Aluminium and nutrients induce changes in the profiles of phenolic substances in tea plants (Camellia sinensis CV TTES, No. 12 (TTE))

BACKGROUND: Tea plants are always cultivated in acid soils in hilly regions and their growth can be dependent on to soluble aluminium (Al). The mechanism of Al detoxification and the influence of Al on phenolic compounds (i.e. catechin) in the roots of tea plants has remained obscure. This study aimed to investigate the influence of Al changes on the concentrations of phenolic substances in tea plants through hydroponic experiments. RESULTS: Tea plants were cultivated in nutrient solution containing 1.5 and 2.5 mmol L^?1 Al, and these treatments enhanced the growth of new buds and roots. Aluminium stimulated the uptake of Ca, Mg, K and Mn, whereas the uptake of Fe, Cu and Zn was retarded. Moreover, total phenol concentrations in tea plant tissues increased with increasing Al concentrations. In general, catechin concentrations in leaves increased with increasing Al concentrations in the hydroponic experiments. High correlation coefficients were obtained between Al and (?)‐ECG (r² = 0.85, P < 0.01) and between Al and total phenols (r² = 0.92, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The Al concentration in tea plants indeed increases catechin concentrations and plays an important role in the growth of tea plants. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Application of different forms of calcium to tea soil to prevent aluminium and fluorine accumulation

Tea Camellia sinensis (L), is a well‐known accumulator of aluminium and fluorine from acidic soil. A reduction is desirable as aluminium and fluorine absorbed will leach into the tea liquor through infusion, thus posing a serious threat to the health of consumers. The present study aims to investigate the effects of adding different forms of calcium on Al and F uptake by tea plants, in order to reduce the concentrations of these elements contained in the plants. All true lime materials increased the soil pH and decreased soil extractable Al and F concentrations. There were no (p < 0.05) changes in pH values when CaCl₂ was added, and a slight decrease in Al and F concentrations was observed in the treatments with CaSO₄. Tea seedlings under the addition of CaSO₄ were the tallest and healthiest, followed by CaCl₂, CaCO₃, Ca(OH)₂ and CaO. Seedlings under large doses of Ca(OH)₂ and CaO were dead. Relative growth rates decreased significantly with the increase of calcium compounds except in CaSO₄ treatment. The highest Al concentration was also found in the treatment of 4000 mg CaSO₄ kg^?1; it then decreased gradually from 3364 to 933 mg Al kg^?1 in leaves. For all treatments in both varieties, F concentrations in leaves were lower than the control (374 mg kg^?1). Calcium chloride was a suitable agent for reduction of Al and F uptake by tea plants while maintaining a high growth rate of the seedlings. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Magnesium nutrition on accumulation and transport of amino acids in tea plants

BACKGROUND: Free amino acids in young tea shoots are important chemical constituents, remarkably influencing the quality of green teas. Nutrient solution, soil pot and field experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of magnesium nutritional status on accumulation and transport of free amino acids in tea plants ( Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze). RESULTS: A sufficient supply of Mg in nutrient solution increased biomass production and concentrations of free amino acids, notably theanine in young shoots and roots, without affecting total N in the leaves, absorption rates of inorganic N and glutamine synthetase activity. Amino acids in xylem saps and phloem exudates or total sugars in phloem exudates of tea plants from pot and field experiments showed their highest levels in bud breaking and shoot extension in early spring (March and early April). Application of Mg increased the amounts of amino acids and total sugars in the xylem saps and phloem exudates. CONCLUSION: Adequate supply of Mg nutrient promoted the synthesis of theanine in roots and its accumulation in the young shoots of tea plants. Magnesium nutritional status was an important factor influencing the mobility of amino acids and sugars via xylem and phloem especially when N and C reserves remobilized to support spring growth of young shoots. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Differentiation of Cordyceps Sinensis by a PCR-Single-Stranded Conformation Polymorphism-Based Method and Characterization of the Fermented Products in Taiwan

Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc., which is a part of traditional Chinese medicine, has been used as a tonic food and herbal medicine in Asia for centuries. C. sinensis is sold as powders, and the quality is often questionable. To confirm the quality of C. sinensis, products were purchased from different supermarkets in Taiwan. Product samples were analyzed using PCR-single-stranded conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) assay based on internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). PCR-SSCP patterns distinguished ten samples into six groups, but no sample was grouped with representative C. sinensis (rCS). Only two of the ten C. sinensis functional ingredient samples (CSFFMS) tested CB and ST, were similar to the reference product of C. sinensis. This in consistent result could be caused by poor fermentation control process, contamination of original marketing samples or adultration. Therefore, the use of PCR-SSCP could be used for species differentiation or the detection of mutations based on ITS2 region in C. sinensis. The method represents a potential novel means for the differentiation of Cordyceps herbal medicines/functional ingredients and could be used as a quality control in the Cordyceps fermentation industry.     

Uptake of fluoride by tea plant (Camellia sinensis L) and the impact of aluminium

Tea plant (Camellia sinensis L) accumulates large amounts of fluoride in mature leaves from soils of normal fluoride availabilities, but the properties of fluoride absorption by this plant species are not well understood. The present study examined the characteristic of fluoride uptake by tea plants and the impact of Al with solution and soil experiments. The results showed that the fluoride taken up by tea plants was largely and readily transported, in particular to the leaves. The fluoride in leaves increased linearly with fluoride concentrations in the uptake solution (R² = 0.75, P < 0.001) or in the soil (R² = 0.88, P < 0.001), whereas those in root and stem were only marginally influenced. Including Al in solution or adding Al to the soil apparently increased the uptake and translocation of fluoride to the leaves. The concentrations of fluoride in the leaves were significantly (P < 0.05) increased by 19.1% or 37.7% when 18.5 µmol l^?1 Al or 74.1 µmol l^?1 Al respectively was included in the uptake solution, compared with the control without Al during an uptake period of 22 h. Similarly, Al application (100 mg kg^?1) to soil led to significantly higher fluoride concentrations in mature leaves and new shoots (one bud with three leaves). By contrast, the concentrations of Al in leaves in solution and soil experiments were not affected by fluoride and Al treatments. Nevertheless, higher Al concentrations after Al and fluoride additions were observed in the new shoots in soil experiments. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of soil pH on the uptake of Al,F and other elements by tea plants

Soil extractable Al, F and Zn concentrations decreased whereas extractable Ca, Cu, K, Mg, Na and P concentrations increased when the soil pH was raised from 3 to 6. These trends led to a decrease in growth of tea seedlings as determined by measurements of relative dry weight gain (RDW), relative leaf number gain (RLN) and relative leaf area gain (RLA). Tea seedlings of both ‘large‐leafed’ and ‘small‐leafed’ varieties grown in soils at pH 3 and 3.5 were the tallest and healthiest, while those at pH 6 died after 3 months. The large‐leafed variety showed higher growth rates than the small‐leafed variety. The highest (p < 0.05) amounts of Al and F, 4225 and 430 mg kg^?1 respectively, were found in seedlings under pH 3.5 treatment. When Al and F concentrations in seedlings increased, elements such as Ca, Mg, Na and Zn gently decreased (p < 0.05) whereas P increased. K and Cu were not affected. The results indicated that soil pH values higher than 4 reduced Al and F concentrations in tea plants. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

The Potassium,Sodium, Magnesium,Calcium and Phosphate Nutrition of Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris) Grown on Soils Containing Incorporated Straw

Between 1990 and 1992, a series of three experiments compared the effects of incorporating or removing straw from a total of five preceding cereal crops on the nutrient concentration, uptake and processing quality of sugarbeet. Incorporated straw increased K concentrations in tops and roots and increased total K uptake by c 40 kg ha^-1. Conversely, incorporated straw reduced Na concentrations and reduced total Na uptake by c 10 kg ha^-1. Straw incorporation had little effect on root processing quality, because whilst K impurities increased in the straw incorporated treatments, Na impurities were reduced. Generally, any effects of straw disposal method on concentration and uptake of phosphorus, calcium and magnesium were small and of little agronomic or economic significance. In the absence of regular soil analysis it is recommended that when straw has been incorporated that K fertiliser rates for beet are reduced by c 20 kg ha^-1. This is less than the allowance made for cereals. Also, contrary to the current cereal recommendation, there was no evidence for reducing P inputs when straw had been incorporated. © 1997 SCI.     

Leaf analysis as a guide to the nutrition of fruit crops. X. Magnesium and phosphorus sand culture experiments with apple

Sand culture pot experiments were carried out on young virus-tested dessert apples, on MM.104 rootstocks, to study the effects of different levels of nutrient Mg and P on growth, flower production, crop yield and leaf nutrient composition. The relationship between leaf nutrient status and growth and fruiting was also investigated with a view to establishing “critical” leaf nutrient values for Mg and P. Variations in leaf Mg, over the range 0.07 to 0.33% Mg in dry matter (August sampling), had no significant effect (5% level) on growth and fruiting, although magnesium deficiency symptoms appeared on trees with leaf values less than 0.15% Mg in dry matter. Sub-clinical concentrations of leaf P had very pronounced effects on growth, flowering and yield. Raising leaf P (July) from 0.15 to 0.25% P in dry matter doubled the number of flowers (in some years) in the following season and substantially increased growth and crop yield. In the absence of other limiting factors, and with adequate levels of N, the “critical” leaf P level in July—August would appear to be in the region of 0.25% P in dry matter.     

Identification of Cordyceps sinensis by 18S nrDNA Sequencing and Characterization of Fermented Products in Taiwan

With increased demand for Cordyceps sinensis teleomorphs, anamorph fermented products have been used as substitutes. This has raised questionable quality control challenges and consequently the need for molecular methods to identify C. sinensis. Internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS 1), 5.8S, and ITS 2 nrDNA sequence identities were only 85.7–100% between each C. sinensis isolate. However, 18S nrDNA NS5/NS6 region sequences were almost identical and have potential for molecular characterization and diversity of isolates. The NS5/NS6 region sequences were compared to GenBank data and other Cordyceps spp. The Cfo I and Rsa I restriction determined signature sequences were used to successfully characterize 12 fermented products. This innovative method can be applied to C. sinensis teleomorph and anamorph identification and to improve quality control.     

A potential contribution of the less negatively charged cell wall to the high aluminum tolerance of Rhodotorula taiwanensis RS1

Rhodotorula taiwanensis RS1 (Rt) is a high‐aluminum (Al)‐tolerant yeast that can survive Al at concentrations up to 200 mM. In this study, we compared Rt with an Al‐sensitive congeneric strain, R. mucilaginosa AKU 4812 (Rm) and Al sensitive mutant 1 (alsm1) of Rt, to explore the Al tolerance mechanisms of Rt. The growth of Rm was completely inhibited by 1 mM Al, but that of Rt was not inhibited until Al concentration was more than 70 mM. The growth of alsm1 was inhibited much more by 70 mM and 100 mM Al than that of Rt. Compared with Rm cells, Rt cells accumulated less Al in the cell wall and cytoplasm. A time‐course analysis showed that Al was absorbed by Rm cells much more rapidly than by Rt cells when exposed to the same Al concentration. Meanwhile, the Al content of alsm1 was higher than that of Rt. Although the cell wall of Rt was thicker than that of alsm1 and Rm under control and 0.1 mM Al, that of Rt was thinner than that of alsm1 under 70 mM Al despite that their cell walls were thickened. The alcian blue adsorption was lower and cell wall zeta‐potential was higher in Rt and alsm1 than in Rm, indicating a less negative charge of cell wall of Rt and alsm1 than that of Rm. Taken together, the less negatively charged cell wall of Rt may restrict the adsorption of cationic Al in cells, potentially contributing to its high Al tolerance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

不同产地中华绒螯蟹鉴定方法及其研究进展

中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis),俗称河蟹、大闸蟹,是我国特有名贵水产品。由于不同产区地理环境、养殖模式差异大,知名品牌中华绒螯蟹往往具有更高的价值,但同时也导致了近年来假冒原产地大闸蟹的现象越来越严重。目前亟须建立客观、有效的中华绒螯蟹产地判别方法。因此,越来越多的学者开展了不同产地中华绒螯蟹的鉴定与研究,常见的判别方法包括形态指标鉴定,生化指标鉴定,元素指纹特征鉴定,稳定同位素技术鉴定,电子鼻、电子舌鉴定及分子生物学鉴定等。本文中综述了各种鉴定方法的优缺点,简要介绍了应用上述方法鉴定中华绒螯蟹的研究进展,并对今后中华绒螯蟹鉴定研究的发展趋势进行了探讨,可为探索和建立客观、可靠、快速的中华绒螯蟹产地判别方法提供一定的理论参考。     

Camellia sinensis tea melanin suppresses transformation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor and prevents against dioxin-induced toxicity in mice

The suppressive effects of Camellia sinensis tea melanin (CSTM) on transformation of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) were disclosed for the first time. CSTM strongly inhibited TCDD-induced toxicity with IC₅₀ equalling 20.4 μg mL⁻¹. Daily administration of CSTM (40 mg kg⁻¹, p.o.) prevented TCDD-induced body weight loss, ameliorated TCDD-induced mortality and prevented TCDD-induced hepatomegaly and thymic atrophy. Co-administration of CSTM significantly inhibited TCDD-induced hepatic CYP1 A1 activity. CSTM retarded transformation of AhR in vitro. In animals treated with CSTM, the antibody-secreting cells produced significantly (P < 0.05) more antibodies (32–34%) than the antigen control. Administration of TCDD caused a suppression of antibody-forming cells of 29–33% against the antigen control level. Co-administration of CSTM restored immunity to the control level. We demonstrated that CSTM directly competed with TCDD during the transformation of AhR and suppressed the downstream activation of genes associated with TCDD toxicity.     

Protective effect of Cordyceps militaris against high glucose-induced oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

The protective effect of Cordyceps militaris against high glucose-induced oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), as compared with Cordyceps sinensis, was examined. The cytotoxicity of HUVECs induced by 40 mM glucose was ameliorated by water extracts of C. militaris (CME) and water extracts of C. sinensis (CSE). CME and CSE inhibited the increase in ROS and NO in HUVECs induced by 40 mM high glucose. Moreover, CME increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, modulated the mitochondrial membrane potential and reduced the caspase-3 activity in high glucose-induced HUVECs. In addition, cordycepin, a component of CME and CSE, displayed protective effects against oxidative stress, which was partly responsible for the cytoprotective effects of CME and CSE against high glucose-induced oxidative stress in HUVECs. Overall, the obtained results show C. militaris helps preventing diabetic endothelial dysfunction and related complications.     

The Distribution of Pyrimidinone Glucosides in Developing Seedlings of Vicia faba and Vicia narbonensis

The distribution of the pyrimidinone glucopyranosides vicine and convicine was investigated in resting seed and axenic developing seedlings up to 17 days of age in Vicia faba cv Troy, a low seed pyrimidinone glucopyranoside mutant (MTG5) derived from Troy, and a related species V narbonensis. The lower amounts of total vicine and convicine in resting seed of MTG5 were due primarily to a reduction in cotyledon pyrimidinone glucopyranosides, with the amount in the embryo axis much less affected. Distribution within developing seedlings revealed consistent patterns. A pulse of vicine appeared in both species in stems and roots at day 4 to day 7, then declined. Amounts of convicine rose initially then declined in seedling stems of both species, whereas in roots the rise in convicine continued throughout the period. The rise in convicine in the roots of V narbonensis could not have been accounted for by conversion from reserves of vicine. The low pyrimidinone glucopyranoside mutant MTG5 had less vicine initially in stems and roots than both Troy and V. narbonensis but by 17 days this had risen close to the levels of Troy and exceeded those of V narbonensis. By flowering, amounts of vicine and convicine in glass-house grown plants were similar in MTG5 and Troy. The levels of both compounds in the roots of MTG5 exceeded those of the sown seed. Consequently, both V faba and V narbonensis have the capacity to synthesise vicine and convicine in young plants. A mutation in a gene controlling levels of pyrimidinone glucopyranosides in the developing seed of V faba does not suppress the biosynthetic ability of young plants.     

Influence of phenolic acids on morphological changes in roots of Pisum sativum

At relatively high concentrations (1 mM), ferulic, vanillic, p-coumaric, p-hydroxybenzoic, syringic and caffeic acids inhibited the growth of roots of Pisum sativum L cultured in a Hoagland nutrient solution under axenic conditions. These phenolic acids also profoundly affected root morphology in terms of extension growth of the main root and the number and size of the lateral roots. The precise growth effects depended on the phenolic acid. At concentrations that inhibited an increase in the length of the main root, the phenolic acids also inhibited cell division. To produce the maximum growth effect, the phenolic acids must be present continuously. Lower concentrations (1 μM)of the phenolic acids also affected root growth and morphology when the nitrogen content of the nutrient solution was limiting.     

Effects of dietary replacement of fish oil by vegetable oil on proximate composition and odor profile of hepatopancreas and gonad of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

Five different diets with different ratio of fish oil to vegetable oil were prepared. The biological index and proximate composition of Eriocheir sinensis fed with different diets were compared, and then sensory analysis, electronic nose (E‐nose) and headspace‐solid phase micro‐extraction combined with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometer (HS‐SPME‐GC‐MS) analysis were applied to determine the odor profile of E. sinensis. The results showed that partial replacement (50%–75%) of fish oil by vegetable oil (FO/VO) was beneficial to the weight increment, nutrition accumulation, and odor‐active compounds (OACs) formation of E. sinensis. A total of 7 and 11 OACs were detected in the hepatopancreas and gonad, respectively, these OACs contributed greatly to the overall odor profiles of E. sinensis when the dietary replacement levels were at 50% and 75%, respectively. The results could provide the guide for dietary fish oil replacement as well as improving the odor quality of E. sinensis. Practical application The objective of this research is to compare the effects of dietary replacement of fish oil by vegetable oil on proximate composition and odor profiles of E.sinensis. The results obtained from this study would not only chose an optimal dietary replacement level and serve as a useful database for the odor of female and crabs, but also provide some guide for the improvement of Chinese mitten crab aquaculture.     

Short Thermal Treatment Effect on Carp Myofibril and Sarcoplasmic Reticulum: Possible Mechanisms in Rigor Mortis Acceleration by "Arai" Treatment

Inorganic γ-phosphate liberation from adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) by carp myofibrillar ATPase was measured at 0-60°C to elucidate mechanisms in rigor mortis acceleration of sliced carp muscle during washing at a moderately high temperature. ATP splitting within 20 sec in the presence of 5 mM MgCl₂ plus 0.25 mM CaCl₂ was maximal at 45°C, which agreed well with the commercially adopted condition for preparing carp “arai” muscle. In addition, the maximum Ca²⁺ uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum was observed at 30°C and decreased at higher temperatures. The acceleration of carp muscle rigor mortis at around 45°C was suggested to be partly due to enhancement of myofibrillar Mg²⁺-ATPase activity by increase of intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration.     

云南不同品种大叶种茶树生化成分季节变化特征分析

探讨品种及季节对云南大叶种茶树生化成分的影响,为茶树种植品种及茶叶加工采摘季节的选择提供一定理论依据.采用云南大叶种云抗10号、云抗14号、雪芽100号、佛香2号和紫娟共5个品种为供试材料,在春、夏和秋三季,分别取其新梢的一芽二叶进行蒸青固样,分析不同季节5个茶树品种主要生化成分(水分、水浸出物、茶多酚、儿茶素组分、氨...     

Molecular authentication of the fashionable dainty <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eriocheir japonica sinensis</Emphasis> based on mitochondrial DNA bar coding

Eriocheir japonica sinensis has long been regarded as a fashionable dainty in China and other Asian countries for its good taste and rich nutrition. The largest and most economically important mitten crab belongs to E. j. sinensis. But now, E. j. sinensis resource has been intermixed with E. j. hepuensis, which is similar to E. j. sinensis in morphology. In addition, the germplasm resource will be declining rapidly for the two subspecies’ intermixture. Development of pure E. j. sinensis breed will be a dominant topic in future aquaculture. Molecular markers including DNA bar coding are stable and less affected by external environment, and have been widely used for the discrimination of species or subspecies. In this study, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of two gene sequences were analyzed, and 17 stably variable sites were confirmed in Cytb and 11 sites in COI sequences, which might be used as the specific DNA bar coding of the two subspecies. Then, two pairs of diagnostic primers (P1F/P1R, P2F/P2R) on stably variable sites were designed and proved to be valid in E. j. sinensis germplasm authentication for future aquaculture and could be extended for application of identification in food industry.     

Studies on potassium nutrition of plants III.—Effects of potassium concentration on growth and mineral composition of vegetable seedlings in solution culture

Because of diffusion, the effective concentration of nutrients in contact with plant roots in sand culture is much less than the concentration of the nutrient solution supplied. For comparison with earlier observations in sand culture, solution culture experiments have been made with cabbage and red beet seedlings using readily available equipment for the control, within reasonable limits, of the potassium concentration of the root environment. Weight responses and K content of tops and roots, Na content of tops, top: root weight ratios, percentage dry residue of top and root and potassium flux through the roots were influenced in similar ways by increase of K⁺ concentration in the medium. There were steep slopes to about K_0·1 followed by an abrupt change of slope and levelling off or a slight fall at the highest potassium concentrations. The weight responses, K content of top and root and potassium flux increased with increasing nutrient medium K⁺ concentration whereas the other relationships were in the reverse direction. Root potassium contents increased in a similar manner to those of the tops but were lower than the latter at corresponding medium K⁺ concentrations. Root sodium contents rose to a maximum at a medium concentration of 0·1 mequiv./1 of K⁺ and thereafter fell with increasing potassium in the medium. The sums of the cation equivalents (K, Na, Mg, Ca) in the tops and roots were approximately constant. The limiting potassium concentration was determined from the response curves as the lowest concentration at which maximum yield was obtained. For beet in solution culture, the value was 0·15 and the corresponding concentration in sand culture was 0·7 mequiv./1 (ratio, sand/solution = 4·7); the values for cabbage were, respectively, 0·13 and 0·5 mequiv./1 (ratio, 3·8). The rate of removal of potassium by beet seedlings from solutions containing initial concentrations in the range 0·01-5 mequiv./1 was determined. The flux of potassium through the root surfaces varied from 0·35–1·89 μg K/g root/sec with increasing initial concentration in the medium.