The root-associated Fusarium isolated based on fungal community analysis improves phytoremediation efficiency of Ricinus communis L. in multi metal-contaminated soils.

Phytoremediation is a widely accepted bioremediation method of treating heavy metal contaminated soils. Nevertheless, the remediation efficiency in multi-metal contaminated soils is still unsatisfactory attributable to susceptibility to different metals. To isolate root-associated fungi for improving phytoremediation efficiency in multi-metal contaminated soils, the fungal flora in root endosphere, rhizoplane, rhizosphere of Ricinus communis L. in heavy metal contaminated soils and non-heavy metal contaminated soils were compared by ITS amplicon sequencing, and then the critical fungal strains were isolated and inoculated into host plants to improve phytoremediation efficiency in Cd, Pb, and Zn-contaminated soils. The fungal ITS amplicon sequencing analysis indicated that the fungal community in root endosphere was more susceptible to heavy metals than those in rhizoplane and rhizosphere soils and Fusarium dominated the endophytic fungal community of R. communis L. roots under heavy metal stress. Three endophytic strains (Fusarium sp. F2, Fusarium sp. F8, and Fusarium sp. F14) isolated from Ricinus communis L. roots showed high resistances to multi-metals and possessed growth-promoting characteristics. Biomass and metal extraction amount of R. communis L. with Fusarium sp. F2, Fusarium sp. F8, and Fusarium sp. F14 inoculation in Cd-, Pb- and Zn-contaminated soils were significantly higher than those without the inoculation. The results suggested that fungal community analysis-guided isolation could be employed to obtain desired root-associated fungi for enhancing phytoremediation of multi-metal contaminated soils.

Biodegradable scaffolds based on plant stems for application in regenerative medicine.

Several synthetic and natural materials have been studied for the confection of temporary grafts for application in regenerative medicine, however, the development of a material with adequate properties remains a challenge, mainly because its degradation kinetics in biological systems. Nature provides materials with noble properties that can be used as such for many applications, thus, taking advantage of the available morphology and assembled structures of plants, we propose to study the vegetable stems for use as temporary graft. Since thein vivodegradation is maybe one of the most important features of the temporary grafts, here we have implanted the plant stems from pumpkin, papaya, and castor into the subepithelial tissue of animals and followed their biodegradation process and the local inflammatory response. Mechanical tests, FTIR and contact angle with water were also analysed. The results indicated the mechanical properties and the contact angle were adequate for use in regenerative medicine. The results of thein vivostudies indicated a beneficial inflammatory process and a gradual disintegration of the materials within 60 days, suggesting the plants stems as new and potential materials for development of grafts for use in the field of regenerative medicine.

Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus communis L.) Leaves Improve Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy via Nrf2 Activation.

Skeletal muscle atrophy is characterized by reduced muscle function and size. Oxidative stress contributes to muscle atrophy but can be treated with antioxidants. This study investigated the antioxidant activity of a castor oil plant leaf (Ricinus communis L.) extract (RC) and its effects on muscle atrophy. Rutin was identified as the major compound among the thirty compounds identified in RC via LC-MS/MS and was found to inhibit dexamethasone (DEX)-induced muscle atrophy and mitochondrial oxidative stress. Rutin-rich RC showed DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and efficiently reduced the DEX-induced myotube atrophy and mitochondrial oxidative damage in C2C12 cells. RC supplementation prevented the loss of muscle function and muscle mass in DEX-administered mice and ameliorated DEX-induced oxidative stress via Nrf2 signaling. Taken together, both RC and rutin ameliorated muscle atrophy and helped in maintaining redox homeostasis; hence, rutin-rich RC could be a promising functional food that is beneficial for muscle health.

Suppression of Physaria fendleri SDP1 Increased Seed Oil and Hydroxy Fatty Acid Content While Maintaining Oil Biosynthesis Through Triacylglycerol Remodeling.

Physaria fendleri is a burgeoning oilseed crop that accumulates the hydroxy fatty acid (HFA), lesquerolic acid, and can be a non-toxic alternative crop to castor for production of industrially valuable HFA. Recently, P. fendleri was proposed to utilize a unique seed oil biosynthetic pathway coined "triacylglycerol (TAG) remodeling" that utilizes a TAG lipase to remove common fatty acids from TAG allowing the subsequent incorporation of HFA after initial TAG synthesis, yet the lipase involved is unknown. SUGAR DEPENDENT 1 (SDP1) has been characterized as the dominant TAG lipase involved in TAG turnover during oilseed maturation and germination. Here, we characterized the role of a putative PfeSDP1 in both TAG turnover and TAG remodeling. In vitro assays confirmed that PfeSDP1 is a TAG lipase and demonstrated a preference for HFA-containing TAG species. Seed-specific RNAi knockdown of PfeSDP1 resulted in a 12%-16% increase in seed weight and 14%-19% increase in total seed oil content with no major effect on seedling establishment. The increase in total oil content was primarily due to ~4.7% to ~14.8% increase in TAG molecular species containing two HFA (2HFA-TAG), and when combined with a smaller decrease in 1HFA-TAG content the proportion of total HFA in seed lipids increased 4%-6%. The results are consistent with PfeSDP1 involved in TAG turnover but not TAG remodeling to produce 2HFA-TAG. Interestingly, the concomitant reduction of 1HFA-TAG in PfeSDP1 knockdown lines suggests PfeSDP1 may have a role in reverse TAG remodeling during seed maturation that produces 1HFA-TAG from 2HFA-TAG. Overall, our results provide a novel strategy to enhance the total amount of industrially valuable lesquerolic acid in P. fendleri seeds.

Phytochemical screening, green synthesis of gold nanoparticles, and antibacterial activity using seeds extract of Ricinus communis L.

In the current research study, the phytochemical tests of the Ricinus communis L methanolic extract detected the presence of coumarin, reducing sugar, emodines, terpenoids, flavonoids, and steroids while water extract showed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, and soluble starch. The methanolic extract was further subjected to synthesize Au nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles were confirmed by UV-Vis through the appearance of a peak at 550 nm which correspond to the existence of Au nanoparticles. The size and morphology of synthesized nanoparticle were further studied by the dynamic light scattering technique which shows that nanoparticles were in the range of 100 nm which were further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The synthesized nanoparticles and extracts were tested against different bacterial strains. The results revealed that methanolic extract showed maximum inhibition of 19.5 mm against Klebsiella pneumoniae and 20.33 mm against Bacillus cereus while water extract showed maximum inhibition of 18.16 mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 19.33 mm against B. cereus. On the other hand, Au nanoparticles showed maximum inhibition of 18.5 mm against Escherichia coli.

A Chromosome-level Genome Assembly of Wild Castor Provides New Insights into its Adaptive Evolution in Tropical Desert.

Wild castor grows in the high-altitude tropical desert of the African Plateau, a region known for high ultraviolet radiation, strong light, and extremely dry condition. To investigate the potential genetic basis of adaptation to both highland and tropical deserts, we generated a chromosome-level genome sequence assembly of the wild castor accession WT05, with a genome size of 316 Mb, a scaffold N50 of 31.93 Mb, and a contig N50 of 8.96 Mb, respectively. Compared with cultivated castor and other Euphorbiaceae species, the wild castor exhibits positive selection and gene family expansion for genes involved in DNA repair, photosynthesis, and abiotic stress responses. Genetic variations associated with positive selection were identified in several key genes, such as LIG1, DDB2, and RECG1, involved in nucleotide excision repair. Moreover, a study of genomic diversity among wild and cultivated accessions revealed genomic regions containing selection signatures associated with the adaptation to extreme environments. The identification of the genes and alleles with selection signatures provides insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying the adaptation of wild castor to the high-altitude tropical desert and would facilitate direct improvement of modern castor varieties.

The effects of plant growth substances on the oil content and fatty acid composition of Ricinus communis L.: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Ricinus communis L. (castor bean) is valued for its oil and the performance of oil is closely related to its fatty acid composition. Thus, producing oil in vitro with favored fatty acid profiles is a promising research area and may also offer industrial opportunities. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In line with this, the total amount of oil and the fatty acid composition of the samples, which were endosperm and calli obtained by treatment of various doses of plant growth regulators were determined. RESULTS: Results showed that the type and amount of the plant growth regulator used in the media affect the fatty acid composition. In detail, the biggest change was shown by Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA), in general, using the plant growth regulators at 5 mg L-1, instead of 20 mg L-1, was found to have induced larger differentiations. The effect of a natural plant growth regulator (IAA) on fatty acid profiles was bigger than the synthetic ones (NAA, 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid, and 2,4 D, 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid). The media containing 5 mg L-1 of NAA, 20 mg L-1 of NAA, 20 mg L-1 of 2,4 D, or 5 mg L-1 of 2,4 D gave similar results.

Genomic regions associated with resistance to Fusarium wilt in castor identified through linkage and association mapping approaches.

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ricini, is the most destructive disease in castor. Host plant resistance is the best strategy for the management of wilt. Identification of molecular markers linked to wilt resistance will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of breeding for wilt resistance. In the present study, genomic regions linked to wilt resistance were mapped using a bi-parental population of 185 F6-RILs and a genetically diverse panel of 300 germplasm accessions. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis performed using a linkage map consisting of 1090 SNP markers identified a major QTL on chromosome 7 with an LOD score of 18.7, which explained 44% of the phenotypic variance. The association mapping performed using genotypic data from 3465 SNP loci revealed 69 significant associations (p < 1 × 10-4) for wilt resistance. The phenotypic variance explained by the individual SNPs ranged from 0.063 to 0.210. The QTL detected in the bi-parental mapping population was not identified in the association analysis. Thus, the results of this study indicate the possibility of vast gene diversity for Fusarium wilt resistance in castor.

Identification of Glutathione Peroxidase Gene Family in Ricinus communis and Functional Characterization of RcGPX4 in Cold Tolerance.

Glutathione peroxidases (GPXs) protect cells against damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and play key roles in regulating many biological processes. Here, five GPXs were identified in the Ricinus communis genome. Phylogenetic analysis displayed that the GPXs were categorized into five groups. Conserved domain and gene structure analyses showed that the GPXs from different plant species harbored four highly similar motifs and conserved exon-intron arrangement patterns, indicating that their structure and function may have been conserved during evolution. Several abiotic stresses and hormone-responsive cis-acting elements existed in the promoters of the RcGPXs. The expression profiles indicated that the RcGPXs varied substantially, and some RcGPXs were coordinately regulated under abiotic stresses. Overexpression of RcGPX4 in Arabidopsis enhanced cold tolerance at seed germination but reduced freezing tolerance at seedlings. The expression of abscisic acid (ABA) signaling genes (AtABI4 and AtABI5), ABA catabolism genes (AtCYP707A1 and AtCYP707A2), gibberellin acid (GA) catabolism gene (AtGA2ox7), and cytokinin (CTK)-inducible gene (AtARR6) was regulated in the seeds of transgenic lines under cold stress. Overexpression of RcGPX4 can disturb the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) homeostasis through the modulation of some antioxidant enzymes and compounds involved in the GSH-ascorbate cycle in transgenic plants. Additionally, RcGPX4 depended on the MAPK3-ICE1-C-repeat-binding factor (CBF)-COR signal transduction pathway and ABA-dependent pathway to negatively regulate the freezing tolerance of transgenic plants. This study provides valuable information for understanding the potential function of RcGPXs in regulating the abiotic stress responses of castor beans.

Cytocompatible cellulose nanofibers from invasive plant species Agave americana L. and Ricinus communis L.: a renewable green source of highly crystalline nanocellulose.

In this study, the fibers of invasive species Agave americana L. and Ricinus communis L. were successfully used for the first time as new sources to produce cytocompatible and highly crystalline cellulose nanofibers. Cellulose nanofibers were obtained by two methods, based on either alkaline or acid hydrolysis. The morphology, chemical composition, and crystallinity of the obtained materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) together with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The crystallinity indexes (CIs) of the cellulose nanofibers extracted from A. americana and R. communis were very high (94.1% and 92.7%, respectively). Biological studies evaluating the cytotoxic effects of the prepared cellulose nanofibers on human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cells were also performed. The nanofibers obtained using the two different extraction methods were all shown to be cytocompatible in the concentration range assayed (i.e., 0|‒|500 µg/mL). Our results showed that the nanocellulose extracted from A. americana and R. communis fibers has high potential as a new renewable green source of highly crystalline cellulose-based cytocompatible nanomaterials for biomedical applications.

Distillery wastewater detoxification and management through phytoremediation employing Ricinus communis L.

This study aimed to assess the phytoremediation potential of Ricinus communis L. for heavy metals remediation via rhizospheric bacterial activities for distillery wastewater detoxification and management. Results revealed that distillery wastewater contained high levels of metals and other physico-chemical pollution parameters that could cause environmental pollution and aquatic toxicity. The identified bacterium produced several plant growth-promoting compounds including siderophores, ligninolytic enzymes, and indole acetic acid that resulted in nutrient enhancement and improved mineralization of metals in the plants during stress conditions. The bioconcentration factor (BCF) of all the metals examined were > 1, which showed that these metals are accumulating in the root, shoot, and leaves of Ricinus communis L. Most of the metals are stablised in the roots but Pb, Cd and Zn were translocated more to the shoorts (TC>1). The ability of Ricinus communis L. to grow in metals-containing distillery wastewater and reduce heavy metals and organic contaminants suggests that it can be used to provide an effective treatment of distillery wastewater. The use of Ricinus communis L. is an eco-friendly tool for the reduction of organometallic contamination and protecting agricultural land.

Assisted phytostabilization of Pb-spiked soils amended with charcoal and banana compost and vegetated with Ricinus communis L. (Castor bean).

A greenhouse experiment was performed to elucidate the potency of Prosopis juliflora charcoal (PJC) and banana waste compost (BWC) to improve soil fertility and enhance plant growth rate. Plantlets of Ricinus communis were grown in 0, 400, and 800 mg kg-1 Pb-spiked soil ameliorated with P. juliflora charcoal and banana waste compost at 0, 5%, and 10% (w/w) for 60 days. PJC and BWC significantly (p < 0.05) increased plant growth parameters, that is, number of leaves, node number, plant height, and leaf diameter and reduced oxidative stress manifested by the lesser production of proline, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and malondialdehyde (MDA) with respect to control plants. Soil usage of PJC at 10% decreased the Pb accumulation by 61%, whereas BWC decreased Pb concentration in roots by 56% concerning control. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) showed high macro and microspores on the surface of charcoal while banana compost showed significant raise in the nutrient content (N, P, K, Zn, Ca, Fe, and Mg). Thermogravimetric (TG) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of banana compost showed enhanced molar convolution of carbohydrate composites and nitrogen content. These findings pave a clear understanding that PJC and BWC are recalcitrant for Pb phytotoxicity and can also be used as nutrient-rich composites for increased crop production.

Transcriptome analysis of salt stress responsiveness in the seedlings of wild and cultivated Ricinus communis L.

Soil salinity is one of the major environmental factors, influencing agricultural productivity of crops. As a non-edible and ideal oilseed crop, castor (Ricinus communis L.) has great industrial value in biofuel, but molecular mechanisms of salt stress regulation are still unknown. In this study, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for differential salt tolerance in two castor cultivar (wild castor : Y, cultivated castor 'Tongbi 5': Z) were identified. 12 libraries were sampled for Illumina high-throughput sequencing to consider 132,426 nonredundant unigenes and 31,221 gene loci. Multiple phytohormones and transcription factors (TFs) were correlated with salt-tolerance and differently enriched in these two genotypes. The type 2C protein phosphatases (PP2C) homologs were all upregulated under salt stress. Importantly, IAA (1), DELLA (1) and Jasmonate zim domain (JAZ) (1) were also identified and found to be differentially expressed. Based on the co-expressed module by regulatory networks and heatmap analysis, ERF/AP2, WRKY and bHLH families were prominently participate in high salt stress response of wild and cultivated castor. Finally, these results highlight that the hub DEGs and families were more accumulated in cultivated castor than those in wild castor, providing novel insights into the salinity adaptive mechanisms and genetic improvement in castor.

Cytocompatible cellulose nanofibers from invasive plant species Agave americana L. and Ricinus communis L.: a renewable green source of highly crystalline nanocellulose / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

In this study, the fibers of invasive species

Laying Diet Supplementation with Ricinus communis L. leaves and Evaluation of Productive Performance and Potential Modulation of Antioxidative Status.

This study evaluated the antioxidant capacity of Ricinus communis L. (RC) leaves and powder when used as a feed additive for laying hens. Results showed that the total phenolic content of the aqueous leaf extract of Ricinus communis L. (RCE) was 48.39 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per gram dry weight (DW). The flavonoid content was 9.76 mg quercetin dihydrate equivalent (QE)/g DW. Ferrous chelating activity was approximately 56.2% with an RCE concentration of 1 mg/mL; the highest chelating activity was 91.2% with 4 mg/mL extract. The reducing power of 1 mg/mL RC was 1.17 times better than 1 mg/mL butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). The Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) value of 12.5 mg/mL RCE was equivalent to 3.09 mg/mL Trolox. RCE (10 mg/mL) had a lipid oxidative inhibition capacity of 35.3%. A total of 80 ISA brown laying hens at twenty-nine weeks of age were randomly allocated into the control or 1 of 3 treatment groups; the latter received 0.5%, 1% or 2% of RC, respectively, for 12 weeks. Results showed that the RC supplementation improved the feed conversion rate and 0.5% RC generated the best results. Additionally, the egg yolk score was significantly increased in all RC-supplemented groups. Moreover, there was no significant difference in serum characteristics between the treatment groups. Serum antioxidant enzyme activity showed that superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased in the RC-supplemented groups relative to the control but was not significantly different. mRNA expression levels of the antioxidant regulatory genes GCLC, GST, HO-1, SOD1, and SOD2 were significantly increased with 2% RC supplementation. In summary, RC is a suitable feed additive for laying hens and the addition of 0.5% RC leaf powder resulted in the greatest benefits.

Phytoremediation potential of castor (Ricinus communis L.) in the soils of the abandoned copper mine in Northern Oman: implications for arid regions.

Contamination levels of copper (Cu) and other heavy metals are very high in the soils of the abandoned copper mine of Lasail in the north western Hajar Mountains of Oman. Environment-friendly approaches such as phytoremediation are needed to clean and rehabilitate these areas to their natural status. In the present study, the phytoremediation potential of castor, Ricinus communis L., was evaluated for copper and other heavy metals by growing it in different types of Cu-mine soils and slags. Growth parameters such as shoot height and biomass weight (fresh and dry) were evaluated. Castor showed a high tolerance index (TI) in Cu-mine soils. The highest TI was calculated for the fresh mass of castor shoots in E soil with a percentage of 405.99. The translocation factor (TF) of all the metals except boron (B) and manganese (Mn) was < 1, which reveals that these metals are stabilised in the root portion of the castor. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) value < 1 for Cu indicates that castor is not a hyperaccumulator plant for copper. In addition to high concentrations of copper, other heavy metals such as arsenic (As), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) were observed in the roots than in shoots. Castor grown in slag accumulated Cu in the shoots, roots, and entire plant with the values of 25, 1184, and 1209 mg kg-1, respectively. Similarly, castor cultivated in A soil accumulated 18, 901, and 919 mg kg-1 of copper in shoots, roots, and entire plant, respectively. The calculated plant effective number (PENt) indicated the need for 253 castor plants to remove 1 g of Cu from E soil. The ability of castor to grow well in Cu-mine soils suggests that it can be used for the removal of Cu and other heavy metals. Additionally, the shoot portion could potentially be used for oil production since the phytoaccumulation levels of heavy metal concentration in the shoots were below the standard toxicity limits.

Coupling phytoremediation efficiency and detoxification to assess the role of P in the Cu tolerant Ricinus communis L.

Phosphorous (P) fertilization is an important agronomic practice, but its role in enhancing phytoremediation efficacy and mediating detoxification has rarely been reported in environmental remediation studies. In this study, a pot experiment was undertaken to assess: firstly, the effect of P on phytoextraction of Cu by Ricinus communis L.; secondly, the potential mechanisms by differentiating the effects of the plant from that of P fertilizer (Ca(H2PO4)2); and thirdly, the role of P in physiological detoxification. Results showed that the application of P fertilizer significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased the plant biomass as well as the Cu concentrations in plant tissues. This enhanced the phytoremediation efficiency represented by the total Cu extraction (up to 121.3 µg Cu plant-1). Phosphorous (P) fertilizer led to a negligible decline in soil pH (0.2 units) but significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced the concentrations of soil available in Cu and Fe, due to the formation of insoluble Cu/Fe-phosphate precipitates. Nevertheless, P fertilizer still improved the accumulation and extraction of Cu by R. communis, most likely attributable to the Fe-deficiency induced by applied P fertilizer. Moreover, the application of P fertilizer revealed a significant reduction in MDA, and a profound (p ≤ 0.05) elevation in the amount of photosynthetic pigments, GSH and AsA, along with the enhanced activities of antioxidative enzymes (SOD, POD, and CAT). In this way, Cu toxicity was alleviated. P fertilizers not only enhance the phytoremediation efficiency of Cu-contaminated soils by R. communis, but they also facilitate detoxification, which improves our understanding of the role of P in phytoremediation technologies.

Intake, digestibility, ingestive behavior, production, and composition of goat milk supplemented with detoxified castor bean meal added urea as a replacement of soybean meal.

This study evaluated the castor bean meal detoxified with calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] added urea replacing soybean meal in the diet of lactating goats from milk production and composition, intake, digestibility, and ingestive behavior. Eight Alpine multiparous goats weighting 44.3 ± 5.3 kg and at approximately 60 days of lactation were confined and randomly distributed in 4 × 4 double Latin squares, with four inclusion levels of detoxified castor meal: control (0), 25, 50, and 75 g/kg dry matter (DM) total. Detoxified castor bean meal replacing soybean meal (P > 0.05) in goats diet did not affect intake and digestibility of DM, crude protein, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), total carbohydrates, non-fibrous carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients, times spent for eating, and efficiency ratios of rumination and eating. However, the times spent for rumination and idling showed a quadratic trend decrease (P < 0.01) from the level of 50.0-g/kg DM. The milk production, and the milk production correction showed a quadratic trend increase and feeding efficiency a quadratic decrease (P = 0.03) due inclusion of detoxified castor bean meal replacing soybean meal up to the level of 25.0 g/kg. The fat, protein, lactose, total solids, nonfat solids, and milk urea nitrogen content (g/day) presented a quadratic increase (P < 0.05) by detoxified castor meal inclusion. Detoxified castor bean meal added urea in the Alpine goats diet could be included up to the 25.0 g/kg level replacing soybean meal in the diet because improve milk production and composition and feeding efficiency of goats without negatively effect on intake, digestibility and ingestive behavior.

Metabolic stress and reproductive features in post-partum goats supplemented for a long period with detoxified castor meal as the source of dietary nitrogen / Estresse metabólico e características reprodutivas em cabras pós-parto suplementadas por longo período com mamona desintoxicada como fonte de nitrogênio na dieta

This study evaluated the effect of detoxified castor meal on the reproductive performance, metabolic stress, milk production, and kid development in peripartum goats. The diet of the animals were with (DCM, n= 20) or without (WDCM, n= 21) detoxified castor meal during the entire gestation and until weaning, 60 days post-birth. No differences were observed in the gestation period, litter size, rate of multiple births, and mortality between the two groups. The postpartum plasma concentrations of progesterone remained below 1ng/mL in all animals, thus, confirming the absence of active corpora lutea. The thickness of sternum adipose tissue and loin area, levels of urea and cholesterol, milk production, and daily weight gain in the kids were low in the DCM group when compared to those in the WDCM group (P< 0.05). To conclude, the use of detoxified castor meal in peripartum goats resulted in lower level of performance in the kids because of reductions in the amount of milk received from their mothers during lactation. In addition, the diet containing detoxified castor meals was not efficient in recovering from the loss of stored body reserves able to initiate the recovery of the cyclic activity of the goats.(AU)

Este estudo avaliou o efeito da torta de mamona desintoxicada na reprodução, no estresse metabólico, na produção de leite e no desenvolvimento de cabritos no periparto de cabras. Um grupo foi alimentado com torta de mamona (DCM, n=20), e o outro (WDCM, n=21) não recebeu tal suplemento , durante a gestação até o desmame, 60 dias pós-parto. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas no período de gestação, no número de cabritos, na taxa de partos múltiplos e na mortalidade entre os dois grupos. Em todos os animais, a concentração plasmática de progesterona ficou abaixo de 1ng/mL, confirmando a ausência de atividade lútea. A espessura da gordura subcutânea do esterno e da área de olho-de-lombo, a concentração de ureia e colesterol, a produção de leite e o ganho de peso dos cabritos foram menores no grupo DCM (P<0,05). Conclui-se que o uso de torta de mamona desintoxicada no periparto de cabra resultou em cabritos mais leves devido à redução na produção de leite das matrizes e as cabras não retornaram ao cio, pois não recuperaram a massa corporal.(AU)

Influence of nitrogen forms and application rates on the phytoextraction of copper by castor bean (Ricinus communis L.).

Fertilization is an important agricultural strategy for enhancing the efficiency of phytoremediation in copper (Cu)-contaminated soils. In this study, the effects of nitrogen (N) forms, including ammonium (NH4+-N) and nitrate (NO3--N), on the growth, translocation, and accumulation of Cu in the tissues of Ricinus communis L. were investigated in pot and hydroponic experiments. The results demonstrated that higher biomass and N contents in plants were obtained when N was supplied as NO3--N rather than NH4+-N. Application of N increased the Cu content in the roots of R. communis, with a higher content after NH4+-N (53.10-64.20 mg kg-1) than NO3--N (37.62-53.75 mg kg-1) treatment. On the contrary, the levels of Cu translocation factors were much higher in NO3--fed plants (0.34-0.45) than in NH4+-fed plants (0.28-0.38). The suggested amount of N for fertilizer application is 225 kg hm-2, which resulted in the highest Cu content in R. communis and optimal plant growth. As the main Cu-binding site, root cell walls accumulated less Cu in plants treated with NH4+-N compared with NO3--N. Additionally, NH4+-N induced a higher malondialdehyde content and more severe root damage compared with NO3--N. In the leaf, a larger number of black granules, which could be protein and starch grains involved in the detoxification of Cu in R. communis, were present after NH4+-N than NO3--N treatment. These results illustrate that N forms are especially important for Cu translocation and accumulation and that immobilization and transformation of Cu in roots were improved more by NH4+-N than NO3--N. In conclusion, N fertilizers containing the appropriate forms applied at suitable rates may enhance the biomass and Cu accumulation of R. communis and thereby the remediation efficiency of Cu-contaminated soils.