The effects of intercepted solar radiation on sunflower (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus annuus</Emphasis> L.) seed composition from different head positions

The effect of intercepted solar radiation during fruit filling on seed weight and oil content from seeds of three sectors of the head in two sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids of low and high potential oil percentage was investigated. Seed weight in each sector depended on both the level of radiation intercepted (modified by shading and thinning plants) and the genotype grown. A higher level of intercepted solar radiation increased seed weight in each sector. Central seeds of shaded plants showed the lowest weight. The seed and kernel oil content hierarchy among the three sectors was modified only in the hybrid with high potential oil content. For each head sector, variations in seed oil content associated with changes in the level of intercepted radiation could be accounted for by changes in the kernel oil content, not in the kernel/seed ratio. Significant relationships were found between seed oil and kernel oil contents when analyses between treatments (R>0.86) and sectors (R>0.92) were carried out. These relationships together with the growing conditions of plants during seed filling, the genotype, and the seed position on the head are essential factors that should be taken into account when selecting seeds in sunflower breeding programs since they affect the commercial/industrial quality of seeds.     

Characterization of Seed,Oil, and Fatty Acid Methyl Esters of an Ethyl Methanesulfonate Mutant of Camelina sativa with Reduced Seed-Coat Mucilage

Camelina sativa L. Crantz (large-seeded false flax) is a promising oilseed crop for the production of edible oil and biodiesel. An ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutant of C. sativa was identified that lacked seed coat mucilage (SCM) using Ruthenium Red (RR) colorimetric staining. Compared with wild-type (WT) plants, the mucilage-defect mutant line (Cs98) had smaller seeds and seeds with significantly less SCM, but exhibited significantly taller plant height. The seed mass and oil content of the seeds of Cs98 were significantly lower than those of WT plants. However, the seeds of Cs98 had significantly higher crude protein and starch contents, but a significantly lower neutral detergent-soluble fiber (NDSF) fraction (pectin) content. Although Cs98 seed contained significantly higher mineral contents for various macro- and microminerals (e.g., Mg, S, Al, Cu, Mn, Fe, and Zn), these large differences did not prevent the Cs98 seed biodiesel from passing all American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards for macro- and micromineral content and viscosity, pH, and turbidity. Notably, the oil and biodiesel derived from Cs98 had significantly reduced viscosity compared with WT. Water washes of oil derived from WT and Cs98 seed confirmed that the Cs98 contained only 57% of the mucilage content of the WT oil washes. These significantly lower pectic residues are expected to improve the flow characteristics of the resultant oil and require less washing during biodiesel production.     

Trierucoylglycerol Biosynthesis in Transgenic Plants of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)

The erucoyl-CoA specific sn-1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (LPAAT) of Limnanthes douglasii was functionally expressed in developing seeds of differing high-erucic acid rapeseed genotypes, namely resynthesized lines and cultivars. Lipid analysis revealed that seed oil of transgenic plants in contrast to that of control plants contained trierucoylglycerol as well as a molecular species with two erucoyl groups and one eicosenoyl group. The proportion of trierucoylglycerol was distinctly higher in the seeds from transgenic resynthesized plants than in those from transgenic cultivars. In pooled seed oil fractions, up to 9% trierucoylglycerol (trierucin) was determined and the fatty acid composition at the sn-2 position was found to consist of more than 40% erucic acid. Since the pooled seeds were segregating for the presence of the L. douglasii gene, the analysis of single seeds gave even higher levels of up to 13% trierucin.     

Determination of conjugated linolenic acid content of selected oil seeds grown in Turkey

Seeds originating from some Turkish sources were analyzed with respect to their characteristics and FA compositions. These seeds represented pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), bitter grourd (Momordica charantia L.), pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.), catalpa (Catalpa bignonoides), bourdaine (Rhamnus frangula L.), Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium), sarsaparilla (Smilax aspera), mahaleb (Prunus mahaleb L.), black-thorn (Prunus spinosa L.), cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus L.), and firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea). Bitter gourd and bourdaine seeds contain more than 20% oil. Catalpa, bourdaine, Oregon grape, blackthorn, and cherry laurel seed oil contents ranged from 15 to 20%. In the seeds from plants belonging to the Rosacea family, oil content ranged from 4.5 to 18.5%. Among the seed oils analyzed, pot marigold had one of the lowest oil contents (5.9%). Pomegranate contained the highest amount of total conjugated linolenic acid (CLNA) (86.0%). Seed oils of bitter grourd, pot marigold, mahaleb, and catalpa were rich in CLNA: 60.0, 29.5, 27.6, and 27.5%, respectively. Bourdaine, Oregon grape, and sarsaparilla seeds contained low amounts of CLNA. On the other hand, mahaleb, bourdaine, catalpa, Oregon grape, sarsaparilla, cherry laurel, blackthorn, and firethorn seed oils are basically oleic and linoleic acid-rich oils and therefore have little drying ability (semidrying oil). The results show a potential for the use of endogenous Turkish seeds as a source of CLNA.     

Profiling of the Beneficial and Potentially Harmful Components of Trichodesma indicum Seed and Seed Oil Obtained by Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction

The beneficial and potentially harmful bioactive components in the seeds and seed oil of Trichodesma indicum L. (Boraginaceae) were investigated in the present study. The T. indicum seeds were rich in oil (29.0%), phenolic compounds (PC, 1881.2 mg per 100 g), and pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA, 2,702,338 ng g⁻¹). Seven PC were identified in T. indicum seeds by liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry system (LC-Q-TOF-MS). Rosmarinic acid (67%) and isomers of salvianolic acid B/E/L (26%) were the main phenolics, while melitric acid A and sebestenoid C/D constituted 6% and 1%, respectively. Only a minor part of the total PC and PA was transferred from the seeds into the oil fraction during the extraction procedure (<0.03%). The T. indicum seed oil was predominated by the following polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA):linoleic (23.2%), γ-linolenic (6.0%), α-linolenic (26.8%), and stearidonic (5.9%). High levels were also observed for oleic (26.7%) and palmitic (7.4%) acids. Additionally, notable amounts of γ-tocopherol (92% of total tocochromanols) and β-sitosterol (53% of total sterols) were found in T. indicum seed oil. The total content of tocochromanols, sterols, and carotenoids in T. indicum seed oil was 102.7, 236.0, and 0.6 mg per 100 g oil, respectively. Among 10 detected hepatotoxic PA in T. indicum seeds, intermedine/lycopsamine/indicine (90.9%), intermedine N-oxide (4.9%), and lycopsamine N-oxide (4.1%) consisted 99.9% of the total PA concentration. The T. indicum seeds should be used carefully due to the presence of PA.     

Untersuchungen über Anbaueignung und Qualitätseigenschaften von Oenothera biennis L.

Investigations in Cultivation Abilities and Seed Quality of Oenothera biennis L. Due to relatively high concentration of γ-linolenic acid seed oil of evening primrose (Oenothera biennis L.) is requested for cosmetian and clinical applications. Variation of oil content and concentration of γ-linolenic acid in the seeds of 50 single wild plants and their selected progenies from different locations were determined. In a phytotron experiment the influence of temperature and nitrogen fertilization on oil content and fatty acid composition were examined. Contrary to other oil plants in evening primrose no influence of different temperature on desaturation degree of the fatty acids – especially on γ-linolenic acid concentration was detectable.     

Phospholipids of environmentally stressed soybean seeds

Protein and oil content of the soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed and the fatty acid composition of the oil can be altered by environmental stress. The objective of this study was to characterize the composition of the phospholipid (PL) from soybean seeds after exposure to drought and high temperature during seed fill. Drought stress was imposed on greenhouse-grown soybean plants at temperatures of 28 and 33‡C after the beginning of seed fill and was maintained throughout the seed-fill period. The fatty acid composition of each PL class was altered by drought and high temperature. With phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, which composed 89% of the separated PL, greater proportions of 16:0 and 18:0 and lesser proportions of 18:2 and 18:3 were present in soybean seeds exposed to high temperature and severe drought. More linolenic acid and less palmitic acid were present in phosphatidylinositol. The changes were comparable to those of the triglyceride because of high temperature. The elevated temperature increased the proportion of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol and decreased that of phosphatidylethanolamine. The effect of drought and high temperature stress on PL class and fatty acid composition has important implications on the quality of soybean seed oil and lecithin and on the ability of the seed to maintain optimum rates of metabolism in the development and germination environment.     

Effect of roasting on the physico-chemical properties,fatty acids,polyphenols and mineral contents of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) seed and oils

The physico-chemical properties, phytochemicals, mineral contents of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) seeds grown at Samsun province in Turkey were evaluated. The oil contents of tobacco seeds ranged from 20.6% (control) to 29.0% (microwave-roasted). L*, a* and b* values of tobacco seeds ranged from 32.38 to 35.61; from 6.32 to 6.78; from 13.72 to 14.27, respectively. Total phenolic contents of tobacco seed extract and oils were reported between 31.02 (oven-roasted) and 34.42 mg GAE/100 g (microwave-roasted) to 4.60 (microwave-roasted) and 6.45 mg GAE/100 g (oven-roasted), respectively. Total flavonoid values of raw and roasted tobacco seed extract and oils were determined between 26.62 (oven) and 67.10 mg/100 g (control) to 21.57 (control) and 44.71 mg/100 g (microwave-roasted), respectively. Gallic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and catechin are the predominant phenolic components of raw and roasted tobacco seed oils. The amounts of oleic and linoleic acid in raw and roasted tobacco seed oils ranged from 10.23% (oven-roasted) to 12.48% (control) and 73.72% (control) to 76.63% (oven-roasted), respectively. The abundant elements found in seeds were K, P, Ca, Mg, S and Fe. The mineral amounts of the roasted seeds were found higher than that of the control. The highest increase was detected in oven roasted tobacco seeds.     

Impact of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Extracts Upon Reserve Mobilization and Energy Metabolism in Germinating Mustard (Sinapis alba L.) Seeds

One commonly observed effect of phytotoxic compounds is the inhibition or delay of germination of sensitive seeds. Mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seeds were incubated with aqueous extracts of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) leaves. Although sunflower phytotoxins did not influence seed viability, extracts completely inhibited seed germination. Inhibition of germination was associated with alterations in reserve mobilization and generation of energy in the catabolic phase of germination. Degradation of lipids was suppressed by sunflower foliar extracts resulting in insufficient carbohydrate supply. The lack of respiratory substrates and decrease in energy (ATP) generation resulted in suppression of the anabolic phase of seed germination and ultimately growth inhibition.Ewa Kupidłowska and Agnieszka Gniazdowska contributed equally to this work.     

Improved Estimation of Oil,Linoleic and Oleic Acid and Seed Hull Fractions in Safflower by NIRS

Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) of intact seeds allows the non-destructive estimation of seed quality parameters which is highly desirable in plant breeding. Together with yield, oil content and quality, a main aim in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) breeding is the selection of genotypes with a low percentage of empty seeds even under cooler climates. We developed NIRS calibrations for seed oil content, oleic and linoleic acid content, the seed hull fraction and the percentage of empty seeds using seed meal and intact seeds. For the different calibrations 108–534 samples from a safflower breeding program with lines adapted to German conditions, were analyzed with reference analyses (Soxhlet, gas chromatography), and scanned by NIRS as intact seeds and seed meal. Calibration equations were developed and tested through cross validation. The coefficient of determination of the calibration (R ²) for intact seeds ranged from 0.91(oil content), 0.90 (seed hull fraction), 0.84 (empty seeds), 0.73 (linoleic acid) to 0.68 (oleic acid). The coefficient of determination of the cross validation was higher for seed meal than for intact seeds except for the parameter seed hull fraction. The results show that NIRS calibrations are applicable in safflower breeding programs for a fast screening.     

Sunflower oil quality and quantity as affected by rhizopus head rot

Sunflower seed (Helianthus annus L.) from plants infected with head rot caused byRhizopus spp. exhibited serious oil quality problems. Free fatty acid content of this oil was 19.4%, compared with 0.8% for oil from seed of healthy plants. Oil from diseased seed was also higher in palmitic, stearic, arachidic, behenic and lignoceric fatty acids. In addition, diseased plants yielded only 81% as much seed and only 55% as much oil.     

Seed Oil Characteristics of Onopordum tauricum Willd. and Prunus laurocerasus L

The characteristics of fatty oils recovered from seeds of Onopordum tauricum Willd. and Prunus laurocerasus L. have been investigated. Gas chromatographic analysis showed that linoleic and oleic acids are predominant component fatty acids of Onopordum tauricum and Prunus laurocerasus seed oils, respectively. In view of technological evaluation, Onopordum tauricum seed oil can be regarded as a semidrying oil while the other shows characteristics of a nondrying oil.     

超声法合成D-葡萄糖酸-δ-内酯

研究了连续性超声反应条件下D-葡萄糖酸-δ-内酯合成的新方法。考察了反应时间、反应温度、葡萄糖与I2的摩尔比对反应的影响。经过正交试验确定了较佳的合成工艺条件为:n(葡萄糖)∶n(I2)=1∶2,40℃下连续超声反应40min,生成的葡萄糖酸钾收率为93%,将其水溶液经过强酸性苯乙烯系阳离子交换树脂柱,酸液在45℃下减压浓缩,20℃下静置过夜重结晶得到D-葡萄糖酸-δ-内酯,收率88%,产物通过IR,1 H NMR得到证实。结果表明,连续性超声反应合成D-葡萄糖酸-δ-内酯,操作简单,反应时间短,收率高。     

Reactive extraction and in situ esterification of Jatropha curcas L. seeds for the production of biodiesel

Jatropha curcas L. has recently been hailed as the promising feedstock for biodiesel production as it does not compete with food sources. Conventional production of biodiesel from J. curcas L. seeds involve two main processing steps; extraction of oil and subsequent esterification/transesterification to fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). In this study, the feasibility of in situ extraction, esterification and transesterification of J. curcas L. seeds to biodiesel was investigated. It was found that the size of the seed and reaction period effect the yield of FAME and amount of oil extracted significantly. Using seed with size less than 0.355 mm and n-hexane as co-solvent with the following reaction conditions; reaction temperature of 60 °C, reaction period of 24 h, methanol to seed ratio of 7.5 ml/g and 15 wt% of H₂SO₄, the oil extraction efficiency and FAME yield can reached 91.2% and 99.8%, respectively. This single step of reactive extraction process therefore can be a potential route for biodiesel production that reduces processing steps and cost.     

Use of NMR for predicting protein concentration in soybean seeds based on oil measurements

Increasing the level of protein in soybean seeds has been a major target for soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] breeders. The objective of this study was to examine the potential of predicting soybean seed protein based on oil values as determined by NMR. Seed protein and oil concentrations were determined in an F₂ population generated from the cross between a G. max (NK, S08-80), and a G. soja (PI 458536) cultivar. The protein concentration in the population ranged from 40.4 to 52.6%. Protein-oil regression analysis was used to generate an equation for predicting seed protein concentration based on oil readings. The regression equation Protein=62.3–1.3 [Oil] (R ²=0.46) was developed, with a corresponding correlation of −0.69 between the traits. With this equation, the mean protein concentration of the selected 25% of the population (a simulated breeding pressure) was greater than the mean of the unselected population (46.1%, SE=0.13) by about 1.9%. Individual F₂ plants that exceeded the mean protein value of the population constituted 86.4% of the selected samples. Selection based on oil concentration, however, failed to include 27.1% of the plants that were among the top 25% for protein concentration. Selection of high-protein plants based on NMR oil measurement was reasonably effective in the test population and might offer a new and rapid method of selecting high-protein individuals in soybean populations derived from the wild soybean progenitor, G. soja. If further tested on other populations and samples, it might be used as an analytical alternative for an indirect measurement of protein concentration based on NMR measurements of the oil.     

A lipidomic approach for profiling and distinguishing seed oils of Hibiscus manihot L., flaxseed,and oil sunflower

As important oil crops in Inner Mongolia, sunflower, and flaxseed had distinct lipid profiles in seeds. As an emerging cash crop, Hibiscus manihot L. has strong potential market competitiveness. In this study, the lipidome, fatty acid composition and quality characteristics of flaxseed, H. manihot L., and sunflower seed oils were analyzed and compared. A total of 270 distinct lipids were identified and analyzed with an emerging detection approach—lipidomics, which illustrated the tremendous difference among the samples. triacylglycerol, diacylglycerol and polar lipids were the most abundant lipids in all samples. H. manihot L. seeds contained higher saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and lower polyunsaturated fatty acids. H. manihot L. seed oil had the longest oxidative stability index time, high content of vitamin E and total phenolics, while flaxseed oil embodied the lowest oxidative stability. The peroxide value and acid value of the three oils were within the allowable range of Chinese national standards.