Evolution of NLR Resistance Genes in Magnoliids: Dramatic Expansions of CNLs and Multiple Losses of TNLs

Magnoliids are the third-largest group of angiosperms and occupy a critical position in angiosperm evolution. In the past years, due to the lack of sequenced genomes, the disease resistance gene (R gene) profile of magnoliids remains poorly understood. By the genome-wide identification of 1,832 NLR genes from seven magnoliid genomes, we built a framework for the evolution of magnoliid R genes. TNL genes were completely absent from five magnoliids, presumably due to immune pathway deficiencies. A total of 74 ancestral R genes (70 CNLs, 3 TNLs, and 1 RNL) were recovered in a common ancestor of magnoliids, from which all current NLR gene repertoires were derived. Tandem duplication served as the major drive for NLR genes expansion in seven magnoliid genomes, as most surveyed angiosperms. Due to recent rapid expansions, most magnoliids exhibited “a first expansion followed by a slight contraction and a further stronger expansion” evolutionary pattern, while both Litsea cubeba and Persea americana showed a two-times-repeated pattern of “expansion followed by contraction.” The transcriptome analysis of seven different tissues of Saururus chinensis revealed a low expression of most NLR genes, with some R genes displaying a relatively higher expression in roots and fruits. Overall, our study sheds light on the evolution of NLR genes in magnoliids, compensates for insufficiency in major angiosperm lineages, and provides an important reference for a better understanding of angiosperm NLR genes.

​Nutritional Value and Anti-nutritional Factor’s Analyses of Five Indigenous Spices used by the Karbi Group of Assam, India

Background: Uses of indigenous herbs and spices have become ubiquitous on modern culinary systems. But to date literatures on nutritional aspects of these group of plants are limited. Therefore the present study was done to evaluate the nutritional and anti-nutritional compositions of five indigenous spices commonly used in Karbi cuisines. The present study will help identify long forgotten multifunctional food resources which was previously neglected due to its low quantity in use. Methods: The nutritional compositions were determined according to procedures established by Association of official Analytical chemists 1990 and the anti-nutritive factors of the samples were determined according to the procedure described in the reported scientific publications. Result: The results showed appreciable amount of nutrients in Citrus macroptera Montrouz., Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers., Ocimum citriodorum Vis., Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton. and Zanthoxylum armatum DC. The energy value of these five spices showed remarkable values, with the highest value observed in Ocimum citriodorum Vis. (354.08 Kcal) and lowest in Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (108.67 Kcal). The moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fats, total carbohydrate and crude fibre content of the studied spices vary from 0.85-7.45%, 3.30-14.25%, 1.85-25.30%, 1.80-43.09%, 7.03-32.32% and 1.39-72.55% in range respectively. The vitamin C content was estimated highest in Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton. (34 mg/100 g) and lowest in Citrus macroptera Montrouz. (22 mg/100g). The phytate (17.22-18.85 mg/100 g), oxalate (10.15-12.42 mg/100 g), tannin (9.45-11.61 mg/100 g) and saponin (8.82-10.55 mg/100 g) contents were very low and hence these spices are less toxic for human consumptions.

Enhancement Effect of Chitosan Coating on Inhibition of Deoxynivalenol Accumulation by Litsea cubeba Essential Oil Emulsion during Malting

The purpose of this work was to study the enhancement effect of chitosan coating on inhibition of deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation by Litsea cubeba essential oil emulsion during malting. Firstly, the primary emulsion suitable for malting process was screened and the improvement effect of chitosan coating on the properties of primary emulsion was studied. On this basis, chitosan-based Litsea cubeba essential oil emulsion was applied to malting processing. The results showed that the primary emulsion of Litsea cubeba essential oil had good antifungal properties and a minimal effect on the germinability of barley compared with other primary emulsions. The addition of chitosan can improve the physical stability and antifungal ability of the emulsion and reduce the effect of the emulsion on barley germination. When 100 g of chitosan-based Litsea cubeba essential oil emulsion (40 mg/g) was applied to the malting process, the germination rate of barley was 87.7% and the DON concentration of finished malt was reduced to 690 μg/kg, which was 20.9% lower than that of the control. Meanwhile, the other indexes of malt produced by secondary emulsion treatment (after adding chitosan) increased significantly compared with those of malt produced by primary emulsion. This study was of great significance for the application of emulsion to inhibit the accumulation of mycotoxin during malting.

Antifungal and Antitoxigenic Effects of Selected Essential Oils in Vapors on Green Coffee Beans with Impact on Consumer Acceptability

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of selected essential oils thyme chemotype linalool (Thymus zygis L.), thyme chemotype tymol (Thymus vulgaris L.), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.), mint (Mentha piperita L.), almond (Prunbus dulcis Mill.), cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nees), litsea (Litsea cubeba Lour. Pers), lemongrass (Cympogon citrati L. Stapf), and ginger (Zingiber officinalis Rosc.) in the vapor phase on growth, sporulation, and mycotoxins production of two Aspergillus strains (Aspergillus parasiticus CGC34 and Aspergillus ochraceus CGC87), important postharvest pathogens of green and roasted coffee beans. Moreover, the effect of the essential oils (EOs) on the sensory profile of the coffee samples treated with EOs was evaluated. The major components of tested EOs were determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The results showed that almond, cinnamon bark, lemongrass, and litsea EOs are able to significantly inhibit the growth, sporulation, and mycotoxins production by toxigenic fungi. Sensory evaluation of coffee beans treated with EOs before and after roasting showed that some EOs (except lemongrass and litsea) do not adversely affect the taste and aroma of coffee beverages. Thus, application of the vapors of almond and cinnamon EOs appears to be an effective way that could serve to protect coffee during its transport and storage from toxigenic fungi.

Acaricidal and repellent activities of Litsea cubeba (Lour.) oil and 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal against Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae)

The bioactivity of the essential oil extracted from Litsea cubeba fruits against tick vectors of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome is unknown. In this study, L. cubeba oil and its main constituents, 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal and its similar structures, were evaluated for their acaricidal and repellent activities on the unfed nymphs and adults of Haemaphysalis longicornis. L. cubeba oil displayed both acaricidal and repellent activities against both life stages. Among the constituents of L. cubeba oil, only 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal exhibited both acaricidal and repellent activities against both life stages. In a repellent bioassay, 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal and L. cubeba oil at dose of 0.08 mg/cm2 provided excellent repellence (100%) against the nymphs and adults for over 60 min post-application. When the acaricidal and repellent activities of 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal and its similar structures were compared, activities of all tested derivatives were significantly less potent than those of 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal. The strong acaricidal and repellent activities of 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal in L. cubeba oil suggests that it is a promising natural candidate for developing new sustainable acaricidal and repellent agents.

Ethnomedicine of forest’s essential oils for respiratory and cardiovascular treatments in Northern Sumatra

The global pandemic Covid-19 has become a worldwide challenge. Many continuous efforts have been conducted to prevent and combat the diseases that attack human respiratory system. This situation encourages the exploration of potential herbal remedies involving essential oils from forest to boost human immune system. The objectives of study were to explore the traditional application of forest’s essential oils and to identify the phytochemical content of herbal medicines in respiratory and cardiovascular treatments in Northern Sumatra. In-depth interviews were conducted with 27 local people who applied essential oils in their traditional remedies in Karo and Toba, North Sumatra; and Singkil and South Aceh during 2020. The essential oils benefits in Covid-19 treatment were identified by inhaling application to seven positive suspects. The study also reviewed previous findings according the phytochemical content of forest essential oils identified. The study identified twelve forest’s essential oils applied in respiratory and cardiovascular treatments, including Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Dryobalanops aromatica, Eucalyptus sp., Litsea cubeba, Melaleuca cajuput, Myristica fragrans, Styrax sumatrana, Syzygium aromaticum, and. Zanthoxylum acanthopodium. The oils were distilled from plant part such as flowers, leaves, fruits, seeds, and barks or extracted from resin. Several phytochemicals with medicinal properties were identified including 1.8-cineole, apinene, camphene, eugenol, limonene, linalool, and p-cymene. In aromatherapeutic practices by both inhalation and massage, the phytochemical content gives relaxing effects and improve the respiratory and cardiovascular system. The results also show that inhaling the essential oils also helps Covid-19 patients relieve their breathing, therefore prospective for respiratory treatment. The high stress conditions faced by patients were also reduced by inhaling aromatherapy. The study re-discovered the essential oils benefits for various conditions such as headaches and hypertension, while having high potential as an expectorant and immune system booster.

Effectiveness of the Influence of Selected Essential Oils on the Growth of Parasitic Fusarium Isolated from Wheat Kernels from Central Europe

The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of selected seven commercial essential oils (EsO) (grapefruit, lemongrass, tea tree (TTO), thyme, verbena, cajeput, and Litsea cubeba) on isolates of common Central European parasitic fungal species of Fusarium obtained from infected wheat kernels, and to evaluate the oils as potential natural fungicides. The study was conducted in 2 stages. At each stage, the fungicidal activity of EsO (with concentrations of 0.025; 0.05; 0.125; 0.25; 0.50; 1.0, and 2.0%) against Fusarium spp. was evaluated using the disc plate method and zones of growth inhibition were measured. At the first stage, the fungistatic activity of EsO was evaluated against four species of Fusarium from the Polish population (F. avenaceum FAPL, F. culmorum FCPL, F. graminearum FGPL and F. oxysporum FOPL). The correlation coefficient between the mycelial growth rate index (T) and the fungistatic activity (FA) was calculated. At the second stage, on the basis of the mycelium growth rate index, the effectiveness of the EsO in limiting the development of Fusarium isolates from the German population (F. culmorum FC1D, F. culmorum FC2D, F. graminearum FG1D, F. graminearum FG2D and F. poae FP0D) was assessed. The first and second stage results presented as a growth rate index were then used to indicate essential oils (as potential natural fungicides) effectively limiting the development of various common Central European parasitic species Fusarium spp. Finally, the sensitivity of four Fusarium isolates from the Polish population and five Fusarium isolates from the German population was compared. The data were compiled in STATISTICA 13.0 (StatSoft, Inc, CA, USA) at the significance level of 0.05. Fusarium isolates from the German population were generally more sensitive than those from the Polish population. The sensitivity of individual Fusarium species varied. Their vulnerability, regardless of the isolate origin, in order from the most to the least sensitive, is as follows: F. culmorum, F. graminearum, F. poae, F. avenaceum and F. oxysporum. The strongest fungicidal activity, similar to Funaben T, showed thyme oil (regardless of the concentration). Performance of citral oils (lemongrass and Litsea cubeba) was similar but at a concentration above 0.025%.