EFFECT OF CONTINUOUS FAR-RED PREIRRADIATION ON THE LAG PHASE OF CHLOROPHYLL A ACCUMULATION IN PHARBITIS NIL COTYLEDONS

In Pharbitis nil cotyledons, the lag phase of chlorophyll a (Chi a) accumulation which continues for about 2 h after the onset of continuous white light is eliminated by preirradiation with far-red light (FR) for 24 or 48 h. When the period of FR preirradiation is prolonged to 72 h or more, however, the lag phase is observed again (FR-induced lag phase) and the rate of Chi a accumulation during the rapid accumulation phase is lowered below the dark control level.
The application of exogenous 5-aminolevulinate (J-ALA) completely eliminates the FR-induced lag phase, but this treatment eliminates the normal lag phase in dark-grown cotyledons only partially (i.e. Chi a is accumulated but only slowly during the first few h). Application of a 5-ALA precursor, such as glycin + succinate. 2-ketoglutarate or glutamate, eliminates neither the FR-induced lag phase nor the normal lag phase.
A 24- or 48-h FR irradiation seems not only to enable the synthesis of 5-ALA but also to make the other regulatory factors favourable for Chi accumulation. When the period of FR irradiation is prolonged to 72 h or more, the ability to synthesize 5-ALA may be lost.     

Inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport by UV-A radiation targets the photosystem II complex

We have studied the inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport by UV-A (320-400 nm) radiation in isolated spinach thylakoids. Measurements of Photosystem II (PSII) and Photosystem I activity by Clark-type oxygen electrode demonstrated that electron flow is impaired primarily in PSII. The site and mechanism of UV-A induced damage within PSII was assessed by flash-induced oxygen and thermoluminescence (TL) measurements. The flash pattern of oxygen evolution showed an increased amount of the S0 state in the dark, which indicate a direct effect of UV-A in the water-oxidizing complex. TL measurements revealed the UV-A induced loss of PSII centers in which charge recombination between the S2 state of the water oxidizing complex and the semireduced Q(A)- and Q(B)- quinone electron acceptors occur. Flash-induced oscillation of the B TL band, originating from the S2Q(B)- recombination, showed a decreased amplitude after the second flash relative to that after the first one, which is consistent with a decrease in the amount of Q(B)- relative to Q(B) in dark adapted samples. The efficiency of UV-A light in inhibiting PSII electron transport exceeds that of visible light 45-fold on the basis of equal energy and 60-fold on the basis of equal photon number, respectively. In conclusion, our data show that UV-A radiation is highly damaging for PSII, whose electron transport is affected both at the water oxidizing complex, and the binding site of the Q(B) quinone electron acceptor in a similar way to that caused by UV-B radiation.     

THE 75°C THERMOLUMINESCENCE BAND OF GREEN TISSUES: CHEMILUMINESCENCE FROM MEMBRANE-CHLOROPHYLL INTERACTION

Abstract— Exposure of thylakoid membranes of green plants to high temperature promotes the appearance of free radicals resulting in a thermoluminesccnce (TL) band peaking around 75°C. The occurrence of this band with the same intensity in prcilluminated and in dark-adapted samples demonstrates that, contrary to several other TL bands, it is not a result of charge recombination. The high temperature TL band is oxygen dependent. Parallel to TL emission singlet oxygen is formed, as demonstrated by spin trapping EPR measurements and by the decrease of TL intensity in the presencc of sodium-azide, a singlet oxygen scavenger.
We suggest that the 75°C TL band is a result of a temperature-enhanced interaction between molecular oxygen and the photosynthetic membrane, possibly involving lipid peroxidation. The spectral maximum of the emission (around 720 nm) implics that light emission occurs upon energy transfer from an excited product to chlorophyll molecules destablized from pigment-protein complexes.     

Ultraviolet-A induced changes in photosystem II of thylakoids: effects of senescence and high growth temperature

Ultraviolet-A (UV-A) radiation induced changes in photosystem II (PS II) of senescing leaves of wheat seedlings were investigated. UV-A radiation did not show any significant effect on the level of photosynthetic pigments. However, the decline in F(v)/F(m) and oxygen evolution rate indicated the damaging effect of the radiation on primary photochemistry of PS II. Modification at the Q(B)-binding site was inferred from the observed downshift of peak temperature of thermoluminescence (TL) B-bands. The UV-A induced changes in PS II of chloroplasts from senescing leaves were found to be synergistically accelerated by high growth temperature.     

Thermally Induced Chemiluminescence of Barley Leaves

Abstract— An unconventional band in the thermoluminescence glow curve of barley leaves at about +50°C was examined. In contrast to bands usually observed around +50°C, this band (designated as CL) is not related to photosynthetic electron transport in photosystem II. The appearance of the CL band (1) requires previous freezing of the sample, (2) is not influenced by light excitation and (3) depends on the presence of oxygen. In pure oxygen the glow curves for both leaves and chloroplast suspension exhibit three maxima at about +40°C, +65°C and +90°C. Based on the emission spectra of the CL band and measurements with etiolated leaves, we suppose that the majority of emission corresponding to the CL band originates from chlorophyll. A lipoxygenase inhibitor, butylated hydroxytoluene, and sodium azide decrease the intensity of the CL band. We propose that the mechanism leading to emission of the CL band involves thermally stimulated production of an active oxygen species that results in lipid peroxidation.     

The Origin of115–130°C Thermoluminescence Bands in Chlorophyll-Containing Material

High-temperature thermoluminescence (TL) emitted in the temperature region from +50 to +150°C has been studied in a variety of chlorophyll-containing samples that were allowed to dry during the TL measurement. Analysis of the recorded traces by a multicomponent-fit-ting procedure revealed the existence of up to three bands of nonphotosynthetic origin with peak positions at62–75,114–128 and151–157°C and apparent activation energies of 27.0-28.8, 14.1-15.4 and 22.1-23.3 kcal/mol (the bands are denoted as HT₁ HT₂ and HT₃, respectively). Low-temperature treatment of leaves, incubation of algae in the presence of paraquat, exposure of algae or isolated thylakoids to a strong light, all conditions known to stimulate oxidative damage to membrane lipids, caused appearance of a small HT₁, band and significant rise in the intensity of the HT₂ band. The increase in the HT₂ component correlated positively with accumulation of conjugated dienes and malondialdehyde in thylakoids illuminated with a strong light. Different quenchers of active oxygen species and scavengers of free radicals added to preilluminated thylakoids or thylakoid lipid extracts before the TL measurements, as well as injection of argon into the TL measuring chamber, caused no changes in the intensity of the HT₂ emission. The HT₂ band in the thylakoids increased strongly upon addition of linoleate peroxidized by hydroxyradicals generated in the Fenton reaction but remained unchanged if the linoleate was oxidized with the use of lipoxygenase. We suggest that the HT₂ band arises due to thermal decomposition of lipid cyclic peroxides present in the samples. In turn, the decomposition reaction leads to formation of carbonyls in triplet state with following migration of excitation energy toward chlorophyll. Contrary to the HT₁, and HT₂ bands, the HT₃ band of TL cannot be associated with the thermolysis of lipid peroxidation products already present in the samples before starting the TL gradient.     

Afterglow thermoluminescence measured in isolated chloroplasts

The thermoluminescence afterglow (AG) measured in plant leaves originates from the S(2)/S(3)Q(B)(-) charge pair recombination in photosystem II (PSII) initiated by reverse electron flow from stromal reductants to PQ and then to the Q(B) site in PSII centers that are in the S(2)/S(3)Q(B) state. In this study, we show that this luminescence, absent in isolated thylakoid membranes, can be measured in intact chloroplasts that retain their stromal content including the electron acceptor pool (oxidized ferredoxin/NADP(+)) of photosystem I. The properties of the chloroplasts AG emission is similar to the AG in leaves in terms of temperature maximum, period-four modulation, far-red light stimulation, and antimycin A inhibition.     

THERMOLUMINESCENCE and OXYGEN EVOLUTION FROM A THERMOPHILIC BLUE-GREEN ALGA OBTAINED AFTER SINGLE-TURNOVER LIGHT FLASHES*

Abstract— Oxygen evolution and thermoluminescence (TL) studies on a thermophilic blue-green alga Synechococcus vulcanus Copeland revealed the following: (a) The deactivations of the S₃ and S₂ states of the Oxygen Evolving Complex, at room temperature, have half-times of ～200 and 75 s, respectively, instead of 30 and 20 s found in mesophilic plants, (b) The TL band(s) “B”, due to the recombination of the state S₂ or S₃ and Q_B, the reduced secondary quinone acceptor, is(are) at50–55°C instead of25–30°C; the intensity of this band oscillates with a period of 4 with maxima on the 2nd and the 6th flashes, (c) The TL band “D” in the presence of diuron, due to the recombination of S₂ and the reduced primary quinone acceptor Q_A,^? occurs at ～35°C instead of0–10°C. (d) Furthermore, the ratio of Q_B^? to Q_B in dark-adapted S. vulcanus cells is close to 1 as in intact spinach leaves, but not 0.43 as in isolated thylakoids from spinach.     

Colour development and luminescence phenomena in epoxy glasses

The process of colour development in aromatic-amine cured epoxy resin glasses following exposure to oxygen has been studied using electron spin resonance (ESR) and thermoluminescence (TL). Even short duration exposure to oxygen was found to produce species in glassy epoxy resins which gave rise to TL when heated from room temperature to a temperature just below the cure temperature. In some epoxy samples, oxygen exposure over longer periods was found to produce sample colouration. UV-visible spectrophotometry revealed chromophores which were believed to arise from the diaminodiphenylmethane structural unit found in epoxy systems containing the resin, N,N,N′,N′-tetraglycidyl-4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (TGDDM) or the curing agent, 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM). The chromophore produced in TGDDM-based resins appeared to be simlar to the "Wurster's salt'-type structure produced by photo-ionization of these systems. A distinctive ESR spectrum was also noted for samples exposed to oxygen. These results are indicative of both peroxide group formation on the methylene groups as well as the formation of amine centred radical cations, and are consistent with the oxidative sensitivity of these epoxy resins. The TL is believed to result from the thermally induced recombination of the 'Wurster's salt'-like cations with peroxy anions leading to the production of an electronically excited diaminobenzophenone structure © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of Suplementary Ultraviolet‐B Irradiance on Maize Yield and Qualities: A Field Experiment¶

Stratospheric ozone depletion has caused an increase in the amount of ultraviolet‐B (UV‐B) radiation reaching the earth's surface. Numerous investigations have demonstrated that the effect of UV‐B enhancements on plants includes reduction in grain yield, alteration in species competition, susceptibility to disease and changes in plant structure and pigmentation. Many experiments examining UV‐B radiation effects on plants have been conducted in growth chambers or greenhouses. It has been questioned whether the effect of UV‐B radiation on plants can be extrapolated to field responses from indoor studies because of the unnaturally high ratios of UV‐B/ ultraviolet‐A radiation (320–400 nm) and UV‐B/photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) in many indoor studies. Field studies on UV‐B radiation effect on plants have been recommended to use the UV and PAR irradiance provided by natural light. This study reports the growth and yield responses of a maize crop exposed to enhanced UV‐B radiation and the UV‐B effects on aize seed qualities under field conditions. Enhanced UV‐B radiation caused a significant reduction in the dry matter accumulation and the maize yield in turn was affected. With increased UV‐B radiation the flavonoid accumulation in maize leaves increased and the contents of chlorophyll a, b and (a+b) of maize leaves were reduced. The levels of protein, sugar and starch of maize seed decreased with enhanced UV‐B radiation, whereas the level of lysine increased with enhanced UV‐B radiation.     

Suitability of Thermoluminescence for the Detection of Irradiated Chicken and Fish

Chicken and fish have been investigated for the detection of radiation treatment using thermoluminescence (TL) technique. The samples were irradiated by ⁶⁰Co gamma-source at the absorbed doses of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 kGy. TL response of treated and untreated samples in the temperature range of 50–300 °C was measured using TL reader with a temperature profile of 10 °C/s. The results revealed that TL values increased with temperature and maximum signal were obtained at 195 °C, in each case. It was also observed that the TL intensities enhanced with the absorbed doses (1–5 kGy) and the increase was dependent on the absorbed dose. From this study it is concluded that the TL technique is a rapid, simple and promising method for identifying chicken and fish treated with gamma-irradiation.     

ORIENTATION OF SHORT WAVELENGTH AND LONG WAVELENGTH PROTOCHLOROPHYLL SPECIES IN GREENING CHLOROPLASTS

Abstract— The orientation of protochlorophyll and Chi species with respect to the plane of thylakoid membranes was studied by measuring the fluorescence polarization ratio in magnetically oriented chloroplasts isolated from greening maize leaves and cucumber cotyledons. With viewing direction parallel to the plane of the photosynthetic membranes, in the spectral region of 620–660 nm, fluorescence polarization ratios of 1.0 were observed, whereas at longer wavelengths the fluorescence polarization ratios were much higher, and similar to that of fully green chloroplasts. The same result was obtained with chloroplasts isolated from leaves fed by δ-amino levulinic acid. These data indicate that the emitting oscillators of the short and long wavelength protochlorophyll species are oriented at random with respect to the plane of thylakoid membranes. Isotropy of the protochlorophyll species is discussed in terms of isotropic structures containing Chi precursors.     

The effects of far-red light on plant growth and flavonoid accumulation in Brassica napus in the presence of ultraviolet B radiation

Flavonoid induction is regulated by complex signal transduction pathways involving cryptochrome, phytochrome and UVB photoreceptors. Previously, we identified the UVB-inducible flavonoids in Brassica napus cv. Topas leaves and showed that UVA affected accumulation of the quercetin (Q) and kaempferol (K) glycosides (Wilson et al. [2000] Photochem. Photobiol. 73, 678-684). In this study, we examined the effects of far-red light (FR, 700-780 nm) on UVB-mediated flavonoid accumulation in B. napus. Plants were grown under photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 400-700 nm, 150 micromol m(-2) s(-1)) plus a moderate level of FR (35 micromol m(-2) s(-1)) for 14 days, and then transferred to five different irradiation regimes (PAR +/- [UVA + UVB] + moderate, intermediate or low fluence FR) for 4 days. Kinetics of flavonoid accumulation were assessed via HPLC. Accumulation of flavonoids, in general, was suppressed by increasing the amount of FR in the spectrum. Furthermore, addition of UVB (290-320 nm) to the spectrum altered the flavonoid composition by causing significant changes in the quantities of individual flavonoids. The relative levels of acylated K glycosides were diminished whereas the relative levels of nonacylated Q glycosides increased dramatically. With UVB exposure there was a five-fold increase in the Q:K ratio. In contrast, increasing the level of FR in the presence of UVB decreased the Q:K ratio by half.     

Radioluminescence of H2O and D2O ice spectral characteristics

The spectra of the radiofluorescence RF, afterglow AG and the thermoluminescence TL of H₂O and D₂O ice are reported. The RF spectrum of D₂O exhibits two bands, whereas for H₂O only one of these is seen. The spectrum of TL is different from that of RF and AG. It is argued that if any of these spectra are due to de-excitation of the triplet state of water it is that of the TL. This spectrum is peaked at 335 ± 3 nm and has a width of 46 nm.     

Study of beta-lactoglobulin/acacia gum complex coacervation by diffusing-wave spectroscopy and confocal scanning laser microscopy

Complex coacervation has been investigated on mixtures of beta-lactoglobulin (beta-lg) and acacia gum (AG) at pH 4.2 where these two macromolecules interact electrostatically. Changes in beta-lg/AG complex coacervation induced by the presence of beta-lg aggregates were considered. The nature and structure of particles resulting from complex coacervation were determined by using confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). CSLM revealed fundamental differences in the structure of each of the studied dispersions (at 1 wt.% total concentration). Spherical vesicular coacervates and precipitates (based on beta-lg aggregates) were the hallmark of BLG/AG dispersions (beta-lg dispersion containing insoluble aggregates). Only coacervates were visible in AF-BLG/AG dispersions (beta-lg dispersion free of insoluble aggregates). The latter were characterised by the presence of large foam-like coacervates induced by partial coalescence of single coacervates, especially at the 2:1 protein to polysaccharide (Pr:Ps) ratio. Diffusing wave spectroscopy (DWS) was used to study the stability of dispersions as a function of time. Depending on the Pr:Ps ratio and the presence of beta-lg aggregates, the intensity correlation function (g(2)(t)) shifted to lower correlation times rapidly after mixing of both macromolecules. This revealed the formation of a large number of small particles, characterised by faster Brownian motion. At 1 and 5 wt.% total concentration, the 8:1 Pr:Ps ratio exhibited a rapid decrease of the backscattered intensity in time, both for BLG/AG and AF-BLG/AG mixtures, revealing rapid sedimentation/coalescence of particles. This precluded the achievement of a stable correlation function. For the 2:1 Pr:Ps ratio, mixtures exhibited both coalescence and sedimentation phenomena as confirmed by shifts in the g(2)(t) towards larger correlation times and the decrease of the initial value of g(2)(t) with time. Mixtures obtained for the 1:1 Pr:Ps ratio were characterised by small variations in the DWS signal, emphasising the stability of produced particles. The increase of the total biopolymer concentration reduced the effect of both Pr:Ps ratio and presence of protein aggregates. From CSLM and DWS observations, possible differences in the complex coacervation mechanism in both types of mixtures were highlighted. The use of protein aggregates to control complex coacervation was underlined.     

Changes of Chlorophyll(ide) Fluorescence Yield Induced by a Short Light Pulse as a Probe to Monitor the Early Steps of Etioplast Phototransformation in Dark-Grown Leaves

The fluorescence yield of chlorophyll(ide) (Chl[ide]) excited by weak modulated light was recorded at room temperature during a 2 h period after a short actinic light pulse that transformed all photoactive protochlorophyllide in dark-grown barley leaves. A typical pattern of fluorescence yield variations was found whatever the age of the leaf but with age-dependent changes in rates. Its successive phases were related to the Chl(ide) spectral shifts observed in low-temperature emission spectra. The fluorescence yield started at a high level and strongly declined during the formation of Chlide₆₉₅ from Chlide₆₆₈ within a few seconds. It increased to a transient maximum during the Shibata shift (15–25 min) that resulted in Chl(ide)₆₈₂. A final, slow decrease to a steady state occurred during the final red shift to Chl₆₈₅. Pretreatments with δ-aminolevulinic acid, chloramphenicol or 1, 10-phenanthroline resulted in correlated modifications of Chl(ide) fluorescence yield transients and shifts of the low-temperature Chl(ide) emission band. The complex response of the final decrease phase of the fluorescence yield to these compounds suggests that it results both from the assembly of photosynthetic Chl proteins and from the reorganization of the etioplast membrane system. From these results it is concluded that continuous recordings of Chl(ide) fluorescence yield after a short light pulse represent a useful tool to monitor the kinetics of pigment–protein organization and primary thylakoid assembly triggered by Pchlide photoreduction.     

单掺杂与共掺杂离子对Sr2Mg(BO3)2磷光体热释发光的影响

通过高温固相法合成了Sr2Mg(BO3)2磷光体, 并研究了Li＋, Bi3＋, Gd3＋, Ti4＋共掺杂对Sr2Mg(BO3)2∶Dy磷光体热释发光的影响. 研究发现: Li＋的共掺杂使Sr2Mg(BO3)2∶Dy磷光体的热释光主峰强度增加, 而 Bi3＋, Gd3＋或Ti4＋的掺入使样品的热释光强度降低. 在Li＋, Bi3＋, Gd3＋或Ti4＋共掺杂的Sr2Mg(BO3)2∶Dy磷光体高温热释光发射谱中, 我们观察到了480, 579, 662和755 nm的发射峰, 为特征Dy3＋离子的4F9/2→6H15/2, 4F9/2→6H13/2, 4F9/2→6H11/2和4F9/2→6H9/2跃迁, 与Sr2Mg(BO3)2∶Dy磷光体的发射一致. 利用峰形法, 我们评估了Sr2Mg(BO3)2∶ , ( )热释光磷光体234 ℃发光峰的动力学参数, 陷阱深度E＝1.1 eV, 频率因子s＝6.3×109 s－1, 遵循二级动力学.     

Spectral properties and binding study of DNA complexes with a rigid bisintercalator 1,4-bis((N-methylquinolinium-4-yl)vinyl)benzene

The DNA binding behavior of potentially bisintercalating ligand 1,4-bis((N-methyl quinolinium-4-yl)vinyl)benzene was studied by spectrophotometric titration, circular dichroism and matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization-time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. The formation of large DNA-ligand aggregates observed at low DNA concentration was ascribed to the interstrand cross-linking due to the bisintercalation and/or electrostatic interactions. On the other hand, a monointercalation was observed at higher DNA concentration and in the presence of higher content of NaCl. Intercalative DNA-ligand complex was featured by red shifted absorption band, modest hypochromicity and the presence of induced CD signal. MALDI-TOF mass spectra of short oligonucleotide-ligand systems revealed the formation of 1:1 complexes of the ligand with duplex and single-stranded oligonucleotides as well as a higher molecular weight species.     

Spectral Changes Induced by Alkaline pH and Specific Chemical Modification of Amino Acid Residues in the Light-Harvesting II Antenna Complex from Ectothiorhodospira sp.

Abstract— The absorption spectrum of the membrane-bound light-harvesting (LH)II antenna complex from Ectothiorhodospira sp. has two characteristic near-infrared bands at 797 (B800 band) and 857 (B850 band) nm. Alkaline pH induced a B850 band blue shift of 17–21 nm depending on experimental conditions. The blue shift was totally reversible when the original experimental conditions were re-established. No significant effect was observed, however, on the B800 band under the same experimental conditions. The intensity and shape of the pigment circular dichroism signals were maintained with the exception of a blue shift of the signal from the B850 band concomitant with the blue shift of that absorption band. Specific chemical modification of the LHII complex with salicylaldehyde allowed correlation of the alkaline pH effect with the neutralization of a lysine positive charge. We propose that the observed blue shift of the B850 band is due to distortion of the bacteriochlorophyll domain as a consequence of electrostatic and probably hydrogen-bonding changes but not due to modification of the pigment excitonic interactions within the pigment-protein complex.     

Nitrosyl complexes on Co–ZSM-5: an FTIR spectroscopic study

Adsorption of NO on Co–ZSM-5 results in formation of three kinds of Co³⁺–NO species (1970, 1957 and 1940 cm⁻¹) and Co²⁺(NO)₂ dinitrosyls (1894 and 1811 cm⁻¹). All these species disappear after evacuation at elevated temperatures. However, a very short evacuation of the sample with preadsorbed NO at 673 K, followed by quenching to room temperature, results in appearance of a band at 1857 cm⁻¹. This band is assigned to Co²⁺–NO linear species produced after partial destruction of the dinitrosyls. The reasons for the different pathways of the dinitrosyl decomposition are discussed.