Localization of Flavan-3-ol Species in Peanut Testa by Mass Spectrometry Imaging

Flavan-3-ols, procyanidins and their monomers are major flavonoids present in peanuts that show a wide range of biological properties and health benefits, based on their potent antioxidant activity. Procyanidin oligomers, especially A-type, are reportedly abundant in peanut skin; however, their localization in the raw peanut testa remains poorly understood. Therefore, we performed matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) to investigate the localization of flavan-3-ols in peanut testa. 1,5-Diaminonaphthalene was coated onto the peanut section by matrix vapor deposition/recrystallization, and MALDI-MSI measurements were performed in the negative-ion mode. Peaks matching the m/z values of flavan-3-ol [M − H]− ions were observed in the mass spectrum extracted from the outer epidermis of the peanut testa, using the region of interest function. Catechin and/or epicatechin, five A-type, and one B-type procyanidins were assigned by the fragment ions generated by retro-Diels-Alder, heterocyclic ring fission, and quinone methide reactions detected in MALDI-tandem MS spectra. These flavan-3-ols were localized in the outer epidermis of the peanut testa. This information will contribute to improving the extraction and purification efficiencies of flavan-3-ols from peanut testa. As flavan-3-ols display anti-microbial activity, it is speculated that flavan-3-ols present in the outer epidermis of peanut testa act to prevent pathogen infection.

Structure and development of fruits and seeds of weed species of Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbiaceae s.l. presents several morphological types of fruits, of which the schizocarp is the most common. The fruits of weed species of Euphorbia graminea Jacq., Euphorbia heterophylla L., Euphorbia hirta L. (= Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millsp.) and Euphorbia prostrata Aiton (= Chamaesyce prostrata (Aiton) Small) are objects of this study. Inflorescences and fruits in development were collected on the campus of the State University of Maringa (UEM), Brazil, fixed in FAA 50 and glutaraldehyde, dehydrated and sectioned with a rotary microtome according to standard morphology and anatomy techniques. The species present several anatomical similarities, though there are some differences related to the outer epidermis of the ovaries, which is glabrous in E. graminea and hairy in the other species. The ripe fruits present a papilose exocarp and lack trichomes, except for E. hirta. The ovules are anatropous, bitegmic and crassinucellate; the seeds are exotegmic and the embryos are straight.

Reproductive studies in ipecac (Psychotria ipecacuanha (Brot.) stockes; Rubiaceae): pollen development and morphology

The aim of this work was to carry out the reproductive studies on Brazilian accessions of ipecac, Psychotria ipecacuanha. It presented heterostyly, with brevistylous and longistylous flowers. The pollen development was observed from the sections of the anthers embedded in resin. Anther development was normal as usually observed in dicotyledones, displaying four layers: outer epidermis, endothecium, middle layer and inner tapetum. The pollen was bicellular and filled with starch at the microspore stage. Pollen morphology was studied using SEM, which showed pollen polymorphism within and between the two floral morphs. Five types of pollen with reticulate or perforate exine were identified. The characteristics showed that the sexual process was as important as the vegetative propagation for the reproduction of this species.

Fruit anatomy of the genus Anabasis (Salsoloideae, Chenopodiaceae)

The fruit anatomy and morphology of 22 representatives of the genus Anabasis L. were studied, with the aim of clarifying the taxomomic importance of carpological characters in the genus. As shown in cross-sections, the pericarp of Anabasis is differentiated into the following four zones: (i) outer epidermis, (ii) subepidermal hydrated parenchyma, (iii) crystalliferous layer with lignified U-shaped cell walls and (iv) inner epidermis. Anatomical differences mainly relate to the outer epidermal structure. Fruit anatomy does not confirm the separation of the genera Brachylepis and Esfandiaria. A combination of carpological characteristics separates A. annua and A. setifera from the other species studied. Also, characters of reproductive organs in representatives of Anabasis are shown. When vegetative and reproductive features are considered, the genus Fredolia appears rather distant from Anabasis s.l. The pericarp histology of almost all the Salsoloideae (incl. Anabasis) is fully presented in the upper third of the fruit. In the lower parts of the fruit, some histological layers are either reduced or absent altogether. On the basis of the anatomical structures in the upper third of the fruit, the common carpological features of the Salsoloideae can be defined. These include a pericarp consisting of several, usually well-differentiated layers and the presence of crystalliferous cells with U-shaped walls. The two- to four-cell layered outer epidermis of three Anabasis representatives (A. eriopoda, A. jaxartica, A. turkestanica) seems to be an apomorphic feature in the Salsoloideae. The seed coat is thin (two cell layers thick) and non-differentiated. Owing to the pericarp and seedcoat structure, the fruit and seed covers have low resistance to environmental degradation processes and, therefore, are unlikely to be found among fossil remnants.

Embryology and systematic relationships of Kiggelaria (Flacourtiaceae)

Kiggelaria L. is endemic to Africa and the only representative of tribe Pangieae (Flacourtiaceae) on the continent. Molecular genetics, phytochemistry and host-parasite relationships have indicated a relationship between this woody, pantropical tribe of Flacourtiaceae and a small, trigeneric family of herbaceous, southern African endemics, the Achariaceae. In the present study, ovule and seed structure in Kiggelaria were investigated and compared with relevant data recently reported for Achariaceae. Support for an alliance with Achariaceae were found in the presence of anatropous, bitegmic. sessile ovules with zigzag micropyles. deep-lying embryo sacs covered by an epistase in the ovule and seed, endotestal-exotegmic seed coat layers, suspensorless embryos and sarcotestal seed with a prominent, plate-like hypostase. Unlike Achariaceae. Kiggelaria seeds do not have chalazal seed lids, pronounced raphal ridges, a fringe layer, or stomata in the outer epidermis of the sarcotesta. Structural dissimilarities in seeds of omithochorous Kiggelaria and myrmeco- chorous Achariaceae were regarded as adaptations linked to adifferent strategies for seed germination and dispersal.

177 Changes of Fruit Structure and Sugar Contents during the Fruit Development Processes in `Yumyeong' Peach [Prunus persica (L.) Batsch]

`Yumyeong' is one of the most popular peach varieties in Korea. This study was conducted to monitor the developments of cells and tissues, and the changes in sugar contents during the whole fruit growth stages. At bloom, there were two rows of vascular tissues, and the number and the position of internal vascular bundles were consistent during the fruit growth; however, the number of vascular tissues increased and the distribution was irregular in the flesh tissues. The tissues between the inner integument and the internal vascular bundles showed different development characteristics from other parenchyma cells, which consisted of small and dense cells containing tannins. Therefore, it was found that the nucleus of peach consisted of inner epidermis and cells in the internal vascular tissues. The outer epidermis consisted of single layer cells at bloom and was changed into one to two layers by horizontal cell division 14 days after full bloom. At 30 days after full bloom, the epidermis consisted of five to six layers by vertical cell division. The cell layers of the outer epidermis gradually decreased to one to two layers at maturity. The observations on the changes in the epidermis confirmed that some of the cells of the hypodermis of peach fruit originated from the cells of outer epidermis. Tylosis was observed from 35 days after full bloom, and the size and number of tylosis increased until full fruit maturity. The sucrose content sharply increased from 50 days to 120 days after full bloom, then decreased slightly. After stone hardening ended, other solids showed a gradual decrease from 80 days after full bloom.

The ultrastructure of the epidermis of Diplectanum aequans (Monogenea)

SummaryThe epidermis of Diplectanum aequans has, in general, been found to be similar to the epidermis of other monogeneans, consisting of a syncytial outer epidermis and sunken sub-epidermal nucleated regions. However, the epidermis of D. aequans differs from that of other monogeneans in 3 respects. These are, the presence of large areas of granular cytoplasm within the outer epidermis, the presence of myofibres invaginating into the epidermal matrix and, in the posterior regions of the epidermis, the presence of epidermal scales. These scales occur within the epidermal cytoplasm, beneath the outer membrane, and are composed of moderately electron-dense material. Also present beneath the outer membrane in the more anterior regions of the epidermis are small scale-like sclerites of a similar electron density to the epidermal scales.