Characterisation of chalcone isomerase gene isolated from Pueraria montana var.lobata plant

Chalcone isomerase (CHI) is well-known as an important enzyme in the biosynthetic pathways such as flavonoid, isoflavonoid, and anthocyanin biosynthesis. The enzyme was investigated in some kinds of plants in Fabaceae but no research was conducted about the CHI gene of Pueraria montana var. lobata (P. lobata) in Vietnam. In order to provide more information and characterisation of the gene, our study isolated the CHI gene by RT-PCR and Sangersequencing. The sequence of the CHIgene was analysed with nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences to find the main domains. A full-length CDS of CHI gene from P. lobata is 672 bp encoded 224 amino acids. By using bioinformatic tools to compare, the isolated gene shared 99.7% homology with the same species reference (code D63577.1). Two different nucleotides in the gene were altered the amino acids in the protein, but the differences have not happened in active sites. Additionally, the conserved amino acids related to active catalysis of a hydrogen bond network also appeared in the P. lobataCHI gene. SWISS-MODEL was used to build the complete protein modeling showing that P. lobataCHI protein was the most similar with CHI of Medicago sativa - was defined structure in which all alpha-helix and beta-helix were completelyhomologies.

PSXI-11 Assessing in situ rumen degradability of late season kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata)

Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) is an invasive weed species native to eastern Asia affecting much of the southeastern United States. Its broad leaves and viny growth allow it to outcompete native plant species for sunlight and nutrients. Kudzu, however, is a leguminous plant, making it a potential feedstock for ruminant species. Browsing ruminants in areas affected by kudzu could benefit animal productivity while serving to ameliorate rapid plant growth. This study specifically sought to assess the overall rumen degradability, rate of digestion, digestible fraction, and indigestible fraction using an in situ methodology. In situ rumen degradability was analyzed using four ruminally fistulated steers as individual experimental units over two repeated trials. Samples were incubated at 1, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 h. Kudzu used in these trials was collected during September, making analysis in this study a reflection of degradability toward the end of the growing season. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with repeated measures showing no significant differences between steers or trials (P > 0.05). Overall degradability across all steers and times was 69.79%. Significant changes in dry matter disappearance across all steers were observed at 1, 12, and 24 h (P < 0.05) with values of 33.86, 64.78, and 74.26%, respectively, and highest observed degradability at 72 h (79.55%). Incubation times between 24 and 72 h were not used in determining rate of digestion as dry matter disappearances throughout these times were not significantly different (P > 0.05). Rate of digestion (kd) was determined, using linear regression, to be 1.68% ∙ h-1 along with a digestible fraction (Do) of 28.29% and indigestible fraction (U) of 22.03%. The results of this study reflect that kudzu maintains a relatively high level of rumen degradability toward seasonal senescence, making it a functional feedstock even into the cooler months.

Drivers of Foliar Fungal Endophytic Communities of Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) in the Southeast United States

Fungal endophytes play important roles in plant fitness and plant–microbe interactions. Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) is a dominant, abundant, and highly aggressive invasive plant in the Southeast United States. Kudzu serves as a pathogen reservoir that impacts economically important leguminous crops. We conducted the first investigations on kudzu fungal endophytes (Illumina MiSeq—ITS2) to elucidate drivers of endophytic communities across the heart of the invasive range in the Southeast United States (TN, MS, AL, GA). We tested the impacts of multiple environmental parameters (Chlorophyll, NO3−, K+, soil pH, leaf area, host genotype, traffic intensity, and geographic location) on foliar endophyte communities. Endophytic communities were diverse and structured by many factors in our PerMANOVA analyses, but location, genotype, and traffic (proxy for pollution) were the strongest drivers of community composition (R2 = 0.152, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.129, p < 0.001, and R2 = 0.126, p < 0.001, respectively). Further, we examined the putative ecological interactions between endophytic fungi and plant pathogens. We identify numerous OTUs that are positively and strongly associated with pathogen occurrence, largely within the families Montagnulaceae and Tremellales incertae sedis. Taken together, these data suggest location, host genetics and local pollution play instrumental roles in structuring communities, and integrative plant management must consider these factors when developing management strategies.

A Promising View of Kudzu Plant, Pueraria montana var. lobata (Willd.) Sanjappa & Pradeep: Flavonoid Phytochemical Compounds, Taxonomic Data, Traditional Uses and Potential Biological Activities for Future Cosmetic Application

Pueraria montana var. lobata is widely known as kudzu especially in Japan, China, Korea, and other Asian countries. This plant is an ingredient for traditional food and an herbal ingredient for traditional medicines, particular in Japan and China. There are a few reports on its cosmetic uses. Interestingly, many phytochemical compounds from this plant have been continuously reported, particularly flavonoid compounds, which are well-known as potential bioactive ingredients for cosmetics. This work aims to illustrate promising views of kudzu plant, focusing on the diversity of flavonoid phytochemical compounds, taxonomic data, traditional uses, and potential biological activities for future cosmetic applications, i.e., antioxidant, antiglycation, skin regeneration, and melanogenesis inhibitory activities.

55 The influence of kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) age on in situ rumen degradation

Early and late season kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) leaves were collected to analyze dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in situ rumen disappearance to assess kudzu quality. Four studies were conducted during different growing seasons [2 repeated early season (ES); 2 repeated late season (LS) to determine age variability effects. Kudzu collected from 7 middle Tennessee counties were incubated in the rumen for designated lengths of time (0.25, 1, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h) to determine total rumen degradation (%) and rate of disappearance (% / h). Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with repeated measures. Regression analysis was used to determine degradation rate. Overall season effects (across incubation times) for dry matter disappearance (DMD) were significantly different (P < 0.0001). Significant season by incubation time interactions were exhibited for total DMD at 12 (P < 0.0001), 24 (P = 0.0004), 36 (P = 0.0055), 48 (P = 0.0209), and 72 h (P = 0.0384) incubation, with an average rumen degradability of ES kudzu being 9.75% higher than LS between 12 and 72 h. Slope regression between 1 and 24 h determined a rumen degradation rate of 2.41% / h across both seasons, with no significant seasonal difference (P = 0.3396). These results are indicative that ES kudzu is more highly rumen degradable than LS, as evidenced by the significant season by incubation time interactions between 12 and 72 h of incubation. Although there are significant seasonal effects on kudzu DMD during certain incubation times, DMD overall for ES and LS is still indicative of high rumen degradability with an average of 81.45% at 72 h across both seasons. Season effects were minimal for NDF, ADF, and CP rumen disappearance.

148 The influence of kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) age on in situ rumen degradation

Early and late season kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobata) leaves were collected to analyze dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in situ rumen disappearance to assess kudzu quality. Four studies were conducted during different growing seasons [2 repeated early season (ES); 2 repeated late season (LS) to determine age variability effects. Kudzu collected from 7 middle Tennessee counties were incubated in the rumen for designated lengths of time (0.25, 1, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 72 h) to determine total rumen degradation (%) and rate of disappearance (% / h). Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with repeated measures. Regression analysis was used to determine degradation rate. Overall season effects (across incubation times) for dry matter disappearance (DMD) were significantly different (P < 0.0001). Significant season by incubation time interactions were exhibited for total DMD at 12 (P < 0.0001), 24 (P = 0.0004), 36 (P = 0.0055), 48 (P = 0.0209), and 72 h (P = 0.0384) incubation, with an average rumen degradability of ES kudzu being 9.75% higher than LS between 12 and 72 h. Slope regression between 1 and 24 h determined a rumen degradation rate of 2.41% / h across both seasons, with no significant seasonal difference (P = 0.3396). These results are indicative that ES kudzu is more highly rumen degradable than LS, as evidenced by the significant season by incubation time interactions between 12 and 72 h of incubation. Although there are significant seasonal effects on kudzu DMD during certain incubation times, DMD overall for ES and LS is still indicative of high rumen degradability with an average of 81.45% at 72 h across both seasons. Season effects were minimal for NDF, ADF, and CP rumen disappearance.