Morphological, Biochemical, and Metabolomic Strategies of the Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L., cv. Deglet Nour) Roots Response to Salt Stress

Numerous Tunisian arid and semi-arid regions are subjected to soil salinity. Thus, they are known for halophytes plants cultivation, including date palms. Phoenix dactylifera L., cv. ‘Deglet Nour’, is a valuable Tunisian cultivar subjected to high salinity levels. In this way, our purpose is to evaluate the response of its roots to long period exposition to increasing salt concentrations. We started by studying the effects of 4 g/L, 8 g/L, 12 g/L, and 16 g/L NaCl on the parameters of germination (Growth rate—GR, Seed Mortality Rate—SLM, Germination Mean Time—GMT, and Germination Speed—GS) of date palm seeds for a 2-month period. We found that 4 g/L NaCl did not affect the seeds germination, and, hereinafter, the parameters of germination and the radicle length decreased with the increase of NaCl concentrations and experiment time. Then, we demonstrated a high antioxidative enzymes CAT and SOD production in case of salt stress augmentation. Lastly, a metabolomic approach was carried out by LC-HRMS, followed by an untargeted and targeted analysis using the XCMS online and MZmine tools, respectively. The roots chemical composition was compared using PCA. We identified 25 secondary metabolites, divided into 3 categories. Metabolites known for their role in salt stress alleviation include δ-tocotrienol, metabolites identified in salt stress for the first time, and other unknown metabolites.

Construction and potential application of bacterial superoxide dismutase expressed in Bacillus subtilis against mycotoxins

Oxidative stress, which could be evoked by numerous inducements including mycotoxins like deoxynivalenol (DON), cause severe damages to organisms. Antioxidants are promising protectants against oxidative stress that could be applied in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food and feed industries. In this study, a thermostable and acidophilic superoxide dismutase (AaSOD) was used to develop an antioxidant product that can potentially protect organisms from oxidative stress related damages. The enzyme was successfully expressed as an extracelluar protein in Bacillus subtilis with a high yield. To obtain a feasible protocol for industrial production of AaSOD, the fermentation mediums that are commonly used for culturing B. subtilis were screened, the feasibility of expressing AaSOD without antibiotic as selection pressure was confirmed, and the effect of using lactose as an inducer instead of isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactoside (IPTG) was investigated. Batch fermentation was conducted to validate the optimized conditions for AaSOD production, and 6530 U mL-1 of SOD activity was obtained in the fermentation broth. The dry powder product of AaSOD with an activity of 22202 U g-1 was prepared by spray-drying and was administrated on zebrafish to test its function as a protectant against DON, and thus gained a significant redress of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation induced by DON. Taken together, this study provides a feasible protocol to prepare the AaSOD-based antioxidant product that is potentially applied in livestock industry.

Evaluation of prophylactic efficacy of cinnamaldehyde in murine model against Paradendryphiella arenariae mycotoxin tenuazonic acid-induced oxidative stress and organ toxicity

Cinnamaldehyde (Cin) is a natural product obtained from cinnamon and is reported to have a potential anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effect. The present study investigated the possible protective role of Cin against tenuazonic acid-induced mycotoxicity in the murine model. Tenuazonic acid (TeA), a toxin produced by Alternaria is a common contaminant in tomato and tomato-based products. Here, Swiss male mice were administered with TeA isolated from Paradendryphiella arenariae (MW504999) (source-tomato) through injection (238 µg/kg BW) and ingestion (475 µg/kg BW) routes for 2 weeks. Thereafter, the prophylaxis groups were treated with Cin (210 mg/kg BW). The experiment was carried out for 8 weeks. The treated groups were compared to the oral and intra-peritoneal experimental groups that received the toxin solely for 8 weeks. Haematological, histopathological and biochemical aspects of the experimental and the control mice were analysed. Sub-chronic intoxication of mice with TeA showed elevated malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) production; abnormal levels of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT). Treatment with Cin reversed TeA-induced alterations of antioxidant defense enzyme activities and significantly prevented TeA-induced organ damage. Thus, cinnamaldehyde showed therapeutic effects and toxicity reduction in TeA induced mycotoxicosis.

Dormant Sprigging of Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass

Many bermudagrass (Cynodon sp.) and zoysiagrass (Zoysia sp.) cultivars are not available as seed and are commonly planted vegetatively using sprigs, especially for sod production or in sand-based systems. Sprig planting is typically done in late spring or early summer, but this can result in an extended grow-in period and delay the use of the turf in the first growing season. The objective of this study was to determine if sprigs of bermudagrass and zoysiagrass could be planted earlier in the year, during the dormancy phase, to hasten establishment. A field study was carried out in Fayetteville, AR, in 2014 and 2016 using ‘Tifway’ hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon × Cynodon transvaalensis) and ‘Meyer’ zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica), and in Guangzhou, China, in 2015, using ‘Tifway’ hybrid bermudagrass and ‘Lanyin III’ zoysiagrass (Z. japonica). Sprigs were planted in March (dormant), May (spring) and July (summer) in Fayetteville, and in January (dormant), March (spring) and May (summer) in Guangzhou. Sprigging rates of 30, 60, and 90 m3·ha−1 were tested at both locations and across all planting dates. Bermudagrass was less affected by planting date, with dormant, spring or summer plantings effectively establishing full cover in the first growing season. Zoysiagrass that was sprigged in the dormant season was successfully established by the end of the first growing season while a full zoysiagrass cover was not achieved with either spring or summer plantings in Arkansas. Dormant sprigging reached full coverage as fast or faster than traditional spring or summer planting dates at both locations, indicating that bermudagrass and zoysiagrass establishment can be achieved earlier in the growing season using dormant sprigging methods.

N-docosahexaenoylethanolamine reduces neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment after mild traumatic brain injury in rats

At present, there is a growing interest in the study of the neurotropic activity of polyunsaturated fatty acids ethanolamides (N-acylethanolamines). N-docosahexaenoylethanolamine (DHEA, synaptamide) is an endogenous metabolite and structural analogue of anandamide, a widely studied endocannabinoid derived from arachidonic acid. The results of this study demonstrate that DHEA, when administered subcutaneously (10 mg/kg/day, 7 days), promotes cognitive recovery in rats subjected to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). In the cerebral cortex of experimental animals, we analyzed the dynamics of Iba-1-positive microglia activity changes and the expression of pro-inflammatory markers (IL1β, IL6, CD86). We used immortalized mouse microglial cells (SIM-A9) to assess the effects of DHEA on LPS-induced cytokines/ROS/NO/nitrite, as well as on CD206 (anti-inflammatory microglia) and the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) production. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that DHEA: (1) improves indicators of anxiety and long-term memory; (2) inhibits the pro-inflammatory microglial cells activity; (3) decrease the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines/ROS/NO/nitrites; (4) increase CD206 and SOD production. In general, the results of this study indicate that DHEA has a complex effect on the neuroinflammation processes, which indicates its high therapeutic potential.

Sod production in Brazil

The history of sod production in Brazil is somewhat recent when compared with conventional agricultural crops. This review describes the beginning of sod production in Brazil and the introduction of Emerald grass, as well as the emergence of Sod Growers Associations, which coincides with the marked expansion of the sector. The grass species and cultivars grown in Brazil are also presented and the main characteristics described. The text also reports few data in sod production area in the country, providing an overview planting evolution and characteristics of the market.