The Occurrence and Biological Activity of Tormentic Acid—A Review

This review focuses on the natural sources and pharmacological activity of tormentic acid (TA; 2α,3β,19α-trihydroxyurs-2-en-28-oic acid). The current knowledge of its occurrence in various plant species and families is summarized. Biological activity (e.g., anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, anti-osteoarthritic, antinociceptive, antioxidative, anti-melanogenic, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and antiparasitic) confirmed in in vitro and in vivo studies is compiled and described. Biochemical mechanisms affected by TA are indicated. Moreover, issues related to the biotechnological methods of production, effective eluents, and TA derivatives are presented.     

A Rapid Gas-Chromatography/Mass-Spectrometry Technique for Determining Odour Activity Values of Volatile Compounds in Plant Proteins: Soy,and Allergen-Free Pea and Brown Rice Protein

Plant-based protein sources have a characteristic aroma that limits their usage in various meat-alternative formulations. Despite being the most popular plant-based protein, the allergenicity of soy protein severely restricts the potential adoption of soy protein as an animal substitute. Thereby, allergen-free plant-protein sources need to be characterized. Herein, we demonstrate a rapid solid-phase-microextraction gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) technique for comparing the volatile aroma profile concentration of two different allergen-free plant-protein sources (brown rice and pea) and comparing them with soy protein. The extraction procedure consisted of making a 1:7 w/v aqueous plant protein slurry, and then absorbing the volatile compounds on an SPME fibre under agitation for 10 min at 40 °C, which was subsequently injected onto a GC column coupled to an MS system. Observed volatile concentrations were used in conjunction with odour threshold values to generate a Total Volatile Aroma Score for each protein sample. A total of 76 volatile compounds were identified. Aldehydes and furans were determined to be the most dominant volatiles present in the plant proteins. Both brown rice protein and pea protein contained 64% aldehydes and 18% furans, with minor contents of alcohols, ketones and other compounds. On the other hand, soy protein consisted of fewer aldehydes (46%), but a more significant proportion of furans (42%). However, in terms of total concentration, brown rice protein contained the highest intensity and number of volatile compounds. Based on the calculated odour activity values of the detected compounds, our study concludes that pea proteins could be used as a suitable alternative to soy proteins in applications for allergen-free vegan protein products without interfering with the taste or flavour of the product.     

Solid-State 1H-NMR Relaxation Properties of the Fruit of a Wild Relative of Eggplant at Different Proton Larmor Frequencies

¹H longitudinal relaxation time profiles (T1) at different proton Larmor frequencies were registered for a solid-state plant tissue by using fast field cycling (FFC) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. T1 distributions were obtained and the curves deconvoluted in order to differentiate among the different T1 components. Among the components, two were assigned to hydrophobic (e.g., fatty acid) and hydrophilic (e.g., saccharide) molecular systems, whereas the others were attributed to bulk and bound water. This paper shows for the first time solid-state FFC-NMR spectroscopy applied to plant tissue and reveals that relaxometry is a very promising technique for studying plant systems.     

胡萝卜悬浮培养细胞和原生质体的玻璃化法超低温保存

采用玻璃化法成功地超低温保存了胡萝卡悬浮培养细胞及其原生质体，存活率分别为83．3％（TTC法检测）和47％（RDA法检测）。冻后细胞能恢复生长并再生植株。分析了玻璃化法超低温保存植物悬培养浮细胞和原生质体的主要影响因素。     

蒿属三种药用植物营养器官的解剖学研究

本文对大籽蒿、野艾、椒蒿的营养器官进行了组织形态学的观察.分析了药用植物的解剖学特征与药用成份的贮藏、运输和分泌的关系.并总结出这三种植物的茎与叶的显微结构特征可做为鉴别不同种和药材真伪的依据.     

TRANSFER OF THE ATRAZINE-RESISTANT GENE OF BLACK NIGHTSHADE TO SOYBEAN CHLOROPLAST GENOME AND ITS EXPRESSION IN TRANSGENIC PLANTS

The atrazine-resistant psbA gene of black nightshade was transferred to the chloroplast genome of atrazine-susceptible soybean by means of ovary microinjection during the stage of zygote. The identification was carried out by using the methods of spraying the leaves directly with atrazine solution, examining the change of leaf fluorescence kinetics under a brighter light induction, molecular hybridization, etc. The experimental results show that the transgenic soybean plants do have been obtained for the first time.     

Water Pollution Threat to the Environment by a Urea Plant

Disposal of untreated industrial effluents is drastically deteriorating the quality of underground water. Research work has been conducted to analyze the effect of disposal of urea plant effluent on the quality of ground water of the District Mianwali Daudkhail, Pakistan. For this purpose the effluent and ground water samples were analyzed for pH, TDS, TSS, Cl, F, COD, BOD, Fe, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cr, Cd, Mn, and As. Results obtained were compared with WHO and NEQS standards for drinking and effluent emission limits, respectively. Moreover, effluent samples were also evaluated for irrigation purposes and results compared with criteria recommended for irrigation water. Results showed though the effluents were according to the standards given by National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) for liquid emission and fit for irrigation purposes, the quality of underground water was below standard due to having a higher quantity of total dissolved solids than permissible.     

壳聚糖抗庭院植物病原真菌的活性

分别用过氧化氢和溶菌酶降解壳聚糖,制备得到了系列分子量(3.8×105,7.8×104,4.8×104,1.7×104,2.3×103)的壳聚糖样品.采用平板法研究了壳聚糖系列样品对大叶黄杨炭疽病、沿阶草炭疽病、广玉兰炭疽病和对节白蜡腐烂病等庭院植物病原真菌的体外抗菌性能.结果表明:水不溶性壳聚糖酸溶液均表现出抑菌活性,且随着浓度的增大而抑菌活性增强;中等分子量(7.8×104)壳聚糖比大分子量(3.8×105)壳聚糖和低分子量(1.7×104,2.3×103)壳聚糖抗菌作用强.     

植物生理信息采集处理系统研究

以虚拟仪器理论为基础研制的植物生理信息采集处理系统．应用了传感器技术、自动测量技术、微计算机软硬件技术及数据的数学处理方法．植物生理信息采集处理系统由传感器、信号调理电路、数据采集卡、通用计算机和数据采集软件、数据处理软件构成，实现了植物生理信息多通道数据的实时自动采集和处理功能．系统具有测量集成、植株活体无损测量、信息数字化、全自动记录、用数据库管理数据等特点．