Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) Seed Drying in Fixed Bed: Process Heterogeneity and Seed Quality

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is the most important oilseed in the world market. Seed quality has a direct influence on the success of the crop and contributes significantly to productivity levels. The quality of soybean seeds can be influenced by several factors during drying. This study evaluated the drying of soybean seeds in a fixed bed dryer, considering the heterogeneity of the process and the effect of process variables on seed quality. Seed and air temperatures, seed moisture, and seed quality were measured throughout the bed. Empirical equations were obtained relating seed quality indicators, at several bed axial positions, as a function of process variables.     

Kinetics of Denaturation and Effects of Surfactants and Polyethylene Glycol on Soybean Esterase (Glycine max L) Stability

The objective of this work was to evaluate the kinetics and thermodynamics parameters and the effects of anionic, cationic and nonionic surfactants and polyethylene glycol on the activity and stability of a crude esterase extracted from soybeans (Glycine max L.). The activation energy for thermal inactivation was calculated from the Arrhenius plot was found to be 59.4 kJ mol^?1 and the ΔH* 56.82 kJ mol^?1 at 40 °C, which was the optimum temperature for enzyme activity. The ΔS* and ΔG* of the enzyme were found to be 61.67 kJ mol^?1 and 15.50 J mol^?1 K^?1, respectively, at the optimum temperature. The activity was only enhanced by the cationic surfactants cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and tetradecylmethylammonium bromide at a concentration of 3.0 mM. The anionic surfactant showed a positive effect on enzyme activity at the concentrations of 1.5 and 3.0 mM. Aqueous PEG (polyethylene glycols) solutions activated the esterase, and maximum activation (170 %) occurred with the addition of 6 kDa PEG. PEG with molecular weights of 0.4 and 10 kDa enhanced enzyme stability at 40 °C.     

A Multi-Year,Multi-Cultivar Approach to Differential Expression Analysis of High- and Low-Protein Soybean (Glycine max)

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is among the most valuable crops based on its nutritious seed protein and oil. Protein quality, evaluated as the ratio of glycinin (11S) to β-conglycinin (7S), can play a role in food and feed quality. To help uncover the underlying differences between high and low protein soybean varieties, we performed differential expression analysis on high and low total protein soybean varieties and high and low 11S soybean varieties grown in four locations across Eastern and Western Canada over three years (2018–2020). Simultaneously, ten individual differential expression datasets for high vs. low total protein soybeans and ten individual differential expression datasets for high vs. low 11S soybeans were assessed, for a total of 20 datasets. The top 15 most upregulated and the 15 most downregulated genes were extracted from each differential expression dataset and cross-examination was conducted to create shortlists of the most consistently differentially expressed genes. Shortlisted genes were assessed for gene ontology to gain a global appreciation of the commonly differentially expressed genes. Genes with roles in the lipid metabolic pathway and carbohydrate metabolic pathway were differentially expressed in high total protein and high 11S soybeans in comparison to their low total protein and low 11S counterparts. Expression differences were consistent between East and West locations with the exception of one, Glyma.03G054100. These data are important for uncovering the genes and biological pathways responsible for the difference in seed protein between high and low total protein or 11S cultivars.     

Extraction and Concentration of Isoflavones from Soybean (Glycine max)

The extraction and concentration of isoflavones from defatted soy flour (DSF) is attempted by leaching, membrane process and liquid-liquid extraction. The optimized extraction conditions by response surface methodology (RSM) resulted in an isoflavone content of 3.2 mg/g of DSF. The extracted isoflavones are processed by ultrafiltration for preliminary purification resulting in 3.0 mg/g of DSF, and then concentrated by liquid-liquid extraction with diethyl ether (4.8 mg/g DSF). The final isoflavone content is 69 mg/g of dried extract with an overall recovery of 57.5%. The optimization of extraction conditions resulted in an about 2.5 fold enhancement of isoflavones and concentration step enriched the isoflavones by about 8.5 fold compared to initial extract.     

Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Ethanolic Extracts of Glycine max (L.) Merr and Rhynchosia nulubilis Seeds

The aim of this study was to assess the in vivo potential of ethanolic extracts of Glycine max (L.) Merr. (SoRiTae) and Rhynchosia nulubilis (Yak-Kong) seeds as natural anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory agents. To assess the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential, the ethanolic extracts of SoRiTae and Yak-Kong seeds were tested in arachidonic acid-induced ear edema, carrageenan induced paw edema, formalin-induced licking time, acetic acid induced writhing and hot plate-induced thermal stimulation in mice. The administration of ethanolic extracts of SoRiTae and Yak-Kong seeds evoked a significant effect of anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities as compared to standards aminopyrine and indomethacin. The ear edema, paw edema, paw licking time, pain and writhes in mice were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) as compared to the control. The results obtained in this study indicate that both SoRiTae and Yak-Kong soybeans possesses potential anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities.     

蛋清中核黄素结合蛋白的提纯和鉴定

应用层析方法从蛋清中提纯得到核黄素结合蛋白（RBP）。用紫外分光光度法、SDS—聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法（SDS—PAGE）及荧光分光光度法测定其核黄素结合力为275μg／mg，分子量为3420～3450Da。可用于制备抗—RBP抗体。     

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of TALE Superfamily Genes in Soybean (Glycine max L.)

The three-amino-acid-loop-extension (TALE) superfamily genes broadly existed in plants, which played important roles in plant growth, development and abiotic stress responses. In this study, we identified 68 Glycine max TALE (GmTALE) superfamily members. Phylogenetic analysis divided the GmTALE superfamily into the BEL1-like (BLH/BELL homeodomain) and the KNOX (KNOTTED-like homeodomain) subfamilies. Moreover, the KNOX subfamily could be further categorized into three clades (KNOX Class I, KNOX Class II and KNOX Class III). The GmTALE genes showed similarities in the gene structures in the same subfamily or clade, whose coding proteins exhibited analogous motif and conserved domain compositions. Besides, synteny analyses and evolutionary constraint evaluations of the TALE members among soybean and different species provided more clues for GmTALE superfamily evolution. The cis-element analyses in gene promoter regions and relevant gene expression profiling revealed different regulating roles of GmTALE genes during soybean plant development, saline and dehydration stresses. Genome-wide characterization, evolution, and expression profile analyses of GmTALE genes can pave the way for future gene functional research and facilitate their roles for applications in genetic improvement on soybean in saline and dehydration stresses.     

Genome-Wide Identification and Characterization of the Soybean DEAD-Box Gene Family and Expression Response to Rhizobia

DEAD-box proteins are a large family of RNA helicases that play important roles in almost all cellular RNA processes in model plants. However, little is known about this family of proteins in crops such as soybean. Here, we identified 80 DEAD-box family genes in the Glycine max (soybean) genome. These DEAD-box genes were distributed on 19 chromosomes, and some genes were clustered together. The majority of DEAD-box family proteins were highly conserved in Arabidopsis and soybean, but Glyma.08G231300 and Glyma.14G115100 were specific to soybean. The promoters of these DEAD-box genes share cis-acting elements involved in plant responses to MeJA, salicylic acid (SA), low temperature and biotic as well as abiotic stresses; interestingly, half of the genes contain nodulation-related cis elements in their promoters. Microarray data analysis revealed that the DEAD-box genes were differentially expressed in the root and nodule. Notably, 31 genes were induced by rhizobia and/or were highly expressed in the nodule. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis validated the expression patterns of some DEAD-box genes, and among them, Glyma.08G231300 and Glyma.14G115100 were induced by rhizobia in root hair. Thus, we provide a comprehensive view of the DEAD-box family genes in soybean and highlight the crucial role of these genes in symbiotic nodulation.     

Characterization of a Partially Purified Extract from Flax (Linumusitatissimum L.) Seed

A water‐soluble partially purified extract from defatted flax seed was obtained and characterized; it contained proteins (828.8 g/Kg), as well as water‐soluble carbohydrates (101.4 g/Kg) and phenolic compounds (22.2 g/Kg), essentially secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG, 18.40 g/Kg) and ferulic acid (1.45 g/Kg) and p–coumaric acid (2.07 mg/kg) mainly in their glycoside forms. Proteins of 23–24 kDa were the main protein fractions found in the extract. In an emulsion model system, the flax extract was able to inhibit the production of oxidation products (conjugated diene, peroxides and aldehydes) as well as the degradation of flax oil carotenoids. The antioxidant effects of the flax extract were concentration dependent. Oxidation kinetics of the emulsion supplemented with 0.10 % flax extract were similar to the oxidation kinetics of the control blank, whereas, oxidation parameters of the emulsion supplemented with 0.48 % (and higher) flax extract were equal to or better than the oxidation parameters obtained with the test control emulsion containing 0.01 % BHT. These results suggested that flax seed phenolic compounds (SDG) and low molecular weight proteins, both found in the studied extract, might have very strong antioxidant properties. This is paper number 1089 of the Canadian Grain Commission.     

Structure,Function, and Applications of Soybean Calcium Transporters

Glycine max is a calcium-loving crop. The external application of calcium fertilizer is beneficial to the increase of soybean yield. Indeed, calcium is a vital nutrient in plant growth and development. As a core metal ion in signaling transduction, calcium content is maintained in dynamic balance under normal circumstances. Now, eight transporters were found to control the uptake and efflux of calcium. Though these calcium transporters have been identified through genome-wide analysis, only a few of them were functionally verified. Therefore, in this study, we summarized the current knowledge of soybean calcium transporters in structural features, expression characteristics, roles in stress response, and prospects. The above results will be helpful in understanding the function of cellular calcium transport and provide a theoretical basis for elevating soybean yield.     

Co-localization of Carbonic Anhydrase and Phosphoenol-pyruvate Carboxylase and Localization of Pyruvate Kinase in Roots and Hypocotyls of Etiolated Glycine max Seedlings

We investigated the presence of carbonic anhydrase in root and hypocotyl of etiolated soybean using enzymatic, histochemical, immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization approaches. In parallel, we used in situ hybridization and immunolocalization to determine the expression pattern and localization of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase. Their co-localization in the root tip as well as in the central cylinder, suggests that a large fraction of the CO₂ may be re-introduced into C4 compounds. GmPK3 expression, coding for a cytoplasmic isoform of pyruvate kinase, was detected in all different root cell types, suggesting that both phosphoenolpyruvate-utilizing enzymes are involved in phosphoenolpyruvate metabolism in etiolated soybean roots; a case indicative of the necessary flexibility plant metabolism has to adopt in order to compensate various physiological conditions.     

Genome-Wide Association Studies of Seven Root Traits in Soybean (Glycine max L.) Landraces

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], an important oilseed crop, is a low-cost source of protein and oil. In Southeast Asia and Africa, soybeans are widely cultivated for use as traditional food and feed and industrial purposes. Given the ongoing changes in global climate, developing crops that are resistant to climatic extremes and produce viable yields under predicted climatic conditions will be essential in the coming decades. To develop such crops, it will be necessary to gain a thorough understanding of the genetic basis of agronomic and plant root traits. As plant roots generally lie beneath the soil surface, detailed observations and phenotyping throughout plant development present several challenges, and thus the associated traits have tended to be ignored in genomics studies. In this study, we phenotyped 357 soybean landraces at the early vegetative (V2) growth stages and used a 180 K single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) soybean array in a genome-wide association study (GWAS) conducted to determine the phenotypic relationships among root traits, elucidate the genetic bases, and identify significant SNPs associated with root trait-controlling genomic regions/loci. A total of 112 significant SNP loci/regions were detected for seven root traits, and we identified 55 putative candidate genes considered to be the most promising. Our findings in this study indicate that a combined approach based on SNP array and GWAS analyses can be applied to unravel the genetic basis of complex root traits in soybean, and may provide an alternative high-resolution marker strategy to traditional bi-parental mapping. In addition, the identified SNPs, candidate genes, and diverse variations in the root traits of soybean landraces will serve as a valuable basis for further application in genetic studies and the breeding of climate-resilient soybeans characterized by improved root traits.     

Generation and Characterization of a Soybean Line with a Vernonia galamensis Diacylglycerol Acyltransferase-1 Gene and a myo-Inositol 1-Phosphate Synthase Knockout Mutation

Soybean (Glycine max) meal is an important protein source. Soybean meal with lower phytate and oligosaccharides improves meal quality. A single recessive mutation in soybean myo-inositol 1-phosphate synthase (Gm-lpa-TW75-1) confers a seed phenotype with low phytate and increased inorganic phosphate. The mutant was crossed with high oil lines expressing a diacylglycerol acyltransferase1 (DGAT) gene from Vernonia galamensis (VgD). Gm-lpa-TW75-1 X VgD, designated GV, has 21%, and 22% oil and 41% and 43% protein from field and greenhouse seed production, respectively. No significant differences were found in mineral concentrations except for Fe which was 229 μg/g dry mass for GV followed by 174.3 for VgD and 162 for Gm-lpa-TW75-1. Phosphate (Pi) is higher in Gm-lpa-TW75-1 as expected at 5 mg/g, followed by GV at 1.6 mg/g whereas Jack, VgD, and Taiwan75 have about 0.3 mg/g. The Gm-lpa-TW75-1 line has the lowest phytate concentration at 1.4 mg/g followed by GV with 1.8 mg/g compared to Taiwan75, VgD, and Jack with 2.5 mg/g. This work describes a high oil and protein soybean line, GV, with increased Pi and lower phytate which will increase the nutritional value for human and animal feed.