The influence of sunflower and mustard leaf extracts on the germination of mustard seeds

The extracts from sunflower and mustard leaves were separated using SPE-Columns. The mustard seeds were germinated on water (24 h) and subsequently on crude extracts or separate fractions. The heat production rate was measured by isothermal calorimetry at 21°C and changes in seed cotyledons by FT-Raman spectroscopy. Crude extracts strongly inhibited seed germination. The water and ‘methanol’ fractions of mustard and sunflower extracts have a similar influence on the pattern of heat efflux. FT-Raman spectroscopy showed that extracts caused changes in cotyledons mainly in the content of fatty acids, carotenoids and flavonoids. Isothermal calorimetry and Raman spectroscopy are useful for the study of allelopathic interactions.     

Capture of sunflower seedlings lipase using polyclonal antibodies

True lipolytic activity is observed in different subcellular fractions of germinating sunflower seedlings (Helianthus annuus L.) in delipidated oleosomes and microsomes. Triacylglycerol lipase (EC. 3.1.1.3) catalyses the first catabolic step of lipolysis. To our knowledge, this plant lipase has not yet been identified. Our aim was to develop a method to collect the lipase for further studies. An immunological method was used to capture sunflower seedling lipase from oleosomes and microsomes. This method uses an immunoaffinity column prepared with polyclonal antibodies (anti-P-61) directed against oleosomal activity. Our results verify that we have successfully adapted a purification procedure of plant lipase using anti-P-61. Since the eluted lipolytic activity is distributed among diverse proteic peaks, we changed the elution procedure: the introduction of CHAPS, a zwitterionic detergent, allowed us to recover all the lipolytic activity in a single proteic peak. This may help us to characterise the studied lipase.     

Thermal neutron activation analysis of different varieties of mustard and sunflower seeds

Neutron activation analysis (NAA) technique has been used for the estimation of Mn, Na, and K in different varieties of oil seeds of mustard and sunflower in India. The samples were irradiated in a²⁵²Cf source with neutron flux of 10⁹ n s^–1 and the analysis was done using a multichannel analyzer (MCA) coupled to high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. Different varieties of seeds are found to have different concentrations of tracer elements when compared among themselves.     

Strong endothermic effects caused by allelopathic interactions during growth of mustard,rape, wheat and clover seedlings

In order to better understand the processes of allelopathic interactions and to elucidate the impact of various herbal extracts on seedling growth, investigations were initiated using isothermal calorimetry as a monitor. Seeds of wheat, mustard, rape and clover were germinated on aqueous herbal extracts from arnica, hypericum, milfoil, ribwort, sage and sunflower for 24 h (until the root was visible). Then, five seedlings were put into a calorimeter ampoule with herbal extracts. The specific thermal power (=heat production rate) of the seedlings during their growth was measured by isothermal calorimetry at 20 °C. Heat rate data were collected for 48 h. As a control seedlings were grown on water. The patterns of the thermal power–time curve during seedling growth on the herbal extracts and on water were completely different. In comparison with the water control, seedling growth on the herbal extracts was accompanied by a strong exothermic peak (first phase), whereas in the second phase distinct endothermic peaks were observed. The time after which the maxima of exo- and endothermic peaks occurred strongly depended on the seedling species and the origin of herbal extract. Similarly, the total thermal effect connected with seedling growth was correlated with the seedling species and herbal extract type.     

Comparison of the oxidative stability of soybean and sunflower oils enriched with herbal plant extracts

The present study was conducted to determine and compare the oxidative stability of soybean and sunflower oils using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These edible oils were enriched with marjoram (Origanum majorana L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), and oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) extracts at three different concentrations and synthetic antioxidant (BHA). The fatty acid composition of studied oils was determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry to evaluate the content of unsaturated fatty acids that are sensitive to oxidation process. Oil samples were heated in the DSC at different heating rates (4.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5, and 15.0 °C min^?1) and oxidation kinetic parameters (activation energy, pre-exponential factor, and oxidation rate constant) were calculated. The results showed that the oxidative stability of sunflower oil samples enriched with oregano extracts and soybean oil supplemented with thyme extracts was improved compared to samples without the addition of herbal plant extracts and the synthetic antioxidant.     

13C/12C isotope labeling to study carbon partitioning and dark respiration in cereals subjected to water stress

Despite the relevance of carbon (C) loss through respiration processes (with its consequent effect on the lower C availability for grain filling), little attention has been given to this topic. Literature data concerning the role of respiration in cereals are scarce and these have been produced using indirect methods based on gas‐exchange estimations. We have developed a new method based on the capture of respired CO₂ samples and their analysis by gas chromatography‐combustion‐isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC‐C‐IRMS). In order to analyse the main processes involved in the C balance during grain filling (photosynthesis, respiration, allocation and partitioning) the ambient isotopic ¹³C/¹²C composition (δ¹³C) of the growth chamber was modified during this period (δ¹³C ca. ?12.8 ± 0.3‰ to ca. ?20.0 ± 0.2‰). The physiological performance, together with the C allocation on total organic matter (TOM) and respiration of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., var. Califa sur) and two hybrids, tritordeum (X Tritordeum Asch. & Graebn line HT 621) and triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack var. Imperioso), were compared during post‐anthesis water stress. In spite of the larger ear DM/total ratio, especially under drought conditions, the grain filling of triticale and wheat was mainly carried out with pre‐anthesis C, while the majority of C assimilated during post‐anthesis was invested in respiration processes. In the case of wheat and tritordeum, the C balance data suggested a reallocation during grain filling of photoassimilates stored prior to anthesis from shoot to ear. Furthermore, the lower percentage of labeled C on respired CO₂ of droughted tritordeum plants, together with the lower plant biomass, explained the fact that those plants had more C available for grain filling. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of Zn/B nanofertilizer on biophysical characteristics and growth of coffee seedlings in a greenhouse

Research on Chemical Intermediates - The effects of Zn/B nanofertilizer on the biophysical characteristics and growth of coffee seedlings in a greenhouse were investigated. Zn/B nanofertilizer was...     

Impact of polymeric films and hydrogels: Physical characteristics on bacterial growth

Hydrogels find diverse applications in manipulating bacteria, and serving purposes like elevation, maintenance, and elimination. Several factors of hydrogel have been studied in the benefits of antibacterial activity. Factors such as hydrogel stiffness and roughness gain significance in surface coating, influencing bacterial behavior. However, the intricate interplay of hydrogel stiffness, roughness, polymer types, and bacterial species necessitates further exploration. The choice of polymer is dictated by the specific objectives, particularly in antibacterial scenarios where polymers with positive charge, hydrophilicity, and acidity prove effective. These properties induce robust electrostatic and hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions, along with pH-induced cell membrane damage, collectively contributing to hindered bacterial adhesion and growth. Additionally, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) emerge as pivotal influencers in bacterial adhesion and proliferation. EPS production alters bacterial surfaces, fostering connections between bacteria and facilitating biofilm formation. The hydrophobic nature of EPS further complicates bacterial interactions with surface materials, emphasizing the nuanced interplay of hydrophilic and hydrophobic forces in bacterial adhesion. Herein, this work article has reviewed the related study of each physical property related to antibacterial property on the surface of the hydrogel. Moreover, this work also illustrates applications of the antibacterial properties of hydrogel for medical and surface treatment, including wound healing, food packaging, and surface coating. Additionally, the bacteria growing on hydrogel for engineered living materials, have been updated in various applications.     

Impact of mixed low-molecular-weight organic acids on uranium accumulation and distribution in a variant of mustard (Brassica juncea var. tumida)

The impact of a mixture of low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs) composed of CA/MA/OA/LA with a molar ratio of 2.5:2.31:1.15:0.044 on uranium (U) accumulation and distribution in mustard (Brassica juncea var. tumida) was studied in this paper in order to understand the mechanism of rhizosphere-exudation assisted phytoremediation by hydroponic and pot culture experiments. The impact of the mixture of LWMOAs (Mix) on U accumulation showed that in hydroponic conditions Mix could enhance U translocation from root-to-shoot in mustard, but inhibit U uptake in root. In pot experiments, Mix enhanced both root and shoot U accumulation in mustard. The time-dependent kinetics of U uptake in mustard on Mix treatment showed that U content in plant shoots and roots increased with time increasing, and the steady state conditions were obtained at the 8th and 5th day with the U content of 1,528 and 2,300 mg/kg, respectively. Transmission electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry analysis for mustard roots showed that U was mainly observed on cell membrane of mustard roots on Mix treatment. This study would provide new insights for the mixture of LWMOAs-assisted phytoremediation of U-contaminated soil.     

Structural investigations of the phospholipids of the sunflower

Summary Investigations of the phospholipids of sunflower seeds have been performed which have confirmed the known structures of the phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamines. It has been established that the inositophosphatides have the structure of monophosphoinositides. The fatty acid compositions of the individual groups of phospholipids have been studied: they consist mainly of the same selection of acids as the phospholipid complex with the glycerides of the sunflower. The phospholipids form a sequence with respect to increasing saturation: phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, bis-phosphatidic acids, monophosphoinositides.A solvent system for the identification of the water-soluble products of the acid hydrolysis of phospholipids by chromatography in a thin layer of silica gel has been proposed.Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences of the Uzbek SSR. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 3–7, January, 1971.     

Computational study on the interactions of mustard gas with cucurbituril macrocycles

The study on the absorption of toxic gases such as mustard gas by organic host is essential to the development of inexpensive detection and decontamination equipments. Using quantum chemical methods, we propose cucurbituril as an effective host to capture mustard gas. It was found that stable complexes are formed with the inclusion of the toxic gas molecules inside the cucurbituril cavity, compared with the lateral and exterior interactions. Oxygen mustard has a comparable binding energy with sulfur mustard and hence can be used during experimental investigation. Additionally, during the inclusion complex formation, the presence of heteroatoms helps the guest molecules to undergo a larger structural reorganization to get accommodated inside the cucurbituril macromolecule. Atoms‐in‐molecules analysis shows the existence of strong intermolecular CH…O bonding between the guest molecules and cucurbituril macromolecule. The presence of an intramolecular CH…Cl type of bonding accounts for the higher stabilization of sulfur mustard inside the cucurbituril macromolecule. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Impact of chain length, temperature, and humidity on the growth of long alkyltrichlorosilane self-assembled monolayers

In this work, we have studied the growth of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on silicon dioxide (SiO(2)) made of various long alkyltrichlorosilane chains (16, 18, 20, 24, and 30 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain), at several values of temperature (11 and 20 °C in most cases) and relative humidity (18 and 45% RH). Using atomic force microscopy analysis, thickness measurements by ellipsometry, and contact angle measurements, we have built a model of growth behaviour of SAMs of those molecules according to the deposition conditions and the chain length. Particularly, this work brings not only a better knowledge of the less studied growth of triacontyltrichlorosilane (C(30)H(61)SiCl(3)) SAMs but also new results on SAMs of tetracosyltrichlorosilane (C(24)H(49)SiCl(3)) that have not already been studied to our knowledge. We have shown that the SAM growth behaviour of triacontyltrichlorosilane at 20 °C and 45% RH is similar to that obtained at 11 °C and 45% RH for shorter molecules of hexadecyltrichlorosilane (C(16)H(33)SiCl(3)), octadecyltrichlorosilane (C(18)H(37)SiCl(3)), eicosyltrichlorosilane (C(20)H(41)SiCl(3)) and tetracosyltrichlorosilane (C(24)H(49)SiCl(3)). We have also observed that the monolayers grow faster at 45% than at 18% RH, and surprisingly slower at 20 °C than at 11 °C. Another important result is that the growth time constant decreases with the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain except for C(24)H(49)SiCl(3) at 11 °C and 18% RH, and for C(30)H(61)SiCl(3). To our knowledge, such a chain length dependence of the growth time constant has never been reported. The latter and all the other results are interpreted by adapting a diffusion limited aggregation growth model.     

Effects of aqueous extracts from the stems and leaves of Trifolium pratense cv. Minshan on germination and seedling growth of three crops

以岷山红三叶（Trifolium pratense cv.Minshan）的茎、叶为供体植物,用蒸馏水浸泡48h制备水浸液。设0.05、0.10、0.15和0.20g·mL^-1 4个浓度梯度,以蒸馏水为对照,对燕麦（Avena sativa）、小白菜（Brassicachinensis）、披碱草（Elymus dahuricus）3种受体植物种子进行发芽试验和幼苗生长的生物测定。结果表明,不同浓度岷山红三叶茎叶水浸液对不同受体植物种子萌发和幼苗的生长发育有不同的化感效应。各浓度水浸液对种子萌发均没有显著影响（P〉0.05）,但对小白菜幼苗的生长均有显著的抑制作用（P〈0.05）;0.20g.mL-1浓度的水浸液对燕麦、披碱草和小白菜根生长抑制率分别为23.76%、35.73%和62.50%,且抑制作用显著;0.05g.mL-1浓度水浸液对披碱草幼芽的生长促进作用显著;在3种受体植物中,小白菜受到抑制作用较强,燕麦和披碱草则较弱。     

Effect of epoxidized sunflower oil on polylactic acid properties

Epoxidized sunflower oil (ESO) was utilized as a plasticizer for polylactic acid (PLA) using chloroform as a solvent by a solution casting process at various ratios of PLA to ESO. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to identify the functional groups of PLA, ESO, and PLA/ESO blends. Thermal stability and mechanical and morphological properties of the blends were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, tensile property measurements, and scanning electron microscopy technique, respectively. The FTIR spectra indicate that there are some molecular interactions by intermolecular hydrogen bonding between PLA and ESO. PLA/ESO blends show high thermal stability and significant improvement of mechanical properties compared with pure PLA. The highest elongation at break was obtained when the ratio of the PLA/ESO blend was 80/20. Morphological results of PLA/ESO blends show that ESO was well miscible with PLA.