Metabolic Disturbance Induced by the Embryo Contributes to the Formation of Chalky Endosperm of a Notched-Belly Rice Mutant

Grain chalkiness is a key quality trait of the rice grain, whereas its underlying mechanism is still not thoroughly understood because of the complex genetic and environmental interactions. We identified a notched-belly (NB) mutant that has a notched-line on the belly of grains. The line dissects the endosperm into two distinct parts, the upper translucent part, and the bottom chalky part in the vicinity of the embryo. Using this mutant, our previous studies clued the negative influence of embryo on the biochemical makeup of the endosperm, suggesting the need for the in-depth study of the embryo effect on the metabolome of developing endosperm. This study continued to use the NB mutant to evolve a novel comparison method to clarify the role of embryo in the formation of a chalky endosperm. Grain samples of the wild-type (WT) and NB were harvested at 10, 20, and 30 days after fertilization (DAF), and then divided into subsamples of the embryo, the upper endosperm, and the bottom endosperm. Using non-targeted metabolomics and whole-genome RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), a nearly complete catalog of expressed metabolites and genes was generated. Results showed that the embryo impaired the storage of sucrose, amino acid, starch, and storage proteins in the bottom endosperm of NB by enhancing the expression of sugar, amino acids, and peptide transporters, and declining the expression of starch, prolamin, and glutelin synthesis-related genes. Importantly, the competitive advantage of the developing embryo in extracting the nutrients from the endosperm, transformed the bottom endosperm into an “exhaustive source” by diverting the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) metabolism from synthetic storage to secondary pathways, resulting in impaired filling of the bottom endosperm and subsequently the formation of chalky tissue. In summary, this study reveals that embryo-induced metabolic shift in the endosperm is associated with the occurrence of grain chalkiness, which is of relevance to the development of high-quality rice by balancing the embryo–endosperm interaction.

The Influence of Germinated Hull-less Barley Sordough Fermentation Conditions on the Microbiota Development

Sourdough plays an important role in quality assurance, especially during developing wholegrain wheat bread products. The value of barley and hull-less barley grains is determined by the low lipid and high carbohydrate (starch and resistant starch) content, balanced amino acid profile, dietary fibre and phenolic compounds. During germination (24 h) the amount of sugar, amino acids and vitamins increase in the grains. Therefore, it could be optimal environment for microbiota growth in sourdough. The goal of the research was to find optimal technological parameters and to study microorganism growth dynamic during the fermentation of sourdough with germinated hull-less barley. The study was performed using three steps of fermentation, with different temperature and time parameters. At each step pH, dynamics of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), yeast-like fungi and total plate count (TPC) growth were determined using standard methods. The results of the study showed that the optimal fermentation conditions for the first stage are 48 h and 26 ± 1 °C, for the second stage 8 h and 26 ± 1 °C and for the third stage 20 h and 28 ± 1 °C. During fermentation of the sourdough, the pH 3.91 is reached, LAB 8.8 log10 CFU g−1, and the yeast-like fungi 8.7 log10 CFU g−1 was determined. Obtained data show that more than 80 bacteria and 50 microscopic fungal species were detected in hull-less barley flour, but after germination their diversity decreased and in the germinated hull-less barley sourdoughs dominated species were Pediococcus pentosaceus.

Searching for Differences in Chemical Composition and Biological Activity of Crude Drone Brood and Royal Jelly Useful for Their Authentication

Drone brood is a little-known bee product which is frequently considered as a male equivalent of royal jelly and is sometimes used as its adulterant. The aim of the study was to compare the chemical composition and biological activity of both bee products originated from the same apiaries (n = 3) limiting the influence of genetic and environmental factors. Moreover, for drone brood study covered testing three stages of larval development (days 7, 11, and 14). The comparison included mineral composition (ICP-OES method), protein content and protein profile (SDS-PAGE), testosterone and estradiol content (ELISA tests). HPTLC method was used to analyze of sugar, amino acids, and polyphenolic profile of drone brood and royal jelly. Moreover, their antioxidant and enzymatic properties were compared. A lot of similarities between drone brood and royal jelly were found in terms of chemical components. However, drone brood was more abundant in iron and manganese, reducing sugars and some amino acids, especially proline, tyrosine, and leucine. It contained more testosterone (especially on the 14th day) and estradiol (on the 7th day). The greatest differences in the enzymatic activities and polyphenolic profile were found. Diastase and α-glucosidase activity were found as specific enzymes of the drone brood. Similarly, ferulic and ellagic acids were characteristic for brood and were not present in royal jelly. The study showed a lot of similar features for both tested bee products, however, some specific markers which can serve to differentiate drone brood and royal jelly were found.

Synthesis of Acids and Amino Acids by Selective Oxidation of Primary Hydroxyl Groups to Carboxylic acids in Sugars

Preferential oxidation of primary hydroxyls in unprotected sugars and sugar amino acids is reported using inexpensive and readily available reagents. This method offers a specific oxidation protocol for a variety of carbohydrates. The stereochemical integrity of the starting materials was preserved and a simple workup yielded the products in good yields with high purity. The procedure is compatible with base sensitive groups like Fmoc.  Both mono and disaccharides undergo oxidation regioselectively.

Qualitative and quantitative changes of nonvolatile compounds and taste profiles in Wuyi rock tea during the manufacturing processes

Wuyi rock tea (WRT), a type of oolong tea, is famous for ‘rock flavor’ with characteristic taste and aroma. The qualitative and quantitative changes of the nonvolatile constituents and taste profiles were investigated during the WRT production process by analyzing of polyphenols, caffeine, amino acids, L-theanine and total sugar, coupled with sensory evaluation and determination of dose-over-threshold values. The contents of L-theanine, total sugar, amino acids and some catechins varied considerably except for GA, GCG and GC that increased significantly during the process, while the amount of caffeine was relatively stable. Astringent, bitter, sweet and umami taste properties were predicted. In accordance with the sensory evaluation, there was no umami-like taste in the finished tea that underwent full fire processing, which is essential for WRT to enhance the mellow, heavy taste, and weaken the bitter taste. EGCG and caffeine contributed the most to the astringent, bitter taste of WRT. This study provides a comprehensive profile of the changes in taste characteristics during the WRT manufacturing process.

Synthesis of chimera oligopeptide including furanoid β-sugar amino acid derivatives with free OHs: mild but successful removal of the 1,2-O-isopropylidene from the building block

Complementary to hydrophobic five membered ring β-amino acids (e.g. ACPC), β-sugar amino acids (β-SAAs) have found increasing application as hydrophilic building blocks of foldamers and α/β chimeric peptides. Fmoc-protected β-SAAs [e.g. Fmoc-RibAFU(ip)-OH] are indeed useful Lego elements, ready to use for SPPS. The removal of 1,2-OH isopropylidene protecting group increasing the hydrophilicity of such SAA is presented here. We first used N3-RibAFU(ip)-OH model compound to optimize mild deprotection conditions. The formation of the 1,2-OH free product N3-RibAFU-OH and its methyl glycoside methyl ester, N3-RibAFU(Me)-OMe were monitored by RP-HPLC and found that either 50% TFA or 8 eqv. Amberlite IR-120 H+ resin in MeOH are optimal reagents for the effective deprotection. These conditions were then successfully applied for the synthesis of chimeric oligopeptide: -GG-X-GG- [X=RibAFU(ip)]. We found the established conditions to be effective and—at the same time—sufficiently mild to remove 1,2-O-isopropylidene protection and thus, it is proposed to be used in the synthesis of oligo- and polypeptides of complex sequence combination.

PHARMACOGNOSTIC INVESTIGATION, ISOLATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND CONFIRMATION OF THE STRUCTURE OF PHENACETINE EXTRACTED FROM THE DRIED POWDERED LEAVES OF TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANT ALLOPHYLUS AFRICANUS USED FOR THE TREATMENT OF PAIN, FLU and HEAD ACHE

Pharmacognostic investigation involving organoleptic evaluation, fluorescent analysis, phytochemical screening and mineral analysis was carried out on the dried powdered leaves of Allophylus africanus used for treating pain, headaches, common cold, Fever and as antibiotics in Eastern Province of Sierra Leone. The powdered leaves were light brown in colour with woody odour, bitter taste and gave significant fluorescent derivatives with the reagents 1M NaOH (aq), 1M NaOH(alc.), Ammonia, 50% HCl, and 50% HNO3 when viewed under ordinary visible light and ultraviolet light. The plant organ investigated during phytochemical screening gave positive for carbohydrates and reducing sugar, Amino acids and Proteins, Alkaloids, tannins and phenolic compounds, saponins glycosides Flavonoids, sterols/terpenes and triterpenes all of which have been reported to be pharmacologically active compounds responsible for the medicinal use of Allophylus africanus plant. Elemental analysis of the plant organ was performed with a Niton XL3t GOLDD + Hand held X-ray Fluorescence (Thermo Fisher) and the results indicated that the plant organs investigated contained large amounts of K, Ca, Mg, Al and Fe whilst Ti, Zr, Mn, Zn, Sr, Sc, Rb, Cu, V and Mo were present in minute quantities. The presence of the above elements also support the use of the plant organ investigated as food and medicine. The compounds LK003 isolated from the ethanol extract of the dried powdered leaves of the plant and structure identified using fragmentation patterns from LCMS, Proton NMR spectroscopy and by McLafferty rearrangement as N-(3-methoxyphenyl) acetamide called phenacetamide which has been reported to be a clinically tested drug for pain and fever. Hence, we concluded in this research work that the presence of N-(3-methoxyphenyl) acetamide called phenacetamide, the secondary plant metabolites and minerals present in the dried powdered leaves traditional medicinal plant Allophylus africanus support the use of the plant as a traditional pharmaceutical.

A Review on Opuntia Species and its Chemistry, Pharmacognosy, Pharmacology and Bioapplications

Background:: Opuntia species, locally known as prickly pear was used for various purposes as food, medicine, beverage, source of dye and animal food. Many studies have revealed its pharmacology activity from time to time. This review is a collection of chemistry, pharmacognosy, pharmacology and bioapplications of the cactus family. Methods: Many sources were used to collect information about Opuntia species such as Pub med, Google scholar, Agris, science direct, Embase, Merk index, Wiley online library, books and other reliable sources. This review contains studies from 1812 to 2019. Results: The plants from the cactus family offer various pharmacological active compounds including phenolic compounds, carotenoids, betalains, vitamins, steroids, sugar, amino acids, minerals and fibers. These bioactive compounds serve various pharmacological activities such as anticancer, antiviral, anti-diabetic, Neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, antibacterial, antiulcer and alcohol hangover. According to various studies, Opuntia species offer many bioapplications such as fodder for animal, soil erosion, prevention, human consumption and waste water decontamination. Finally, different parts of plants are used in various formulations that offer many biotechnology applications. Conclusion: Different parts of Opuntia plant (fruits, seeds, flowers and cladodes) are used in various health problems which include wound healing, anti-inflammatory and urinary tract infection from ancient times. Nowadays, researches have extended several pharmacological and therapeutic uses of Opuntia species as discussed in this review. Many in-vitro and in-vivo models are also discussed in this review as the proofs of research findings. Various research gaps have been observed in current studies that require attention in the future.

Molecular targets of honey bee’s products in cancer prevention and treatment

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are currently the main treatments for cancer but their toxicities on the surrounding normal cells limit their use in cancer therapy. Moreover, many cancers have developed some resistance to the available anticancer chemicals and put in failure the chemotherapy currently used in the cancer treatment. This failure of the targeted monotherapy resulting from bypass mechanisms has obligated researchers to use agents that interfere with multiple cell-signaling pathways. Recently, researches focused on the use of natural products which can target cancer promoting factors genes expression. Of these natural products, honey has been extensively studied. The pharmacological properties of honey include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, immunomodulatory, estrogenic and anti-cancer effects. The honey bee’s products are potent sources of nutritional components including sugar, amino-acids, water and minerals. Furthermore honey contains chemopreventive compounds such as flavonoids, phenol acids, tannins, vitamins that may interfere with multiple cell’s pathways and hereby reduce the incidence of many types of cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms of honey bee’s products in cancer prevention and treatment are less known. This review highlights the molecular mechanism of honey bioactive compounds in cancer prevention and treatment.