Quantitative standardization of pharmacologically active components from antiplasmodial plant Solanum nudum Dunal (wild and in vitro) / Estandarización cuantitativa de componentes farmacológicamente activos de la planta antiplasmodial Solanum nudum Dunal (silvestre e in vitro)

Solanum nudum Dunal (Solanaceae) is most commonly known andused by the population of the colombian Pacific coast as an antimalarial treatment. This article study into optimization and quantitative analysis of compounds steroidal over time of development of this species when grown in vitro and wild. A new steroidal compound named SN6 was elucidated by NMR and a new method of quantification of seven steroidal compounds (Diosgenone DONA and six steroids SNs) using HPLC-DAD-MS in extracts of cultures in vitroand wild was investigated. Biology activity of extracts was found to a range of antiplasmodial activity in FCB2 and NF-54 with inhibitory concentration (IC50) between (17.04 -100µg/mL) and cytotoxicity in U-937 of CC50 (7.18 -104.7µg/mL). This method creates the basis for the detection of seven sterols antiplasmodial present in extracts from S. nudum plant as a quality parameter in the control and expression of phytochemicals.

Solanum nudum Dunal (Solanaceae) es el más conocido y utilizado por la población de la costa del Pacífico colombiano como tratamiento antipalúdico. Este artículo estudia la optimización y el análisis cuantitativo de compuestos esteroides a lo largo del tiempo de desarrollo de esta especie cuando se cultiva in vitro y en forma silvestre. Un nuevo compuesto esteroideo llamado SN6 fue dilucidado por RMN y se investigó un nuevo método de cuantificación de siete compuestos esteroides (Diosgenone DONA y seis esteroides SN) usando HPLC-DAD-MS en extractos de cultivos in vitro y silvestres. La actividad biológica de los extractos se encontró en un rango de actividad antiplasmodial en FCB2 y NF-54 con concentración inhibitoria (IC50) entre (17.04 -100 µg/mL) y citotoxicidad en U-937 de CC50 (7.18 -104.7 µg/mL). Este método crea la base para la detección de siete esteroles antiplasmodiales presentes en extractos de planta de S. nudum como parámetro de calidad en el control y expresión de fitoquímicos.

Size-dependent sex allocation in Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. (Solanaceae) / Alocação de sexo dependente de tamanho em Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. (Solanaceae)

Resource allocation to reproduction can change depending on size, as predicted by the size-dependent sex allocation. This theory is based on the fact that small individuals will invest in the allocation of sex with lower cost of production, usually male gender. In plants, there are some andromonoecy species, presence of hermaphrodite and male flowers in the same individual. Andromonoecy provides a strategy to optimally allocate resources to male and female function, evolving a reproductive energy-saving strategy. Thus, our objective was to investigate the size-dependent sex allocation in Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. We tested the hypothesis that plants with larger size will invest in the production of hermaphrodite flowers, because higher individuals have greater availability of resources to invest in more complex structures involving greater energy expenditure. The studied species was S. lycocarpum, an andromonoecious species. From June 2016 to March 2017 the data were collected in 38 individuals, divided in two groups: the larger plant group (n=18; height=3-5 m) and the smaller plant group (n=20; height=1-2 m).Our data show that there was effect of plant size on the flower production and the sexual gender allocation. The larger plants showed more flowers and higher production of hermaphrodite flowers. Furthermore, in the flower scale, we observed allometric relationship among the flower's traits with proportional investments in biomass, anther size and gynoecium size. Our results are in agreement with size-dependent sex allocation theory and andromonoecy hypothesis related to mechanisms for optimal resource allocation to male and female function.

A alocação de recursos para reprodução pode mudar dependendo do tamanho, conforme previsto pela alocação sexual dependente do tamanho. Essa teoria é baseada no fato de que indivíduos pequenos investirão na alocação sexual com menor custo de produção, geralmente do sexo masculino. Nas plantas, existem algumas espécies andromonoicas, presença de hermafrodita e flores masculinas no mesmo indivíduo. A andromonoicia fornece uma estratégia para alocar recursos de maneira ideal às funções masculina e feminina, desenvolvendo uma estratégia reprodutiva de economia de energia. Assim, nosso objetivo foi investigar a alocação sexual dependente do tamanho em Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. Testamos a hipótese de que plantas de maior tamanho investirão na produção de flores hermafroditas, pois indivíduos mais altos economizam mais disponibilidade de recursos para investir em estruturas mais complexas que envolvem maior gasto de energia. A espécie estudada foi S. lycocarpum, uma espécie andromonoica. De junho de 2016 a março de 2017, os dados foram coletados em 38 indivíduos, divididos em dois grupos: o maior grupo de plantas (n = 18; altura = 3-5 m) e o menor grupo de plantas (n = 20; altura = 1-2 m). Nossos dados mostram que houve efeito do tamanho da planta na produção de flores e na alocação sexual. As plantas maiores apresentaram mais flores e maior produção de flores hermafroditas. Além disso, observamos uma relação alométrica entre as características da flor, com investimentos proporcionais em biomassa, tamanho da antera e tamanho do gineceu. Nossos resultados estão de acordo com a teoria de alocação de sexo dependente de tamanho e a hipótese de andromonoicia relacionada a mecanismos para a alocação ótima de recursos para a função masculina e feminina.

Effects of nitrogen and phosphorus availability on the early growth of two congeneric pairs of savanna and forest species / Efeitos da disponibilidade de nitrogênio e fósforo no crescimento inicial de dois pares congenéricos de espécies de savana e floresta

In the tropical region, savannas and seasonal forests, both highly diverse biomes, occur side by side, under the same climate. If so, that mosaic cannot be explained solely by climatic variables, but also by fire, water availability and soil status. Nutrient availability in the soil, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, has been postulated to explain the abrupt transitions between savannas and seasonal forests in tropical regions. Plants from these two biomes may present different nutritional strategies to cope with nitrogen and phosphorus limitation. We used two congeneric pairs of trees — each pair with a species from the savanna and another from the neighboring seasonal forest — to test whether savanna and forest species presented different nutritional strategies during their early development. We cultivated 56 individuals from each of these species in a hydroponics system with four treatments: (1) complete Hoagland solution, (2) Hoagland solution without nitrogen, (3) Hoagland solution without phosphorus, and (4) Hoagland solution without nitrogen and phosphorus. After 45 days, we harvested the plants and measured total biomass, root to shoot ratio, height, leaf area, and specific leaf area. Overall, savanna species were lighter, shorter, with smaller leaves, higher specific leaf areas, and higher root to shoot ratios when compared to the forest species. Nitrogen increased the performance of species from both biomes. Phosphorus improved the performance of the forest species and caused toxicity symptoms in the savanna species. Hence, savanna and forest species presented different demands and were partially distinct already as seedlings concerning their nutritional strategies.

Em regiões tropicais, savanas e florestas estacionais, biomas altamente diversos, ocorrem lado a lado, sob o mesmo clima. Sendo assim, esse mosaico não pode ser explicado somente por variáveis climáticas, devendo ser considerada a frequência e intensidade de incêndios, disponibilidade de água e status do solo. A disponibilidade de nutrientes no solo, especialmente nitrogênio e fósforo, tem sido postulada para explicar as transições abruptas entre savanas e florestas estacionais nos trópicos. Espécies vegetais desses dois biomas podem apresentar estratégias nutricionais diferentes para lidar com a limitação tanto de nitrogênio como de fósforo. Utilizamos dois pares de árvores congenéricas — cada par com uma espécie típica de savana e outra de floresta estacional vizinha — para testar se as espécies da savana e da floresta apresentaram estratégias nutricionais diferentes durante seu desenvolvimento inicial. Cultivamos 56 indivíduos de cada uma dessas espécies em um sistema hidropônico com quatro tratamentos: (1) solução Hoagland completa, (2) solução Hoagland sem nitrogênio, (3) solução Hoagland sem fósforo e (4) solução Hoagland sem nitrogênio e fósforo. Após 45 dias, colhemos as plantas e medimos a biomassa total, a relação raiz / parte aérea, altura, área foliar e área foliar específica. No geral, as espécies savânicas foram mais leves, menores em altura, área foliar e área foliar específica e apresentaram maiores razões entre biomassa radicular por biomassa aérea quando comparadas às espécies florestais. A oferta de nitrogênio aumentou o desempenho das espécies de ambos biomas. O fósforo melhorou o desempenho das espécies florestais e causou sintomas de toxicidade nas espécies savânicas. Concluímos que, já como mudas, espécies congenéricas de savana e floresta apresentaram demandas distintas e foram parcialmente diferentes em relação a suas estratégias nutricionais.

The ScRALF3 secreted peptide is involved in sporophyte to gametophyte signalling and affects pollen mitosis I.

Signalling events through small peptides are essential in multiple aspects of plant reproduction. The ScRALF3 Solanum chacoense Rapid Alkalinization Factor (RALF) peptide was previously shown to regulate multiple aspects of cell-cell communication between the surrounding sporophytic tissue and the female gametophyte during ovule development. We analysed the global expression pattern of ScRALF3 with GUS reporter gene under control of the ScRALF3 promoter and validated it with in situ hybridisation. To better understand the role of ScRALF3 we used three different RNA interference (RNAi) lines that reduced the expression of ScRALF3 during pollen development. Both expression methods showed the presence of ScRALF3 in different tissues, including stigma, style, vascular tissues and during stamen development. Down-regulation of ScRALF3 expression through RNAi showed drastic defects in early stages of pollen development, mainly on the first mitosis. These results suggest that the ScRALF3 secreted peptide regulates the transition from sporogenesis to gametogenesis in both male and female gametophytes.

Tomato Root Growth Inhibition by Salinity and Cadmium Is Mediated By S-Nitrosative Modifications of ROS Metabolic Enzymes Controlled by S-Nitrosoglutathione Reductase.

S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) exerts crucial roles in the homeostasis of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in plant cells through indirect control of S-nitrosation, an important protein post-translational modification in signaling pathways of NO. Using cultivated and wild tomato species, we studied GSNOR function in interactions of key enzymes of reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism with RNS mediated by protein S-nitrosation during tomato root growth and responses to salinity and cadmium. Application of a GSNOR inhibitor N6022 increased both NO and S-nitrosothiol levels and stimulated root growth in both genotypes. Moreover, N6022 treatment, as well as S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) application, caused intensive S-nitrosation of important enzymes of ROS metabolism, NADPH oxidase (NADPHox) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). Under abiotic stress, activities of APX and NADPHox were modulated by S-nitrosation. Increased production of H2O2 and subsequent oxidative stress were observed in wild Solanumhabrochaites, together with increased GSNOR activity and reduced S-nitrosothiols. An opposite effect occurred in cultivated S. lycopersicum, where reduced GSNOR activity and intensive S-nitrosation resulted in reduced ROS levels by abiotic stress. These data suggest stress-triggered disruption of ROS homeostasis, mediated by modulation of RNS and S-nitrosation of NADPHox and APX, underlies tomato root growth inhibition by salinity and cadmium stress.

African Nightshade (Solanum scabrum Mill.): Impact of Cultivation and Plant Processing on Its Health Promoting Potential as Determined in a Human Liver Cell Model.

Plant cultivation and processing may impact nutrient and phytochemical content of vegetables. The present study aimed at determining the influence of cultivation and processing on the health promoting capacity of African nightshade (Solanum scabrum Mill.) leaves, an indigenous vegetable, rich in nutrients and phytochemicals. Anti-genotoxicity against the human liver carcinogen aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) as determined by the comet assay and radical oxygen species (ROS) scavenging capacity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts were investigated in human derived liver (HepG2) cells. ROS scavenging activity was assessed using electron paramagnetic spin resonance and quantification of ARE/Nrf2 mediated gene expression. The cultivation was done under different environmental conditions. The processing included fermentation and cooking; postharvest ultraviolet irradiation (UV-C) treatment was also investigated. Overall, S. scabrum extracts showed strong health promoting potential, the highest potential was observed with the fermented extract, which showed a 60% reduction of AFB1 induced DNA damage and a 38% reduction in FeSO4 induced oxidative stress. The content of total polyphenols, carotenoids and chlorophylls was indeed affected by cultivation and processing. Based on the present in vitro findings consumption of S. scabrum leaves could be further encouraged, preferentially after cooking or fermentation of the plant.

Influence of altitude and enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation on tuber production, seed viability, leaf pigments and morphology in the wild potato species Solanum kurtzianum Bitter & Wittm collected from an elevational gradient.

Climate change could lead to an upward shift in plant distribution, exposing populations to higher levels of ultraviolet (UV)-B radiation. In the framework of an in situ strategy for conserving potato wild relatives, we evaluated the effect of high UV-B levels on natural population of Solanum kurtzianum. The hypothesis is that plants from naturally higher altitudes are more adapted to increased UV-B radiation. Two populations from low and high altitudes were field supplemented using UV-B-lamps (+UV-B) or excluded from it with plastic filters. Additionally, to assess in which extent the plant responses to these artificial experimental conditions are reproducible in natural conditions, three genotypes were cultivated in two mountain experimental gardens (EG) at different elevations. +UV-B treatment induced changes in leaf morphology and increases in phenolic compounds in both populations, indicating plant adaptation, since chlorophylls and reproductive structures were not negatively affected. These results indicate that this environmental factor may not limit the displacement of populations towards sites with higher UV-B levels. Meanwhile, in higher-altitude EG a tubers yield reduction, mainly through a decreased tuber number and a bigger accumulation of phenolic compounds than in +UV-B treatment were observed, suggesting that UV-B is not the only factor involved in plants adaptation to high altitude environments.

Soil heavy metal contamination and health risks associated with artisanal gold mining in Tongguan, Shaanxi, China.

Soil contamination with heavy metals due to mining activities poses risks to ecological safety and human well-being. Limited studies have investigated heavy metal pollution due to artisanal mining. The present study focused on soil contamination and the health risk in villages in China with historical artisanal mining activities. Heavy metal levels in soils, tailings, cereal and vegetable crops were analyzed and health risk assessed. Additionally, a botany investigation was conducted to identify potential plants for further phytoremediation. The results showed that soils were highly contaminated by residual tailings and previous mining activities. Hg and Cd were the main pollutants in soils. The Hg and Pb concentrations in grains and some vegetables exceeded tolerance limits. Moreover, heavy metal contents in wheat grains were higher than those in maize grains, and leafy vegetables had high concentrations of metals. Ingestion of local grain-based food was the main sources of Hg, Cd, and Pb intake. Local residents had high chronic risks due to the intake of Hg and Pb, while their carcinogenic risk associated with Cd through inhalation was low. Three plants (Erigeron canadensis L., Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koel., and Solanum nigrum L.) were identified as suitable species for phytoremediation.

Impedance Flow Cytometry: A Novel Technique in Pollen Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: An efficient and reliable method to estimate plant cell viability, especially of pollen, is important for plant breeding research and plant production processes. Pollen quality is determined by classical methods, like staining techniques or in vitro pollen germination, each having disadvantages with respect to reliability, analysis speed, and species dependency. Analysing single cells based on their dielectric properties by impedance flow cytometry (IFC) has developed into a common method for cellular characterisation in microbiology and medicine during the last decade. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the potential of IFC in plant cell analysis with the focus on pollen. METHOD: Developing and mature pollen grains were analysed during their passage through a microfluidic chip to which radio frequencies of 0.5 to 12 MHz were applied. The acquired data provided information about the developmental stage, viability, and germination capacity. The biological relevance of the acquired IFC data was confirmed by classical staining methods, inactivation controls, as well as pollen germination assays. RESULTS: Different stages of developing pollen, dead, viable and germinating pollen populations could be detected and quantified by IFC. Pollen viability analysis by classical FDA staining showed a high correlation with IFC data. In parallel, pollen with active germination potential could be discriminated from the dead and the viable but non-germinating population. CONCLUSION: The presented data demonstrate that IFC is an efficient, label-free, reliable and non-destructive technique to analyse pollen quality in a species-independent manner.

Interspecies rootstocks affect cadmium accumulation in postgrafting generation plants of potential cadmium-hyperaccumulator Solanum photeinocarpum.

Pot and field experiments were conducted to study the effects of interspecies rootstocks on cadmium (Cd) accumulation characteristics of the potential Cd-hyperaccumulator Solanum photeinocarpum postgrafting generation plants. Four treatments (ungrafted and S. photeinocarpum seedlings grafted on the rootstocks of eggplant, potato, and tomato) were utilized in the present study. In the 2 pot experiments, eggplant and potato reduced biomass of S. photeinocarpum postgrafting generation plants, whereas tomato increased shoot biomass compared with the control (ungrafted seedlings). Compared with ungrafted seedlings, tomato increased and eggplant decreased Cd contents in shoots of S. photeinocarpum postgrafting generation. Only tomato increased Cd extraction by shoots of S. photeinocarpum postgrafting generation compared with ungrafted seedlings. In the field experiment, only tomato increased shoot Cd content of S. photeinocarpum postgrafting generation by 8.31% and shoot Cd extraction by 9.30% compared with ungrafted seedlings. Therefore, use of tomato as rootstock could enhance the ability of S. photeinocarpum postgrafting generation plants to remediate Cd-contaminated soil. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2845-2850. © 2016 SETAC.

Effect of Inoculation with Glomus versiforme on Cadmium Accumulation, Antioxidant Activities and Phytochelatins of Solanum photeinocarpum.

The plant growth, phosphate acquisition, Cd translocation, phytochelatins (PCs) production and antioxidant parameters [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione (GSH), ascorbate (ASA) and malonaldehyde (MDA)] were investigated in Cd-hyperaccumulator Solanum photeinocarpum inoculated with Glomus versiforme BGC GD01C (Gv) in Cd-added soils (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 mg Cd kg-1 soil). Mycorrhizal colonization rates were generally high (from 77% to 94%), and hardly affected by Cd. Gv colonization significantly enhanced P acquisition, growth and total Cd uptakes in both shoots and roots of S. photeinocarpum at all Cd levels. Meanwhile, Gv symbiosis significantly increased Cd concentration in the roots, and decreased Cd concentration in the shoots at all Cd levels, which indicates that Gv could promote phytostabilization by enhancing Cd accumulation in the roots to inhibit its translocation to shoots and the "dilution effects" linked to an increase in plant dry matter yield and a reduced Cd partitioning to shoots. Moreover, the improvement of CAT, POD and APX activities in the leaves of mycorrhizal plants infers that Gv symbiosis helped S. photeinocarpum to relieve oxidative damage to biomolecules in Cd-contaminated soil. The evident decline of MDA content in the leaves of mycorrhizal plants indicates that Gv symbiosis evidently improved antioxidant activities, and the enhancement of PCs production in the leaves of mycorrhizal plants suggests that Gv-inoculated plant may be more efficient to relieve Cd phytotoxicity. Therefore, the possible mechanisms of Cd phytotoxicity alleviation by Gv can be concluded as the decline of Cd concentration in the shoots and the improvement of P acquisition, PCs production and activities of CAT, POD, APX in mycorrhizal plants.

Genotypic variability for antioxidant and quality parameters among tomato cultivars, hybrids, cherry tomatoes and wild species.

BACKGROUND: Wide germplasm diversity and transferability of antioxidant parameters is the primary requirement for the development of high-antioxidant tomato cultivars. The present study was conducted to screen tomato genotypes including hybrids, varieties, cherry tomatoes, wild species, elite germplasm lines, interspecific hybrids and backcross populations for antioxidant activity and other quality parameters to select high-antioxidant lines with good total soluble solids (TSS) for further usage in crop improvement programmes. RESULTS: Wild species and interspecific hybrids between LA-1777 (Solanum habrochaites) and an elite genotype 15SBSB recorded very high antioxidant capacity (FRAP), DPPH radical-scavenging ability, and high phenols and flavonoids. Interspecific hybrids also recorded very high total soluble solids (TSS). Significantly higher total carotenoids, lycopene and vitamin C were observed in IIHR-249-1 with moderately higher TSS. Cherry tomato lines IIHR-2866, 2865 and 2864 recorded four to five times more ß-carotene than commercial hybrids/varieties. CONCLUSION: Tomato line IIHR-249-1 can be used for improving antioxidant capacity, total carotenoids and lycopene in tomato breeding programmes. Cherry tomato lines IIHR-2866, 2865 and 2864 can be used for improving ß-carotene content. LA-1777 and interspecific hybrids could be used for developing tomato lines rich in antioxidants as well as TSS.

Stochastic changes affect Solanum wild species following autopolyploidization.

Polyploidy is very common within angiosperms, and several studies are in progress to ascertain the effects of early polyploidization at the molecular, physiological, and phenotypic level. Extensive studies are available only in synthetic allopolyploids. By contrast, less is known about the consequences of autopolyploidization. The current study aimed to assess the occurrence and extent of genetic, epigenetic, and anatomical changes occurring after oryzaline-induced polyploidization of Solanum commersonii Dunal and Solanum bulbocastanum Dunal, two diploid (2n=2×=24) potato species widely used in breeding programmes. Microsatellite analysis showed no polymorphisms between synthetic tetraploids and diploid progenitors. By contrast, analysis of DNA methylation levels indicated that subtle alterations at CG and CHG sites were present in tetraploids of both species. However, no change occurred concurrently in all tetraploids analysed with respect to their diploid parent, revealing a stochastic trend in the changes observed. The morpho-anatomical consequences of polyploidization were studied in leaf main veins and stomata. With only a few exceptions, analyses showed no clear superiority of tetraploids in terms of leaf thickness and area, vessel number, lumen size and vessel wall thickness, stomata pore length and width, guard cell width, and stomatal density compared with their diploid progenitors. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that there are no traits systematically associated with autopolyploidy.

ScRALF3, a secreted RALF-like peptide involved in cell-cell communication between the sporophyte and the female gametophyte in a solanaceous species.

Small peptides have been shown to regulate numerous aspects of plant development through cell-cell communication. These signaling events are particularly important during reproduction, regulating gamete development and embryogenesis. Rapid alkalinization factor (RALF)-like genes, a large gene family that encodes secreted peptides, have specific or ubiquitous expression patterns. Previously, five RALF-like genes with potential involvement during reproduction were isolated from Solanum chacoense. Here, we show that ScRALF3 is an important peptide regulator of female gametophyte development. Its expression, which is auxin-inducible, is strictly regulated before and after fertilization. Down-regulation of ScRALF3 expression by RNA interference leads to the production of smaller fruits that produce fewer seeds, due to improper development of the embryo sacs. Defects include loss of embryo sac nuclei polarization, as well as an increase in asynchronous division, accounting for cellular dysfunctions and premature embryo sac development arrest during megagametogenesis. ScRALF3 is expressed in the sporophytic tissue surrounding the embryo sac, the integument and the nucellus, as revealed by in situ hybridization and GUS staining. As expected for a secreted peptide, fluorescence from an ScRALF3-GFP fusion construct is detected throughout the secretory pathway. Therefore, the ScRALF3 secreted peptide may be directly involved in the regulation of multiple aspects of cell-cell communication between the female gametophyte and its surrounding sporophytic tissue during ovule development.

Characterization of the fungal gibberellin desaturase as a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase and its utilization for enhancing plant growth.

The biosynthesis of gibberellic acid (GA(3)) by the fungus Fusarium fujikuroi is catalyzed by seven enzymes encoded in a gene cluster. While four of these enzymes are characterized as cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, the nature of a fifth oxidase, GA(4) desaturase (DES), is unknown. DES converts GA(4) to GA(7) by the formation of a carbon-1,2 double bond in the penultimate step of the pathway. Here, we show by expression of the des complementary DNA in Escherichia coli that DES has the characteristics of a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase. Although it has low amino acid sequence homology with known 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases, putative iron- and 2-oxoglutarate-binding residues, typical of such enzymes, are apparent in its primary sequence. A survey of sequence databases revealed that homologs of DES are widespread in the ascomycetes, although in most cases the homologs must participate in non-gibberellin (GA) pathways. Expression of des from the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter in the plant species Solanum nigrum, Solanum dulcamara, and Nicotiana sylvestris resulted in substantial growth stimulation, with a 3-fold increase in height in S. dulcamara compared with controls. In S. nigrum, the height increase was accompanied by a 20-fold higher concentration of GA(3) in the growing shoots than in controls, although GA(1) content was reduced. Expression of des was also shown to partially restore growth in plants dwarfed by ectopic expression of a GA 2-oxidase (GA-deactivating) gene, consistent with GA(3) being protected from 2-oxidation. Thus, des has the potential to enable substantial growth increases, with practical implications, for example, in biomass production.

Comparative transcriptome analysis of cadmium responses in Solanum nigrum and Solanum torvum.

• Solanum nigrum is a cadmium (Cd) accumulator, whereas Solanum torvum is a low Cd-accumulating plant. The molecular mechanisms that are responsible for differential cadmium (Cd) accumulation in the two Solanum species are poorly understood. • Here, grafting experiments confirmed that increased Cd loading into the root xylem was responsible for the differential Cd accumulation in the two Solanum species. An iron (Fe) supply assay indicated that low Fe accumulation in S. torvum leaves is related to its Cd sensitivity. • Transcriptome analyses revealed higher expression of the genes that encode several metal transporters as well as antioxidant-related genes, and several organic and amino acid biosynthesis/metabolism-related genes in Cd-treated S. nigrum. Our data also indicated that the different responsive mechanisms of the transporter genes to Fe deficiency might be responsible for differential uptake and redistribution of metals in the two Solanum species • These results form a basis upon which to further explore the molecular mechanisms of Cd accumulation and tolerance, and provide an insight into novel strategies that can be used for phytoremediation and food safety.

Effects of different maturity stages on antioxidant content of Ivorian Gnagnan (Solanum indicum L.) berries.

Gnagnan (Solanum indicum L.) is a spontaneous plant widely distributed in Ivory Coast. During ripening stages, Solanum indicum L. presents different colours (green, yellow and red) and is reported to contain several albeit poorly characterized antioxidant compounds. This paper describes in detail the antioxidant profile (ascorbic acid, carotenoids and polyphenols), antioxidant capacity (FRAP test and Folin-Ciocalteau assay) and the colour changes of Gnagnan berries at different ripening levels. Ascorbic acid content was similar in green and yellow berries, but significantly lower in red ones. Red berries showed a higher content of carotenoids compared to green and yellow ones. Regarding polyphenols, several phenolic acids and flavonoids were found in all berries. The content of caffeoylquinic acids, caffeic acid, flavonol glycosides and naringenin was higher in red berries, while the content of p-coumaric acid and feruloylquinic acids was similar among the three colours. The FRAP assay increased with the ripening process, whereas total polyphenols were similar among berries. Significant differences were found for the colorimetric indexes among products of different degrees of ripening. The present results show the important role of the ripening stage in increasing the antioxidant content of Gnagnan berries.

Absorption and translocation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) by plants from contaminated sewage sludge.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are used as additive flame retardants. PBDEs are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic compounds. They are often detected in sewage sludge which is applied on agricultural soils as fertilizer. The objective of this study was to find out whether plants are able to accumulate and translocate PBDEs. Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and nightshade (Solanum nigrum) were planted in pots containing contaminated sewage sludge and uncontaminated substrate. After 6 months of plant cultivation in sewage sludge up to 15.4 ng g(-1) dw and 76.6 ng g(-1) dw of PBDE congeners--BDE 47, BDE 99 and BDE 100---were accumulated in the nightshade and tobacco tissue, respectively. Corresponding values in plants vegetated in the control garden substrate were 10 times lower. The bioconcentration factors (BCFs) of accumulated congeners were calculated. Tobacco exhibited higher BCFs values and for both plants BCFs values of BDE 47, BDE 99, BDE 100 and BDE 209 negatively correlated with their octanol-water partition coefficients (logK(ow)). The exception was decaBDE (BDE 209) which was accumulated only in tobacco tissue in the concentration of 116.8 ng g(-1) dw. The majority of PBDEs was detected in above-ground plant biomass indicating that both plants have the ability to translocate PBDEs. To our knowledge this is one of the first studies reporting the accumulation of both lower PBDEs and BDE 209 in plants. Our results suggest that absorption, accumulation and translocation of PBDEs by plants and their transfer to the food chain could represent another possible risk for human exposure.

Avaliação da atividade antibacteriana e prospecção fitoquímica de Solanum paniculatum Lam. e Operculina hamiltonii (G. Don) D. F. Austin & Staples, do semi-árido paraibano / Evaluation of antibacterial activity and phytochemical prospection of Solanum paniculatum Lam. and Operculina hamiltonii (G. Don) D. F. Austin & Staples from the semi-arid region of Paraíba State, Brazil

Devido ao aparecimento de populações de parasitos resistentes, as drogas farmacêuticas, alternativas de controle, estão sendo pesquisadas utilizando plantas medicinais. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade antibacteriana e realizar a análise fitoquímica do extrato etanólico de duas espécies do semi-árido paraibano, Solanum paniculatum Lam. e Operculina hamiltonii (G. Don) D. F. Austin & Staples. As referidas espécies são muito utilizadas pela população rural contra verminoses gastrintestinais de ovinos. A prospecção fitoquímica foi obtida a partir dos extratos etanólicos para análise dos constituintes químicos existentes nas duas espécies. As análises dos extratos indicaram a presença de taninos flobabênicos, flavononóis, flavononas e alcalóides em ambas as espécies. A atividade antibacteriana foi determinada inicialmente pelo método de difusão em cavidade. A espécie S. paniculatum apresentou atividade contra Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 12692), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) e Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), no entanto O. hamintonii não demonstrou atividade contra as linhagens bacterianas testadas.

The emergence of resistant parasite populations has led to the study of pharmaceutical drugs, which represent an alternative control. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity and to perform the phytochemical analysis of the ethanol extract from two species belonging to the semi-arid region of Paraíba State, Brazil: Solanum paniculatum Lam. and Operculina hamiltonii (G. Don) D. F. Austin & Staples. Such species have been largely used by the rural population against ovine gastrointestinal helminthes. Phytochemical prospection was obtained from ethanol extracts for analysis of chemical compounds present in both species. Extract analyses indicated the presence of condensed tannins, flavonols, flavanones, and alkaloids in both species. The antibacterial activity was initially determined by the cavity method. The species S. paniculatum had activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 12692), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442); however, O. hamintonii did not present activity against the tested bacterial strains.

Mapping and cloning of late blight resistance genes from Solanum venturii using an interspecific candidate gene approach.

Late blight, caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans, is one of the most devastating diseases of potato. Resistance (R) genes from the wild species Solanum demissum have been used by breeders to generate late-blight-resistant cultivars but resistance was soon overcome by the pathogen. A more recent screening of a large number of wild species has led to the identification of novel sources of resistance, many of which are currently being characterized further. Here, we report on the cloning of dominant Rpi genes from S. venturii. Rpi-vnt1.1 and Rpi-vnt1.3 were mapped to chromosome 9 using nucleotide binding site (NBS) profiling. Subsequently, a Tm-2(2)-based allele mining strategy was used to clone both genes. Rpi-vnt1.1 and Rpi-vnt1.3 belong to the coiled-coil NBS leucine-rich repeat (LRR) class of plant R genes and encode predicted peptides of 891 and 905 amino acids (aa), respectively, which share 75% amino acid identity with the Tomato mosaic virus resistance protein Tm-2(2) from tomato. Compared with Rpi-vnt1.1, Rpi-vnt1.3 harbors a 14-aa insertion in the N-terminal region of the protein and two different amino acids in the LRR domain. Despite these differences, Rpi-vnt1.1 and Rpi-vnt1.3 genes have the same resistance spectrum.