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Nutrients Jun 2024Iron deficiency remains a public health challenge globally. Prebiotics have the potential to improve iron bioavailability by modulating intestinal bacterial population,...
Iron deficiency remains a public health challenge globally. Prebiotics have the potential to improve iron bioavailability by modulating intestinal bacterial population, increasing SCFA production, and stimulating expression of brush border membrane (BBM) iron transport proteins among iron-deficient populations. This study intended to investigate the potential effects of soluble extracts from the cotyledon and seed coat of three pea () varieties (CDC Striker, CDC Dakota, and CDC Meadow) on the expression of BBM iron-related proteins (DCYTB and DMT1) and populations of beneficial intestinal bacteria in vivo using the model by oral gavage (one day old chicks) with 1 mL of 50 mg/mL pea soluble extract solutions. The seed coat treatment groups increased the relative abundance of compared to the cotyledon treatment groups, with CDC Dakota seed coat (dark brown pigmented) recording the highest relative abundance of . In contrast, CDC Striker Cotyledon (dark-green-pigmented) significantly increased the relative abundance of ( < 0.05). Subsequently, the two dark-pigmented treatment groups (CDC Striker Cotyledon and CDC Dakota seed coats) recorded the highest expression of DCYTB. Our study suggests that soluble extracts from the pea seed coat and dark-pigmented pea cotyledon may improve iron bioavailability by affecting intestinal bacterial populations.
Topics: Animals; Pisum sativum; Chickens; Prebiotics; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Iron; Plant Extracts; Intestines; Seeds; Bifidobacterium; Cotyledon; Lactobacillus; Cation Transport Proteins
PubMed: 38931211
DOI: 10.3390/nu16121856 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Leaf nutrient resorption is a critical process in plant nutrient conservation during leaf senescence. However, the ecological mechanisms underlying the large variability...
Leaf nutrient resorption is a critical process in plant nutrient conservation during leaf senescence. However, the ecological mechanisms underlying the large variability in nitrogen (NRE) and phosphorous (PRE) resorption efficiencies among trees remain poorly understood. We conducted a comprehensive study on NRE and PRE variability using 61 tree individuals of 10 temperate broad-leaved tree species. Three potentially interrelated intrinsic ecological mechanisms (i.e., leaf senescence phenology, leaf pigments, and energy residual) were verified. We found that a delayed leaf senescence date, increased degradation of chlorophylls and carotenoids, biosynthesis of anthocyanins, and reduced nonstructural carbohydrates were all positively correlated with NRE and PRE at the individual tree level. The intrinsic factors affecting resorption efficiency were ranked in decreasing order of importance: leaf pigments > energy residual > senescence phenology. These factors explained more variability in NRE than in PRE. Our findings highlight the significance of these three ecological mechanisms in leaf nutrient resorption and have important implications for understanding how nutrient resorption responds to climate change.
PubMed: 38931090
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121659 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The escalating global temperatures associated with climate change are detrimental to plant growth and development, leading to significant reductions in crop yields...
The escalating global temperatures associated with climate change are detrimental to plant growth and development, leading to significant reductions in crop yields worldwide. Our research demonstrates that salicylic acid (SA), a phytohormone known for its growth-promoting properties, is crucial in enhancing heat tolerance in cotton (). This enhancement is achieved through modifications in various biochemical, physiological, and growth parameters. Under heat stress, cotton plants typically show significant growth disturbances, including leaf wilting, stunted growth, and reduced biomass. However, priming cotton plants with 1 mM SA significantly mitigated these adverse effects, evidenced by increases in shoot dry mass, leaf-water content, and chlorophyll concentrations in the heat-stressed plants. Heat stress also prompted an increase in hydrogen peroxide levels-a key reactive oxygen species-resulting in heightened electrolyte leakage and elevated malondialdehyde concentrations, which indicate severe impacts on cellular membrane integrity and oxidative stress. Remarkably, SA treatment significantly reduced these oxidative stresses by enhancing the activities of critical antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, glutathione -transferase, and ascorbate peroxidase. Additionally, the elevated levels of total soluble sugars in SA-treated plants enhanced osmotic regulation under heat stress. Overall, our findings reveal that SA-triggered protective mechanisms not only preserve photosynthetic pigments but also ameliorate oxidative stress and boost plant resilience in the face of elevated temperatures. In conclusion, the application of 1 mM SA is highly effective in enhancing heat tolerance in cotton and is recommended for field trials before being commercially used to improve crop resilience under increasing global temperatures.
PubMed: 38931071
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121639 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Aluminum (Al) toxicity in acidic soils can significantly reduce peanut yield. The physiological response of peanut leaves to Al poisoning stress still has not been fully...
Aluminum (Al) toxicity in acidic soils can significantly reduce peanut yield. The physiological response of peanut leaves to Al poisoning stress still has not been fully explored. This research examined the influences of Al toxicity on peanut leaves by observing the leaf phenotype, scanning the leaf area and perimeter, and by measuring photosynthetic pigment content, physiological response indices, leaf hormone levels, and mineral element accumulation. Fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) was utilized to determine the relative transcript level of specific genes. The results indicated that Al toxicity hindered peanut leaf development, reducing their biomass, surface area, and perimeter, although the decrease in photosynthetic pigment content was minimal. Al toxicity notably affected the activity of antioxidative enzymes, proline content, and MDA (malondialdehyde) levels in the leaves. Additionally, Al poisoning resulted in the increased accumulation of iron (Fe), potassium (K), and Al in peanut leaves but reduced the levels of calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and magnesium (Mg). There were significant changes in the content of hormones and the expression level of genes connected with hormones in peanut leaves. High Al concentrations may activate cellular defense mechanisms, enhancing antioxidative activity to mitigate excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and affecting hormone-related gene expression, which may impede leaf biomass and development. This research aimed to elucidate the physiological response mechanisms of peanut leaves to Al poisoning stress, providing insights for breeding new varieties resistant to Al poisoning.
PubMed: 38931038
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121606 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024This study focuses on optimizing chlorophyll extraction techniques, in which leaf discs are cut from places on the leaf blade to enhance chlorophyll concentration in...
This study focuses on optimizing chlorophyll extraction techniques, in which leaf discs are cut from places on the leaf blade to enhance chlorophyll concentration in sesame ( L.) leaves. Thirty sesame genotypes, categorized into light green (LG), middle green (MG), and deep green (DG) pigment groups based on leaf coloration, were selected from a larger pool of field-grown accessions. The investigation involved determining optimal Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) value index measurements, quantifying pigment concentrations, exploring extraction solvents, and selecting suitable leaf disk positions. Significant variations in chlorophyll content were observed across genotypes, greenness categories, and leaf disk positions. The categorization of genotypes into DG, MG, and LG groups revealed a correlation between leaf appearance and chlorophyll content. The study highlighted a consistent relationship between carotenoids and chlorophyll, indicating their role in adaptation to warm environments. An examination of leaf disk positions revealed a significant chlorophyll gradient along the leaf blade, emphasizing the need for standardized protocols. Chlorophyll extraction experiments identified DMSO and 96% ethanol, particularly in those incubated for 10 min at 85 °C, as effective choices. This recommendation considers factors like cost-effectiveness, time efficiency, safety, and environmental regulations, ensuring consistent and simplified extraction processes. For higher chlorophyll extraction, focusing on leaf tips and the 75% localization along the sesame leaf blade is suggested, as this consistently yields increased chlorophyll content. Furthermore, our examination revealed significant anatomical variations in the internal structure of the mesophyll tissue leaves between deep green and light green sesame plants, primarily linked to chloroplast density and pigment-producing structures. Our findings, therefore, provide insightful knowledge of chlorophyll gradients and encourage the use of standardized protocols that enable researchers to refine their experimental designs for precise and comparable chlorophyll measurements. The recommended solvent choices ensure reliable outcomes in plant physiology, ecology, and environmental studies.
PubMed: 38931021
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121589 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024is an important component of China's economic development and forest ecosystems. The growth of seedlings experienced a slow growth phase, which led to a long seedling...
is an important component of China's economic development and forest ecosystems. The growth of seedlings experienced a slow growth phase, which led to a long seedling cultivation period. However, asexual reproduction can ensure the stable inheritance of the superior traits of the mother tree and also shorten the breeding cycle. The quantity and quality of branching significantly impact the cutting reproduction of , and a shaded environment affects lateral branching growth, development, and photosynthesis. Nonetheless, the physiological characteristics and the level of the transcriptome that underlie the growth of lateral branches of under shade conditions are still unclear. In our experiment, we subjected annual seedlings to varying shade intensities (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%) and studied the effects of shading on growth, physiological and biochemical changes, and gene expression in branching. Results from this study show that shading reduces biomass production by inhibiting the branching ability of seedlings. Due to the regulatory and protective roles of osmotically active substances against environmental stress, the contents of soluble sugars, soluble proteins, photosynthetic pigments, and enzyme activities exhibit varying responses to different shading treatments. Under shading treatment, the contents of phytohormones were altered. Additionally, genes associated with phytohormone signaling and photosynthetic pathways exhibited differential expression. This study established a theoretical foundation for shading regulation of lateral branch growth and provides scientific evidence for the management of cutting orchards.
PubMed: 38931020
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121588 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024L. is a potential source of raw material for biodiesel fuel due to the high oil content in its grains. In Brazil, this species is cultivated in the low rainfall...
L. is a potential source of raw material for biodiesel fuel due to the high oil content in its grains. In Brazil, this species is cultivated in the low rainfall off-season, which limits the productivity of the crop. The present study investigated the effects of water restriction on the physiological and biochemical responses, production components, and oil quality of at different development stages. The treatments consisted of 100% water replacement (control), 66%, and 33% of field capacity during the phenological stages of vegetative growth, flowering, and grain filling. We evaluated characteristics of water relations, gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence, chloroplast pigment, proline, and sugar content. The production components and chemical properties of the oil were also determined at the end of the harvest cycle. Drought tolerance of was found to be mediated primarily during the vegetative growth stage by changes in photosynthetic metabolism, stability of photochemical efficiency, increased proline concentrations, and maintenance of tissue hydration. Grain filling was most sensitive to water limitation and showed a reduction in yield and oil content. However, the chemical composition of the oil was not altered by the water deficit. Our data suggest that is a drought-tolerant species.
PubMed: 38931015
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121583 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Copper (II), a vital fungicide in organic viticulture, also acts as a wine oxidation catalyst. However, limited data are currently available on the impact that maximum...
Copper (II), a vital fungicide in organic viticulture, also acts as a wine oxidation catalyst. However, limited data are currently available on the impact that maximum allowed copper (II) ion doses in wine grapes at harvest can have on aged wine quality. This was the focus of the present study. We investigated the copper (II) effects by producing both white and red wines from musts containing three initial metal concentrations according to the limits set for organic farming. In detail, the influence of copper (II) on fermentation evolution, chromatic characteristics, and phenolic compounds was evaluated. Interestingly, the white wine obtained with the highest permitted copper (II) dose initially exceeded the concentration of 1.0 mg/L at fermentation completion. However, after one year of storage, the copper (II) content fell below 0.2 ± 0.01 mg/L. Conversely, red wines showed copper (II) levels below 1.0 mg/L at the end of fermentation, but the initial copper (II) level in musts significantly affected total native anthocyanins, color intensity, hue, and acetaldehyde concentration. After 12-month aging, significant differences were observed in polymeric pigments, thus suggesting a potential long-term effect of copper (II) on red wine color stability.
Topics: Wine; Copper; Acetaldehyde; Phenols; Fermentation; Vitis; Color; Anthocyanins
PubMed: 38930972
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122907 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Anthocyanins, as the most critical water-soluble pigments in nature, are widely present in roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and fruit peels. Many studies have... (Review)
Review
Anthocyanins, as the most critical water-soluble pigments in nature, are widely present in roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and fruit peels. Many studies have indicated that anthocyanins exhibit various biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, vision protection, and anti-aging. Hence, anthocyanins are widely used in food, medicine, and cosmetics. The green and efficient extraction and purification of anthocyanins are an important prerequisite for their further development and utilization. However, the poor stability and low bioavailability of anthocyanins limit their application. Protein, one of the three essential nutrients for the human body, has good biocompatibility and biodegradability. Proteins are commonly used in food processing, but their functional properties need to be improved. Notably, anthocyanins can interact with proteins through covalent and non-covalent means during food processing, which can effectively improve the stability of anthocyanins and enhance their bioavailability. Moreover, the interactions between proteins and anthocyanins can also improve the functional characteristics and enhance the nutritional quality of proteins. Hence, this article systematically reviews the extraction and purification methods for anthocyanins. Moreover, this review also systematically summarizes the effect of the interactions between anthocyanins and proteins on the bioavailability of anthocyanins and their impact on protein properties. Furthermore, we also introduce the application of the interaction between anthocyanins and proteins. The findings can provide a theoretical reference for the application of anthocyanins and proteins in food deep processing.
Topics: Anthocyanins; Humans; Proteins; Antioxidants; Biological Availability; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 38930881
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122815 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Psittacofulvins are polyenal dyes responsible for coloring parrot feathers and protecting them against photo-oxidation, harmful radicals, and bacterial degradation. To...
Psittacofulvins are polyenal dyes responsible for coloring parrot feathers and protecting them against photo-oxidation, harmful radicals, and bacterial degradation. To explain the unusual properties of these compounds, the thermodynamic and global chemical activity descriptors characterizing four natural and three synthetic psittacofulvins, as well as their hydroxyl, carboxyl and dialdehyde derivatives, were determined. To this aim, the DFT method at the B3LYP/QZVP theory level and the C-PCM solvation model were used. The calculations enabled the selection of the projected compounds for the greatest bioactivity and potential applicability as multifunctional ingredients in medicines, cosmetics, supplements, and food, in which they may play a triple role as preservative, radical scavenger, and coloring agent. The results obtained provide arguments for the identification of a fifth psittacofulvin within the parrot feather pigment, characterized by ten conjugated double bonds (docosadecaenal).
Topics: Animals; Coloring Agents; Feathers; Thermodynamics; Parrots; Molecular Structure; Models, Molecular
PubMed: 38930826
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29122760