽  
Sucrose Phosphate Synthase ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Reduced Rate ◽  
Central Carbohydrate Metabolism

AbstractPhotosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism of higher plants need to be tightly regulated to prevent tissue damage during environmental changes. The intracellular position of chloroplasts changes due to a changing light regime. Chloroplast avoidance and accumulation response under high and low light, respectively, are well known phenomena, and deficiency of chloroplast movement has been shown to result in photodamage and reduced biomass accumulation. Yet, effects of chloroplast positioning on underlying metabolic regulation are less well understood. Here, we analysed photosynthesis together with metabolites and enzyme activities of the central carbohydrate metabolism during cold acclimation of the chloroplast unusual positioning 1 (chup1) mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana. We compared cold acclimation under ambient and low light and found that maximum quantum yield of PSII was significantly lower in chup1 than in Col-0 under both conditions. Our findings indicated that net CO2 assimilation in chup1 is rather limited by biochemistry than by photochemistry. Further, cold-induced dynamics of sucrose phosphate synthase differed significantly between both genotypes. Together with a reduced rate of sucrose cycling derived from kinetic model simulations our study provides evidence for a central role of chloroplast positioning for photosynthetic and metabolic acclimation to low temperature.

Antimicrobial activities and phytochemical analysis of extracts from Ormocarpum trichocarpum (Taub.) and Euclea divinorum (Hiern) used as traditional medicine in Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Mhuji Kilonzo ◽  
Chrispinus Rubanza ◽  
Upendo Richard ◽  
Gideon Sangiwa
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Medicine ◽  
Plant Extracts ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Bark Extract ◽  
Phytochemical Analysis ◽  
Root Bark ◽  
Final Volume ◽  
Mic Value

Background: Medicinal plants have been of great value to human healthcare in most parts of the world for thousands of years. In Tanzania, over 12,000 species of higher plants have been reported, and about 10% are estimated to be used as medicines to treat different human health conditions. The present study aimed to determine in vitro antimicrobial activities and phytochemical analysis of Ormocarpum trichocarpum and Euclea divinorum which are commonly used as a traditional medicine in Tanzania. Methods: Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of plants extracts against tested bacterial and fungal species were determined using 96 wells microdilution method. In this method, 50 μL of nutrient and saboraud’s dextrose broth for bacteria and fungus respectively were loaded in each well followed by 50 μL of extract to make final volume of 100 μL. Subsequently 50 μL were transferred from first rows of each well to the second rows and the process was repeated down the columns to the last wells from which 50 μL were discarded. Thereafter, 50 μL of the selected bacterial and fungal suspension was added to each well thus making final volume of 100μL. The lowest concentration which showed no microbe growth was considered as MIC. The study also evaluated phytochemical compounds present in the ethyl acetate extracts from O. trichocarpum stem bark and E. divinorum root bark extract using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Results: It was revealed that 66% of the tested microbes were susceptible to plant extracts at MIC value of 0.39 mg/mL whereas 83% being susceptible to extracts at MIC value of 0.781 mg/mL. Interestingly, four out of 18 tested plant extracts exhibited high antifungal activity below that of the standard antifungal drug, fluconazole. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of various low molecular weight phytochemicals which belongs to six groups of secondary metabolites namely dieterpenes, alphatic hydrocarbons, tetraterpenes, sesquiterpenes, steroid and triterpenes. Conclusion: It was concluded that the presence of various phytochemicals in the tested plant extracts may be associated with pharmacological properties of O. trichocarpum and E. divinorum and therefore justifying ethnomedical usage of such plants.   Keywords: Antibacterial, antifungal, Ormocarpum trichocarpum, Euclea divinorum

scholarly journals Full-Length Transcriptome Sequencing and Different Chemotype Expression Profile Analysis of Genes Related to Monoterpenoid Biosynthesis in Cinnamomum porrectum

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (24) ◽  
pp. 6230
Author(s):  
Fengying Qiu ◽  
Xindong Wang ◽  
Yongjie Zheng ◽  
Hongming Wang ◽  
Xinliang Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Terpene Synthase ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Synthesis Mechanism ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Monoterpene Synthase ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr

Leaves of C. porrectum are rich in essential oils containing monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and aromatic compounds, but the molecular mechanism of terpenoid biosynthesis in C. porrectum is still unclear. In this paper, the differences in the contents and compositions of terpenoids among three chemotypes were analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Furthermore, the differential expression of gene transcripts in the leaf tissues of the three C. porrectum chemotypes were analyzed through a comparison of full-length transcriptomes and expression profiles. The essential oil of the three C. porrectum chemotypes leaves was mainly composed of monoterpenes. In the full-length transcriptome of C. porrectum, 104,062 transcripts with 306,337,921 total bp, an average length of 2944 bp, and an N50 length of 5449 bp, were obtained and 94025 transcripts were annotated. In the eucalyptol and linalool chemotype, the camphor and eucalyptol chemotype, and the camphor and linalool chemotype comparison groups, 21, 22 and 18 terpene synthase (TPS) unigenes were identified respectively. Three monoterpene synthase genes, CpTPS3, CpTPS5 and CpTPS9, were upregulated in the eucalyptol chemotype compared to the linalool chemotype and camphor chemotype. CpTPS1 was upregulated in the camphor chemotype compared to the linalool chemotype and the eucalyptol chemotype. CpTPS4 was upregulated in the linalool chemotype compared to the camphor chemotype and the eucalyptol chemotype. Different unigenes had different expression levels among the three chemotypes, but the unigene expression levels of the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4phosphate (MEP) pathway were generally higher than those of the mevalonate acid (MVA) pathway. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR(qRT-PCR) further validated these expression levels. The present study provides new clues for the functional exploration of the terpenoid synthesis mechanism and key genes in different chemotypes of C. porrectum.

scholarly journals Effect of Different Substrate Mixtures on Volatile Aroma Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Maitake Mushroom

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1037-1046
Author(s):  
Mehmet Zahit Aydın ◽  
Özge Süfer ◽  
Gökhan Baktemur ◽  
Flavien Shimira ◽  
Hatıra Taşkın
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Total Polyphenols ◽  
Maitake Mushroom ◽  
Volatile Aroma ◽  
Substrate Mixtures ◽  
Poplar Sawdust

In the present study, it was aimed to determine the volatile aroma composition and antioxidant activity of Maitake mushroom grown in different substrate mixtures comparatively. Five different substrate mixtures except control were prepared. Total polyphenols and antioxidant activities were specified by Folin-Ciocalteu, FRAP and DPPH methods. Furthermore, analyzes were carried out in both dried and frozen samples. Head Space Solid Phase Micro Extraction technique combined with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was used in the analysis of volatile compounds. In the present study, yield was obtained only from S4 (oak sawdust + wheat stalk + bran at 1:1:1 ratios) and S5 (poplar sawdust + wheat stalk + bran at 1:1:1 ratios) growing mixtures. Therefore, the studies have been continued by comparing only these two mixtures. While the yield in S4 mixture was 55.02 g 1 kg bag-1, it was determined as 124.82 g 1 kg bag-1 in S5 mixture. DPPH analysis results of frozen and dried samples were 7.99±0.08 and 8.19±0.05 µmol TE g-1 DM (S4) and 8.07±0.09 and 8.20±0.06 µmol TE g DM-1 (S5) respectively. In volatile aroma profile analysis, 22 and 32 compounds were detected in S4 and S5, respectively. Ketones were the most found compound groups and its ratio was 68.67% in S4 and 52.37% in S5. The highest percentage among ketones was obtained from 4-nonanone and 3-octanone compounds.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document