Regional-specific meniscal extracellular matrix hydrogels and their effects on cell-matrix interactions of fibrochondrocytes

Decellularized meniscal extracellular matrix (ECM) material holds great potential for meniscus repair and regeneration. Particularly, injectable ECM hydrogel is highly desirable for the minimally invasive treatment of irregularly shaped defects. Although regional-specific variations of the meniscus are well documented, no ECM hydrogel has been reported to simulate zonally specific microenvironments of the native meniscus. To fill the gap, different (outer, middle, and inner) zones of porcine menisci were separately decellularized. Then the regionally decellularized meniscal ECMs were solubilized by pepsin digestion, neutralized, and then form injectable hydrogels. The hydrogels were characterized in gelation behaviors and mechanical properties and seeded with bovine fibrochondrocytes to evaluate the regionally biochemical effects on the cell-matrix interactions. Our results showed that the decellularized inner meniscal ECM (IM) contained the greatest glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content and the least collagen content compared with the decellularized outer meniscal ECM (OM) and middle meniscal ECM (MM). The IM hydrogel showed lower compressive strength than the OM hydrogel. When encapsulated with fibrochondrocytes, the IM hydrogel accumulated more GAG, contracted to a greater extent and reached higher compressive strength than that of the OM hydrogel at 28 days. Our findings demonstrate that the regionally specific meniscal ECMs present biochemical variation and show various effects on the cell behaviors, thus providing information on how meniscal ECM hydrogels may be utilized to reconstruct the microenvironments of the native meniscus.

Morphological and biochemical characteristics in fruits of Mangifera indica L. var. Ataulfo with and without conventional management

Objective: To identify the morphometric and biochemical variation in mango fruits var. Ataulfo (Mangifera indica L.) in two contrasting environments with and without conventional management. Design/methodology/approximation: Morphological and biochemical variables were studied in mango fruits var. Ataulfo in two environments, one of them (La Norteña) with Leptosol soil and Aw climate with conventional agrochemical-based management and the other (Santa Cecilia) on Acrisol soil and Am climate with agroecological management. There were 30 fruits used, all from five trees (n=150) per study garden in a state of commercial maturity. Each fruit was considered as an experimental unit, and morphological and biochemical variables were evaluated for each fruit. Results: Increase in fruit weight, higher pH and increase in total soluble solids, but decrease in pulp weight on site with conventional handling. Increase in pulp content and firmness in fruits from the site without handling. Study Limitations/implications: Changes in the amount and distribution of rainfall in both environments each year. Findings / conclusions: Morphological and biochemical modifications are presented. Greater size and weight, pH and TSS content in the conventional production system, but increased pulp and greater firmness, as well as higher citric acid content in the agroecological system. The results suggest differential effects in mango fruits according to the management and environment where they develop.

Fine mapping of the major QTLs for biochemical variation of sulforaphane in broccoli florets using a DH population

Glucoraphanin is a major secondary metabolite found inBrassicaceaevegetables, especially broccoli, and its degradation product sulforaphane plays an essential role in anticancer. The fine mapping of sulforaphane metabolism quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in broccoli florets is necessary for future marker-assisted selection strategies. In this study, we utilized a doubled haploid population consisting of 176 lines derived from two inbred lines (86,101 and 90,196) with significant differences in sulforaphane content, coupled with extensive genotypic and phenotypic data from two independent environments. A linkage map consisting of 438 simple sequence repeats markers was constructed, covering a length of 1168.26 cM. A total of 18 QTLs for sulforaphane metabolism in broccoli florets were detected, 10 were detected in 2017, and the other 8 were detected in 2018. The LOD values of all QTLs ranged from 3.06 to 14.47, explaining 1.74–7.03% of the biochemical variation between two years. Finally, 6 QTLs (qSF-C3-1,qSF-C3-2,qSF-C3-3,qSF-C3-5,qSF-C3-6andqSF-C7) were stably detected in more than one environment, each accounting for 4.54–7.03% of the phenotypic variation explained (PVE) and a total of 30.88–34.86% of PVE. Our study provides new insights into sulforaphane metabolism in broccoli florets and marker-assisted selection breeding inBrassica oleraceacrops.

Potential of fungicides, botanicals and biocontrol agents to induce physio-biochemical tolerance on Curcuma longa impaired by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Necrotic leaf spot of Curcuma longa (turmeric) limits the chief physio-biochemical activity for maintaining the plant health and productivity. In the present study, polyhouse and open field trials were conducted to estimate the pathogenicity of C. gloeosporioides on turmeric and to evaluate the foliar efficiency of propiconazole @ RD and copper oxychloride, extracts of A. indica, A. sativum and O. sanctum @ 40%, and culture filtrates of T. viride, T. harzianum and T. virens @ 4×106 cfu/ml in inducing physio-biochemical tolerance of pathogen inoculated and non-inoculated plants. In both the trials, these three agents yielded the highest efficiency to enhance the physio-biochemical traits. The induced physio-biochemical tolerance in treated turmeric plants showed variation in the elevation of plant health and immunity in response to pathogen aggressiveness or disease severity. However, phytophenol content was quite higher in infected plants than non-infected plants due to initiation of defense reaction in response of pathogenic elicitors. Thus, the present study demonstrated the novelty of physio-biochemical tolerance induction on turmeric plants by using fungicides, biocontrol agents and phytoextracts.HighlightsFoliar treatments improve desirable plant physio-biochemical traits against pathogen.Physio-biochemical variation induces the innate plant defense system.High phytophenol accumulation counteracts the pathogenic stress.Turmeric plant’s health and yield enhance by the reduction of disease intensity.

Biochemical characterization and antioxidant activity of walnut kernel (Juglans regia L.) of accessions from Middle and High Atlas in Morocco

Biochemical composition and antioxidant activity were determined in kernel nuts for eleven Moroccan walnut (Juglans regia L.) accessions representing its main cropping area. Total oil, carbohydrates, crude protein, energy value, crude fiber and flavonoid have varied significantly between accessions, respectively within the range values of 54.50-65.48%, 8.17-19.25%, 11.5-25.58%, 648.91-713.83 Kcal, 4.17-6.75% and 12.59-62.11mg RE 100 g-1 DM. Besides, mineral composition (mg 100 g-1) of kernel have varied also significantly among accessions and particularly for phosphorus (338.1-675.87), copper (2.08-6.67), zinc (3.39-18.63), iron (1.17-2.64), chromium (0.16-0.20), nickel (1.26-1.45) and boron (0.07-1.49). However, dry matter (96.75-98.56%), moisture (1.44-3.24%), ash (1.67-2.53%), total phenols content (1017-3739 mg GAE 100 g-1 DM), DPPH radical scavenging activity (75.02-85.96%), potassium (210.10-338.93 mg 100 g-1), magnesium (79.15-374.54 mg 100 g-1), sodium (1.17-12.63 mg 100 g-1) and manganese (0.79-1.67 mg 100 g-1) did not show significant variations between accessions. Furthermore, the results showed that Moroccan walnut constitutes an important source of nutrient elements, essentially fat, carbohydrates, protein, phosphorus and zinc, and natural antioxidants, phenolic compounds. Accordingly, consumption of all studied kernels accessions would be beneficial to health. This study showed considerable biochemical variation between the analyzed walnut accessions, which could help to select genotypes with desired traits according to their chemotypes.

GENOTYPIC AND BIOCHEMICAL VARIATION IN THE RESPONSE OF BARLEY TO THE ROOT-KNOT NEMATODE (MELOIDOGYNE JAVANICA) AT SEEDLING STAGE

The present study was conducted to evaluate 28 commercial cultivars and two promising breeding lines of barley in terms of resistance to Meloidogyne javanica nematode and to investigate the synthesis level of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase and polyphenol oxidase enzymes in different days after inoculation in greenhouse condition. Based on the results of evaluation, Jolge and Nimrouz cultivars were highly resistant, Rihan and Zarjow were very susceptible. The rest of the cultivars were ranked between these groups in resistant, moderately resistant and moderately susceptible groups. Comparison of the activity of antioxidant enzymes in highly resistance cultivars (Jolge and Nimrouz) and very susceptible cultivars (Rihan and Zarjow) roots showed that the activity of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and polyphenol oxidase increased in the root of the highly resistant cultivars and decreased or remains unchanged in very susceptible cultivars. Nevertheless, catalase showed a decreasing trend after inoculation by nematodes in highly resistance cultivars, and in general; its level in resistant cultivars was less than susceptible cultivars. Therefore, changes in the activity of these enzymes can be attributed to different levels of resistance among these cultivars.