The Anthocyanin Accumulation Related ZmBZ1, Facilitates Seedling Salinity Stress Tolerance via ROS Scavenging

Anthocyanins are a class of antioxidants that scavenge free radicals in cells and play an important role in promoting human health and preventing many diseases. Here, we characterized a maize Bronze gene (BZ1) from the purple colored W22 introgression line, which encodes an anthocyanin 3-O-glucosyltransferase, a key enzyme in the anthocyanin synthesis pathway. Mutation of ZmBZ1 showed bronze-colored seeds and reduced anthocyanins in seeds aleurone layer, seedlings coleoptile, and stem of mature plants by comparison with purple colored W22 (WT). Furthermore, we proved that maize BZ1 is an aleurone layer-specific expressed protein and sub-located in cell nucleus. Real-time tracing of the anthocyanins in developing seeds demonstrated that the pigment was visible from 16 DAP (day after pollination) in field condition, and first deposited in the crown part then spread all over the seed. Additionally, it was transferred along with the embryo cell activity during seed germination, from aleurone layer to cotyledon and coleoptile, as confirmed by microscopy and real-time qRT-PCR. Finally, we demonstrated that the ZmBZ1 contributes to stress tolerance, especially salinity. Further study proved that ZmBZ1 participates in reactive oxygen scavenging (ROS) by accumulating anthocyanins, thereby enhancing the tolerance to abiotic stress.     

Factors contributing to resistance of exotic maize populations to maize weevil,Sitophilus zeamais

Factors contributing to resistance of maize to infestation by the corn weevilSitophilus zeamais were investigated in four populations of indigenous and improved maize from Belize. Resistance was related to the antifeedant properties of grain as well as sugar content and mechanical hardness. Grain extracts of all populations of maize significantly reduced insect feeding on treated artificial diets when compared to control diets. Consumption of treated diets was negatively correlated with phenolic content of the grain extract. An analysis by GC-MS indicated that ferulic acid andp-coumaric acid were the principal phenolics present in the extracts, and insect feeding was strongly deterred when pure substances were added to insect diets. Fluorescence associated with ferulic acid and related compounds in grain sections was located in the pericarp and aleurone layer and was especially intense in the most resistant grain variety.Contribution No. 838.     

The distribution of lipids in the germ,endosperm, pericarp and tip cap of amylomaize,LG-11 hybrid maize and waxy maize

The quantitative distribution of 23 acyl lipid classes and unsaponifiable matter in kernels of amylomaize, LG-11 hybrid maize and waxy maize is described. LG-11 and waxy maize were normal (oil content) varieties, containing 4.9% and 5.1% lipid, respectively, while amylomaize (9.3% lipid) was a high oil variety. The distribution of kernel lipids was 76–83% in germ, 1–2% in pericarp, 1% in tip cap, 1–11% in starch, and 13–15% in aleurone plus the nonstarch fraction of the starchy endosperm. Germ contained 39–47% lipid, which was nostly triglyceride (TG), with some steryl esters (SE) and diglycerides (DG), and small amounts of glycolipids (GL) and phospholipids (PL). Aleurone lipids appeared to be TG with some free fatty acids (FFA) and SE. The other nonstarch lipids in starchy endosperm were FFA with very small amounts of SE, DG, GL and PL. The starches had a little surface lipid (FFA) and true (internal) starch lipid (FFA, lyso-PL) in quantities roughly related to amylose content (amylomaize =ca. 73% amylose, 1.0% lipid; LG-11=23% amylose, 0.7% lipid; waxy maize =<5% amylose, 0.2% lipid). Pericarp lipids (0.8–2.5%) were mainly unsaponifiable matter, the acyl lipids being TG, SE, DG and FFA. Tip cap lipids (2.5–2.9%) had more TG, GL and PL than pericarp lipids, but were otherwise similar. Pericarp lipids and endosperm nonstarch lipids appeared to have suffered extensive degradation at some time during kernel development or after harvesting, while lipids in starch, germ and tip cap were evidently unaffected. FFA and lyso-PL are regarded as normal components of maize starch (rather than degradation products) and may occur as amylose inclusion complexes.     

体外消化对蓝莓提取物抗氧化、抗癌及组分的影响

以蓝莓为原料,考察了体外消化前、后蓝莓提取物(总酚和花色苷)含量、抗氧化性、抗癌作用及花色苷组成的变化,并推测了花色苷的降解途径。分别采用福林-酚法和pH示差法测定总酚和花色苷含量;以脂质体的抑制率、DPPH和ABTS+自由基清除能力评价体外消化前后提取物的抗氧化能力;利用高效液相色谱-电喷雾二级质谱联用技术分析花色苷组成。结果表明,与未经消化的提取物相比,经肠道消化后样品总酚含量增加47.21%,花色苷含量降低71.82%,脂质体的抑制率、DPPH和ABTS+自由基清除率分别提高38.45%、29.41%和29.12%;对Hep G2肝癌细胞、A549肺癌细胞和Hela人宫颈癌细胞的生长抑制作用显著增加,蓝莓花色苷组分由12种降为9种。对胃肠消化花色苷的降解过程推测发现,矢车菊素-3-葡萄糖苷降解形成槲皮素的过程与天竺葵素-3-葡萄糖苷降解成山柰酚的过程机制相同。     

Optimization of the Extraction of Anthocyanins from the Fruit Skin of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Ait.) Hassk and Identification of Anthocyanins in the Extract Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS)

Anthocyanins are naturally occurring polyphenols that impart bright color to fruits, vegetables and plants. In this study, the extraction of anthocyanins from freeze-dried fruit skin of downy rose-myrtle (Rhodomyrtus tomentosa (Ait.) Hassk var. Gangren) was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Using 60% ethanol containing 0.1% (v/v) hydrochloric acid as extraction solvent, the optimal conditions for maximum yields of anthocyanin (4.358 ± 0.045 mg/g) were 15.7:1 (v/w) liquid to solid ratio, 64.38 °C with a 116.88 min extraction time. The results showed good fits with the proposed model for the anthocyanin extraction (R(2) = 0.9944). Furthermore, the results of high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) analysis of the anthocyanins extracted from the fruit skin of downy rose-myrtle revealed the presence of five anthocyanin components, which were tentatively identified as delphinidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, peonidin-3-glucoside, petunidin-3-glucoside and malvidin-3-glucoside.     

Polyacylated Anthocyanins in Bluish-Purple Petals of Chinese Bellflower,Platycodon grandiflorum

The bluish-purple petals of Chinese bellflower, Platycodon grandiflorum (kikyo in Japanese), contain platyconin (1) as the major anthocyanin. Platyconin (1) is a polyacylated anthocyanin with two caffeoyl residues at the 7-position, and its color is stable in a diluted, weakly acidic aqueous solutions. HPLC analysis of the fresh petal extract showed the presence of several minor pigments. Photo-diode array detection of minor pigments suggested that some of these were polyacylated anthocyanins. To establish the relationship between structure and stability of the acylated anthocyanins and to obtain information on their biosynthetic pathways, minor pigments were isolated from the petals, and their structures were determined by MS and NMR analyses. Four known (2–5) and three new anthocyanins (6–8) were identified, which contained a delphinidin chromophore, and four of these (5–8) were diacylated anthocyanins, in which the acyl-glucosyl-acyl-glucosyl chain was attached at the 7-O-position of the delphinidin chromophore. These diacylated anthocyanins exhibited a bluish-purple color at pH 6, which was stable for more than a week.     

Recent Progress of Flower Colour Modification by Biotechnology

Genetically-modified, colour-altered varieties of the important cut-flower crop carnation have now been commercially available for nearly ten years. In this review we describe the manipulation of the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway that has lead to the development of these varieties and how similar manipulations have been successfully applied to both pot plants and another cut-flower species, the rose. From this experience it is clear that down- and up-regulation of the flavonoid and anthocyanin pathway is both possible and predictable. The major commercial benefit of the application of this technology has so far been the development of novel flower colours through the development of transgenic varieties that produce, uniquely for the target species, anthocyanins derived from delphinidin. These anthocyanins are ubiquitous in nature, and occur in both ornamental plants and common food plants. Through the extensive regulatory approval processes that must occur for the commercialization of genetically modified organisms, we have accumulated considerable experimental and trial data to show the accumulation of delphinidin based anthocyanins in the transgenic plants poses no environmental or health risk.     

Anthocyanins Profile of Grape Berries of Vitis amurensis, Its Hybrids and Their Wines

Anthocyanins are responsible for the color of grapes and wine, an important attribute of their quality. Many authors have used anthocyanins profile to classify the grape cultivars and wine authenticity. The anthocyanin profiles of grape berries of Vitis amurensis, its hybrids and their wines were analyzed by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The results identified 17 anthocyanins in these grape cultivars, including 11 anthocyanin monoglucosides (five pyranoanthocyanin monoglucosides and one acylated pyranoanthocyanin monoglucoside) and six anthocyanin diglucosides. Likewise, 15 kinds of anthocyanins were detected in wines, including six diglucosides and nine monoglucosides of anthocyanidins, in which four pyranoanthocyanin monoglucosides (Petunidin-3-O-glucoside-4-acetaldehyde, Malvidin-3-O-glucoside-4-pyruvic acid, Malvidin-3-O-glucoside-acetaldehyde and Peonidin-3-O-glucoside-4-pyruvic acid) were detected. In addition, a total of 14 kinds of anthocyanins including six diglucosides and eight monoglucosides of anthocyanidins were identified in skins, in which two pyranoanthocyanin monoglucosides (Peonidin-3-O-glucoside-4-pyruvic acid, Malvidin-3-O-glucoside-4-vinylphenol) and one acylated pyranoanthocyanin monoglucoside (Malvidin-3-O-(6-O-acetyl)-glucoside-4-vinylphenol) were detected. The anthocyanins profile of grape skin of V. amurensis and its hybrids consist of the anthocyanin monoglucosides, diglucosides and pyranoanthocyanins. The wines produced resulted in a slightly different anthocyanin distribution. Pelargonidin-3,5-diglucosides was first found in the skins and wines, however, no acetyl was detected in wines. The principal component analysis results suggest that the anthocyanin profiles were helpful to classify these cultivars of V. amurensis.     

Enhanced maize (Zea mays L.) pericarp browning: Associations with insect resistance and involvement of oxidizing enzymes

The kernel pericarp of a maize (Zea mays L.) inbred, Mp313E, that browns rapidly at milk stage when damaged and that is resistant toAspergillus flavus Link and the dusky sap beetleCarpophilus lugubris Murray compared to a susceptible inbred, SC212M, was examined for differing oxidizing enzymes (peroxidases) and their substrate specificity. Additional pericarp enzymes were constitutively produced by the Mp313E inbred compared to the SC212M inbred, as indicated by gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. These enzymes oxidized relevent pericarp substrates such as ferulic acid. Similar results were seen with two varieties of maize containing theCh mutant gene, which brown upon senescence in that enhanced oxidation of ferulic acid was seen in homogenates of browned pericarp compared to that which was cold-shocked and did not brown. Corn powder that was browned by mixing oxidizing enzymes with corn pericarp components ferulic acid and coumaric acid were typically less preferred/more toxic to caterpillars such asHelicoverpa zea (Boddie) and sap beetles such asC. lugubris. Thus, enhanced browning of maize pericarp can promote resistance to insects and is at least partly influenced by the presence of oxidizing enzymes. This mechanism may also promote resistance to maize pathogens, including those that produce mycotoxins.     

微波辅助提取紫薯花青素的研究

文章以紫薯为原料,在微波条件下萃取其花青素,探讨了微波的辐射时间,温度,液固比,提取剂浓度对紫薯花青素萃取的影响,并采用大孔树脂AB-8纯化提取液,将纯化后的提取液进行反相高效液相色谱分析其成分。实验结果表明,紫薯花青素微波最佳提取条件为:辐射时间60 s,温度50℃,液固比40∶1,提取剂为1%HCl-95%乙醇溶液,最佳酸醇比为50∶50。     

A method for dyeing cotton fabric with anthocyanin dyes extracted from mulberry (Morus rubra) fruits

For the first time, the natural anthocyanin dyes (mainly consisting of cyanidine 3‐glycoside) extracted from mulberry (Morus rubra) fruits has been successfully used to dye cotton fabric, with a dyeing property performance good enough for potential commercial applications. In this study, succinic acid was firstly incorporated into cotton fabrics by esterification to the hydroxyl groups of cellulose, forming an anionic site for the dyes. The performance of the modified material was characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and tensile strength. Results showed that the tensile strength of cotton fabrics was mostly retained after modification. The anthocyanin extracts from mulberry fruits were used to study the dyeability of the control and modified cotton fabrics. Red and deep purple (aubergine) are two main shades of cotton fabrics dyed with mulberry fruit extracts. Most importantly, aubergine shade is rare in cotton fabrics dyed with natural dyes. Modification with succinic acid clearly increased the colour strength of the dyed cotton fabric. The colour strength of dyed cotton fabric was improved from 2.7 to 5.3 in the case of dyeing without mordants, and from 3.2 to 6.9 in the case of dyeing with tin mordanting. Meanwhile, the colour fastness was improved by 0.5–2 grades with increasing succinic acid concentration in the finish solution. The colour fastness to perspiration, crocking, light, and washing of fabric dyed with simultaneous tin mordanting and modified with 30 g l^?1 of succinic acid was found to be acceptable, with a grey scale grade of at least 3. As for home laundering, neutral soapy solution was more acceptable than alkaline soapy solution.     

Anthocyanins/chitosan films doped by nano zinc oxide for active and intelligent packaging: comparison of anthocyanins source from purple tomato or black wolfberry

The multifunctional films was prepared by blending chitosan and nano-ZnO with purple tomato anthocyanins or black wolfberry anthocyanins. The properties of films functioned by anthocyanins source and nano-ZnO content were studied. It was found purple tomato anthocyanins showed more significant color change against pH than black wolfberry anthocyanins. The nano-ZnO were widely dispersed in matrix and enhanced the compatibility of anthocyanins with chitosan. However, the anthocyanins source influenced the properties of the films more slightly than nano-ZnO addition. The tensile strength, antioxidant and antibacterial effects of the chitosan films dramatically increased after cooperated by nano-ZnO and anthocyanins, which also enhanced with increase of nano-ZnO content, whereas the elongation at break of the composite films decreased. Especially, the anthocyanin and nano-ZnO promoted the antibacterial activity of films synergistically. Composite films made from black wolfberry anthocyanins exhibited higher mechanical performance than those made from purple tomato anthocyanins but weaker antibacterial effects. The purple tomato anthocyanins/chitosan and nano-ZnO/purple tomato anthocyanins/chitosan films effectively reflected pork spoilage, changing their colors from dark green to brown, indicating the potential for applications in active and intelligent food packaging.     

Dyeing polyamide in bulk with perylene pigments

Conclusions Differences in color tones of texturized polyamide yarn which has been dyed in bulk with perylene Bordeaux pigment of various commercial grades are caused by the type and content of technological impurities in the technical product.Instability in color tone of the dyed yarn is caused by a partial, reversible reduction of the pigment in the polymer melt.A free PTA content as a technological impurity in perylene Bordeaux pigment helps improve the color characteristics of the yarn and the color stability.Translated from Khimicheskie Volokna, No. 1, pp. 21–23, January–February, 1985.     

Comparison of constitutive wheat bran tissues by dielectric spectroscopy and effect of their moisture content

The dielectric properties of hand‐isolated wheat bran tissues (outer pericarp, intermediate and aleurone layers) were studied at 58 % and 75 % RH between 0.001 and 1E10 + 6 Hz. The measured values of the real and imaginary parts of bran tissue capacitances were modelled using an electrical circuit consisting of a constant phase angle component (CPA), a Warburg impedance and a parallel capacitance. The theoretical data from the equivalent circuit are in close agreement with the experimental values and allowed us to characterize the dielectric properties of the tissue. These results showed that the aleurone layer was the most capacitive tissue even though the outer pericarp exhibited the highest resistivity. Finally, tissue moisture contents were deduced from isotherm sorption measurements for a range of RH, and the water effect on their dielectric properties was analyzed. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

蔺草固色染土改性及其性能研究

利用纳米TiO2、叶绿素添加剂等有效成分对蔺草固色所用染土进行改性,并保持其它固色工艺条件不变进行蔺草固色实验,通过测量样品的颜色深度及透射率来表征固色效果及保色效果。结果表明,改性后的染土不但对蔺草具有良好的固色效果,且保色效果优于未改性的染土;改性后染土的实际用量在目前蔺草固色工艺的基础上降低70%左右,大大降低了固色成本;通过控制染土的实际用量,有效降低了蔺草作业环境中的粉尘浓度,达到了改善工人工作环境的目的。     

Lipids in the germ,endosperm and pericarp of the developing maize kernel

Acyl lipids were quantified in the germ, endosperm and pericarp of LG-11 maize kernels at eight stages of development from 9 to 87 days after pollination (DAP). Changes in the lipids are discussed in relation to morphological events in the developing kernel. Storage lipids (triglyceride, steryl ester) and membrane lipids (diacylphospholipids) accumulated in germ until 52-76 DAP, then decreased slightly without formation of lipid degradation products, lated in endosperm until 36-42 DAP and then decreased. Maximum values for galactosyldiglycerides and diacylphospholipids (nonstarch lipids) were reached at 16-23 DAP, and all decreased to very low values at maturity. Loss of these functional (membrane) lipids during the period of endosperm cell filling is unexpected. Starch contained 82% of the lysophospholipids and 64% of the free fatty acids in endosperm at 76 DAP. Endosperm lysophospholipids increased until 76 DAP and then decreased slightly, while free fatty acids increased continuously mostly inside starch granules at all stages of development, and any possible decrease after 76 DAP was masked by acids formed by hydrolysis of aleurone and endosperm nonstarch lipids from 52 DAP. In DAP, and phospholipids decreased after 42 DAP. Loss of these lipids is associated with senescence of most pericarp tissue. Triglycerides and steryl esters accumulated steadily to maturity, while the main accumulation of unsaponifiables occurred after 52 DAP about the time of suberin formation.     

Development and evaluation of a novel pH indicator biodegradable film based on cassava starch

A pH indicator film based on cassava starch plasticized with sucrose and inverted sugar and incorporated with grape and spinach extracts as pH indicator sources (anthocyanin and chlorophyll) has been developed, and its packaging properties have been assessed. A second‐order central composite design (2²) with three central points and four star points was used to evaluate the mechanical properties (tensile strength, tensile strength at break, and elongation at break percentage), moisture barrier, and microstructure of the films, and its potential as a pH indicator packaging. The films were prepared by the casting technique and conditioned under controlled conditions (75% relative humidity and 23°C), at least 4 days before the analyses. The materials were exposed to different pH solutions (0, 2, 7, 10, and 14) and their color parameters (L*, a*, b*, and haze) were measured by transmittance. Grape and spinach extracts have affected the material characterization. Film properties (mechanical properties and moisture barrier) were strongly influenced by extract concentration presenting lower results than for the control. Films containing a higher concentration of grape extract presented a greater color change at different pH's suggesting that anthocyanins are more effective as pH indicators than chlorophyll or the mixture of both extracts. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011