LC-MS/MS, GC-MS and molecular docking analysis for phytochemical fingerprint and bioactivity of Beta vulgaris L.

The plants that we consume in our daily diet and use as a risk preventer against many diseases have many biological and pharmacological activities. In this study, the phytochemical fingerprint and biological activities of Beta vulgaris L. leaf extract, which are widely consumed in the Black Sea region, were investigated. The leaf parts of the plant were dried in an oven at 35 °C and then ground into powder. The main constituents in B. vulgaris were identified by LC-MS/MS and GC-MS analyses. Phenolic content, betaxanthin and betacyanin levels were investigated in the extracts obtained using three different solvents. The biological activity of the extract was investigated by anti-microbial, anti-mutagenic, anti-proliferative and anti-diabetic activity tests. Anti-diabetic activity was investigated by in vitro enzyme inhibition and in-silico molecular docking was performed to confirm this activity. In the LC-MS analysis of B. vulgaris extract, a major proportion of p_coumaric acid, vannilin, protecatechuic aldehyde and sesamol were detected, while the major essential oils determined by GC-MS analysis were hexahydrofarnesyl acetone and phytol. Among the solvents used, the highest extraction efficiency of 2.4% was obtained in methanol extraction, and 36.2 mg of GAE/g phenolic substance, 5.1 mg/L betacyanin and 4.05 mg/L betaxanthin were determined in the methanol extract. Beta vulgaris, which exhibited broad-spectrum anti-microbial activity by forming a zone of inhibition against all tested bacteria, exhibited anti-mutagenic activity in the range of 35.9-61.8% against various chromosomal abnormalities. Beta vulgaris extract, which did not exhibit mutagenic, sub-lethal or lethal effects, exhibited anti-proliferative activity by reducing proliferation in Allium root tip cells by 21.7%. 50 mg/mL B. vulgaris extract caused 58.9% and 55.9% inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase activity, respectively. The interactions of coumaric acid, vanniline, hexahydrofarnesyl acetone and phytol, which are major compounds in phytochemical content, with α-amylase and α-glucosidase were investigated by in silico molecular docking and interactions between molecules via various amino acids were determined. Binding energies between the tested compounds and α-amylase were obtained in the range of - 4.3 kcal/mol and - 6.1 kcal/mol, while for α-glucosidase it was obtained in the range of - 3.7 kcal/mol and - 5.7 kcal/mol. The biological activities of B. vulgaris are closely related to the active compounds it contains, and therefore studies investigating the phytochemical contents of plants are very important. Safe and non-toxic plant extracts can help reduce the risk of various diseases, such as diabetes, and serve as an alternative or complement to current pharmaceutical practices.

Ecological characteristics of sugar beet plant and rhizosphere soil in response to high boron stress: A study of the remediation potential.

High boron (B) stress degrades the soil environment and reduces plant productivity. Sugar beet has a high B demand and potential for remediation of B-toxic soils. However, the mechanism regarding the response of sugar beet plants and rhizosphere soil microbiome to high B stress is not clear. In the potted soil experiment, we set different soil effective B environments (0.5, 5, 10, 30, 50, and 100 mg kg-1) to study the growth status of sugar beets under different B concentrations, as well as the characteristics of soil enzyme activity and microbial community changes. The results showed that sugar beet growth was optimal at 5 mg kg-1 of B. Exceeding this concentration the tolerance index decreased. The injury threshold EC20 was reached at an available B concentration of 35.8 mg kg-1. Under the treatment of 100 mg kg-1, the B accumulation of sugar beet reached 0.22 mg plant-1, and the tolerance index was still higher than 60%, which had not yet reached the lethal concentration of sugar beet. The abundance of Acidobacteriota, Chloroflexi and Patescibacteria increased, which was beneficial to the resistance of sugar beet to high B stress. In summary, under high B stress sugar beet had strong tolerance, enhanced capacity for B uptake and enrichment, and changes in soil microbial community structure. This study provides a theoretical basis for clarifying the mechanism of sugar beet resistance to high B stress and soil remediation.

Nephroprotective and Anti-Diabetic Potential of Beta vulgaris L. Root (Beetroot) Methanolic Extract in a Rat Model of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background and Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease associated with several complications, including that of kidney disease. Plant-based dietary products have shown promise in mitigating these effects to improve kidney function and prevent tissue damage. This study assessed the possible favorable effects of beetroot extract (BE) in improving kidney function and preventing tissue damage in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was induced using a low dose of streptozotocin (STZ). Both control and rats with pre-established T2DM were divided into six groups (each consisting of eight rats). All treatments were given by gavage and continued for 12 weeks. Fasting blood glucose levels, serum fasting insulin levels, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), serum triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, serum and urinary albumin, and creatinine and urea levels were measured. Apart from this, glutathione, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukine-6 in the kidney homogenates of all groups of rats were measured, and the histopathological evaluation of the kidney was also performed. Results: It was observed that treatment with BE increased body weight significantly (p ≤ 0.05) to be similar to that of control groups. Fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR levels, and lipid profile in the plasma of the pre-established T2DM rats groups decreased to p ≤ 0.05 in the BE-treated rats as the BE concentration increased. Treatment with BE also improved the renal levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, urinary albumin, and serum creatinine and urea levels. Unlike all other groups, only the kidney tissues of the T2DM + BE (500 mg/kg) rats group showed normal kidney tissue structure, which appears to be similar to those found in the kidney tissues of the control rats groups. Conclusion: we found that streptozotocin administration disturbed markers of kidney dysfunction. However, Beta vulgaris L. root extract reversed these changes through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic mechanisms.

Research on phytotoxicity assessment and photosynthetic characteristics of nicosulfuron residues on Beta vulgaris L.

Nicosulfuron is a common herbicide used to control weeds in maize fields. In northeast China, sugar beet is often grown as a subsequent crop after maize, and its frequently suffers from soil nicosulfuron residue damage, but the related toxicity evaluation and photosynthetic physiological mechanisms are not clear. Therefore, we experimented to evaluate the impacts of nicosulfuron residues on beet growth, photochemical properties, and antioxidant defense system. The results showed that when the nicosulfuron residue content reached 0.3 µg kg-1, it inhibited the growth of sugar beet. When it reached 36 µg kg-1 (GR50), the growth stagnated. Compared to the control group, a nicosulfuron residue of 36 µg kg-1 significantly decreased beet plant height (70.93 %), leaf area (91.85 %), dry weights of shoot (70.34 %) and root (32.70 %). It also notably reduced the potential photochemical activity (Fv/Fo) by 12.41 %, the light energy absorption performance index (PIabs) by 46.09 %, and light energy absorption (ABS/CSm) by 6.56 %. It decreased the capture (TRo/CSm) by 9.30 % and transferred energy (ETo/CSm) by 16.13 % per unit leaf cross-section while increasing the energy flux of heat dissipation (DIo/CSm) by 22.85 %. This ultimately impaired the photochemical capabilities of PSI and PSII, leading to a reduction in photosynthetic performance. Furthermore, nicosulfuron increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content while decreasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities. In conclusion, this research clarified the toxicity risk level, lethal dose, and harm mechanism of the herbicide nicosulfuron residue. It provides a theoretical foundation for the rational use of herbicides in agricultural production and sugar beet planting management.

Involvement of Sep38ß in the Insecticidal Activity of Bacillus thuringiensis against Beet Armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera).

The p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are associated with insect immunity, tissue repair, and the insecticidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Here, a p38 MAPK family gene (Sep38ß) was identified from Spodoptera exigua. Among the developmental stages, the transcription level of Sep38ß was the highest in egg, followed by that in prepupa and pupa. Sep38ß expression peaked in Malpighian tubules and the hemolymph of fifth instar larvae. Knockdown of Sep38ß or injection of SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor) significantly downregulated the SeDUOX expression and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the midgut, accounting for deterioration of the midgut to scavenge pathogens and enhancement of Bt insecticidal activity. In conclusion, all the results demonstrate that Sep38ß regulates the immune-related ROS level in the insect midgut, which suppresses the insecticidal activity of Bt against S. exigua by 17-22%. Our study highlights that Sep38ß is essential for insect immunity and the insecticidal activity of Bt to S. exigua and is a potential target for pest control.

Beta vulgaris-derived exosome-like nanovesicles alleviate chronic doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting ferroptosis.

Dose-dependent heart failure is a major complication of the clinical use of doxorubicin (Dox), one of the most potent chemotherapeutic agents. Effective adjuvant therapy is required to prevent Dox-induced cardiotoxicity. Currently, plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicle (PELNV) has revealed their salubrious antioxidant and immunological regulating actions in various disease models. In this study, we isolated, purified and characterized Beta vulgaris-derived exosome-like nanovesicle (BELNV). Dox or normal saline was given to HL-1 cells (3 µM) and 8-week C57BL/6N mice (5 mg/kg bodyweight per week for 4 weeks) to establish the in vitro and in vivo model of Dox-induced cardiotoxicity. Administration of BELNV significantly alleviated chronic Dox-induced cardiotoxicity in terms of echocardiographic and histological results. A reduced malondialdehyde (MDA), increased ratio of glutathione (GSH) to oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and levels of system xc- and glutathione peroxidase 4 were observed, indicating that DOX-stimulated ferroptosis was reversed by BELNV. Besides, the safety of BELNV was also validated since no liver, spleen, and kidney toxicity induced by BELNV was observed. These findings provide evidence that BELNV may act as a novel therapeutic biomaterial for patients undergoing adverse effects of Dox, at least partly mediated by inhibiting Dox-induced ferroptosis.

Genome-wide characterization of the xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase family genes and their response to plant hormone in sugar beet.

Xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolases (XTHs) play a crucial role in plant growth and development. However, their functional response to phytohormone in sugar beet still remains obscure. In this study, we identified 30 putative BvXTH genes in the sugar beet genome. Phylogenetic and evolutionary relationship analysis revealed that they were clustered into three groups and have gone through eight tandem duplication events under purifying selection. Gene structure and motif composition analysis demonstrated that they were highly conserved and all contained one conserved glycoside hydrolase family 16 domain (Glyco_hydro_16) and one xyloglucan endotransglycosylase C-terminus (XET_C) domain. Transcriptional expression analysis exhibited that all BvXTHs were ubiquitously expressed in leaves, root hairs and tuberous roots, and most of them were up-regulated by brassinolide (BR), jasmonic acid (JA), abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA3). Further mutant complementary experiment demonstrated that expression of BvXTH17 rescued the retarded growth phenotype of xth22, an Arabidopsis knock out mutant of AtXTH22. The findings in our work provide fundamental information on the structure and evolutionary relationship of the XTH family genes in sugar beet, and reveal the potential function of BvXTH17 in plant growth and hormone response.

Transcriptome Dynamics of Brassica juncea Leaves in Response to Omnivorous Beet Armyworm (Spodoptera exigua, Hübner).

Cruciferous plants manufacture glucosinolates (GSLs) as special and important defense compounds against insects. However, how insect feeding induces glucosinolates in Brassica to mediate insect resistance, and how plants regulate the strength of anti-insect defense response during insect feeding, remains unclear. Here, mustard (Brassica juncea), a widely cultivated Brassica plant, and beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua), an economically important polyphagous pest of many crops, were used to analyze the changes in GSLs and transcriptome of Brassica during insect feeding, thereby revealing the plant-insect interaction in Brassica plants. The results showed that the content of GSLs began to significantly increase after 48 h of herbivory by S. exigua, with sinigrin as the main component. Transcriptome analysis showed that a total of 8940 DEGs were identified in mustard challenged with beet armyworm larvae. The functional enrichment results revealed that the pathways related to the biosynthesis of glucosinolate and jasmonic acid were significantly enriched by upregulated DEGs, suggesting that mustard might provide a defense against herbivory by inducing JA biosynthesis and then promoting GSL accumulation. Surprisingly, genes regulating JA catabolism and inactivation were also activated, and both JA signaling repressors (JAZs and JAMs) and activators (MYCs and NACs) were upregulated during herbivory. Taken together, our results indicate that the accumulation of GSLs regulated by JA signaling, and the regulation of active and inactive JA compound conversion, as well as the activation of JA signaling repressors and activators, collectively control the anti-insect defense response and avoid over-stunted growth in mustard during insect feeding.

Effect of Extraction Methods on the Antioxidant Potential and Cytotoxicity of the Combined Ethanolic Extracts of Daucus carota L., Beta vulgaris L., Phyllanthus emblica L. and Lycopersicon esculentum against Gastric Adenocarcinoma Cells.

Frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables in the daily diet may alleviate the risk of developing chronic diseases. Daucus carota L. (carrot), Beta vulgaris L. (beetroot) Phyllanthus emblica L. (amla), and Lycopersicon esculentum M (tomatoes) are traditionally consumed functional foods that contain a high concentration of antioxidants, ascorbic acid, polyphenols, and numerous phytochemicals. This study assessed how three distinct preparation methods affect the phenolic, flavonoid, carotenoid, and ascorbic acid contents, antioxidant level, and cytotoxicity of the combined fruit extract. The fruit samples were taken in the ratio of carrot (6): beetroot (2): tomato (1.5): amla (0.5) and processed into a lyophilized slurry (LS) extract, lyophilized juice (LJ) extract, and hot-air oven-dried (HAO) extract samples. The sample extracts were assessed for their phytoconstituent concentrations and antioxidant and cytotoxic potential. The total phenolic content in LS, LJ, and HAO extracts was 171.20 ± 0.02, 120.73 ± 0.02, and 72.05 ± 0.01 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g, respectively and the total flavonoid content was 23.635 ± 0.003, 20.754 ± 0.005, and 18.635 ± 0.005 mg quercetin equivalent/100 g, respectively. Similarly, total ascorbic acid content, carotenoids, and antioxidant potential were higher in the LS and LJ extracts than in HAO. Overall, the LS extract had a substantially higher concentration of phytochemicals and antioxidants, as well as higher cytotoxic potential, compared to the LJ and HAO extracts. The LS extract was tested in the MKN-45 human gastric cancer cell line to demonstrate its effective antioxidant potential and cytotoxicity. Hence, lyophilization (freezing) based techniques are more effective than heat-based techniques in preserving the phytoconstituents and their antioxidant and cytotoxic potential.

Alternative methods for RuBisCO extraction from sugar beet waste: A comparative approach of ultrasound and high voltage electrical discharge.

Ultrasound (US) and high voltage electric discharge (HVED) with water as a green solvent represent promising novel non-thermal techniques for protein extraction from sugar beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris var. altissima) leaves. Compared to HVED, US proved to be a better alternative method for total soluble protein extraction with the aim of obtaining high yield of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase enzyme (RuBisCO). Regardless of the solvent temperature, the highest protein yields were observed at 100% amplitude and 9 min treatment time (84.60 ± 3.98 mg/gd.m. with cold and 96.75 ± 4.30 mg/gd.m. with room temperature deionized water). US treatments at 75% amplitude and 9 min treatment time showed the highest abundance of RuBisCO obtained by immunoblotting assay. The highest protein yields recorded among HVED-treated samples were observed at a voltage of 20 kV and a treatment time of 3 min, disregarding the used gas (33.33 ± 1.06 mg/gd.m. with argon and 34.89 ± 1.59 mg/gd.m. with nitrogen as injected gas), while the highest abundance of the RuBisCO among HVED-treated samples was noticed at 25 kV voltage and 3 min treatment time. By optimizing the US and HVED parameters, it is possible to affect the solubility and improve the isolation of RuBisCO, which could then be purified and implemented into new or already existing functional products.

Nuclear DNA segments homologous to mitochondrial DNA are obstacles for detecting heteroplasmy in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.).

Heteroplasmy, the coexistence of multiple mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences in a cell, is well documented in plants. Next-generation sequencing technology (NGS) has made it feasible to sequence entire genomes. Thus, NGS has the potential to detect heteroplasmy; however, the methods and pitfalls in heteroplasmy detection have not been fully investigated and identified. One obstacle for heteroplasmy detection is the sequence homology between mitochondrial-, plastid-, and nuclear DNA, of which the influence of nuclear DNA segments homologous to mtDNA (numt) need to be minimized. To detect heteroplasmy, we first excluded nuclear DNA sequences of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) line EL10 from the sugar beet mtDNA sequence. NGS reads were obtained from single plants of sugar beet lines NK-195BRmm-O and NK-291BRmm-O and mapped to the unexcluded mtDNA regions. More than 1000 sites exhibited intra-individual polymorphism as detected by genome browsing analysis. We focused on a 309-bp region where 12 intra-individual polymorphic sites were closely linked to each other. Although the existence of DNA molecules having variant alleles at the 12 sites was confirmed by PCR amplification from NK-195BRmm-O and NK-291BRmm-O, these variants were not always called by six variant-calling programs, suggesting that these programs are inappropriate for intra-individual polymorphism detection. When we changed the nuclear DNA reference, a numt absent from EL10 was found to include the 309-bp region. Genetic segregation of an F2 population from NK-195BRmm-O x NK-291BRmm-O supported the numt origin of the variant alleles. Using four references, we found that numt detection exhibited reference dependency, and extreme polymorphism of numts exists among sugar beet lines. One of the identified numts absent from EL10 is also associated with another intra-individual polymorphic site in NK-195mm-O. Our data suggest that polymorphism among numts is unexpectedly high within sugar beets, leading to confusion about the true degree of heteroplasmy.

Unique Features of the m6A Methylome and Its Response to Salt Stress in the Roots of Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris).

Salt is one of the most important environmental factors in crop growth and development. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is an epigenetic modification that regulates plant-environment interaction at transcriptional and translational levels. Sugar beet is a salt-tolerant sugar-yielding crop, but how m6A modification affects its response to salt stress remains unknown. In this study, m6A-seq was used to explore the role of m6A modification in response to salt stress in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris). Transcriptome-wide m6A methylation profiles and physiological responses to high salinity were investigated in beet roots. After treatment with 300 mM NaCl, the activities of peroxidase and catalase, the root activity, and the contents of Na+, K+, and Ca2+ in the roots were significantly affected by salt stress. Compared with the control plants, 6904 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 566 differentially methylated peaks (DMPs) were identified. Association analysis revealed that 243 DEGs contained DMP, and 80% of these DEGs had expression patterns that were negatively correlated with the extent of m6A modification. Further analysis verified that m6A methylation may regulate the expression of some genes by controlling their mRNA stability. Functional analysis revealed that m6A modifications primarily affect the expression of genes involved in energy metabolism, transport, signal transduction, transcription factors, and cell wall organization. This study provides evidence that a post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism mediates gene expression during salt stress by affecting the stability of mRNA in the root.

Beet mosaic virus expression of a betalain transcription factor allows visual virus tracking in Beta vulgaris.

In the field of plant virology, the usage of reverse genetic systems has been reported for multiple purposes. One is understanding virus-host interaction by labelling viral cDNA clones with fluorescent protein genes to allow visual virus tracking throughout a plant, albeit this visualization depends on technical devices. Here we report the first construction of an infectious cDNA full-length clone of beet mosaic virus (BtMV) that can be efficiently used for Agrobacterium-mediated leaf inoculation with high infection rate in Beta vulgaris, being indistinguishable from the natural virus isolate regarding symptom development and vector transmission. Furthermore, the BtMV clone was tagged with the genes for the monomeric red fluorescent protein or the Beta vulgaris BvMYB1 transcription factor, which activates the betalain biosynthesis pathway. The heterologous expression of BvMYB1 results in activation of betalain biosynthesis genes in planta, allowing visualization of the systemic BtMV spread with the naked eye as red pigmentation emerging throughout beet leaves. In the case of BtMV, the BvMYB1 marker system is stable over multiple mechanical host passages, allows qualitative as well as quantitative virus detection and offers an excellent opportunity to label viruses in plants of the order Caryophyllales, allowing an in-depth investigation of virus-host interactions on the whole plant level.

Proteomics Approach to Differentiate Protein Extraction Methods in Sugar Beet Leaves.

Interest in alternative plant-based protein sources is continuously growing. Sugar beet leaves have the potential to satisfy that demand due to their high protein content. They are considered as agricultural waste and utilizing them as protein sources can bring them back to the food chain. In this study, isoelectric-point-precipitation, heat-coagulation, ammonium-sulfate precipitation, high-pressure-assisted isoelectric-point precipitation, and high-pressure-assisted heat coagulation methods were used to extract proteins from sugar beet leaves. A mass spectrometry-based proteomic approach was used for comprehensive protein characterization. The analyses yielded 817 proteins, the most comprehensive protein profile on sugar beet leaves to date. Although the total protein contents were comparable, there was a significant difference between the methods for low-abundance proteins. High-pressure-assisted methods showed elevated levels of proteins predominantly located in the chloroplast. Here we showed for the first time that the extraction/precipitation methods may result in different protein profiles that potentially affect the physical and nutritional properties of functional products.

Metabolic Processes and Biological Macromolecules Defined the Positive Effects of Protein-Rich Biostimulants on Sugar Beet Plant Development.

Protein-based biostimulants (PBBs) have a positive effect on plant development, although the biological background for this effect is not well understood. Here, hydrolyzed wheat gluten (HWG) and potato protein film (PF) in two levels (1 and 2 g/kg soil) and in two different soils (low and high nutrient; LNC and HNC) were used as PBBs. The effect of these PBBs on agronomic traits, sugars, protein, and peptides, as well as metabolic processes, were evaluated on sugar beet in comparison with no treatment (control) and treatment with nutrient solution (NS). The results showed a significant growth enhancement of the plants using HWG and PF across the two soils. Sucrose and total sugar content in the roots were high in NS-treated plants and correlated to root growth in HNC soil. Traits related to protein composition, including nitrogen, peptide, and RuBisCO contents, were enhanced in PBB-treated plants (mostly for HWG and PF at 2 g/kg soil) by 100% and >250% in HNC and LNC, respectively, compared to control. The transcriptomic analysis revealed that genes associated with ribosomes and photosynthesis were upregulated in the leaf samples of plants treated with either HWG or PP compared to the control. Furthermore, genes associated with the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites were largely down-regulated in root samples of HWG or PF-treated plants. Thus, the PBBs enhanced protein-related traits in the plants through a higher transcription rate of genes related to protein- and photosynthesis, which resulted in increased plant growth, especially when added in certain amounts (2 g/kg soil). However, sucrose accumulation in the roots of sugar beet seemed to be related to the easy availability of nitrogen.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of SUT gene family members in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.).

Sucrose transporters (SUTs) play an important role in the transmembrane transport and distribution of sucrose, and their activity has an important impact on plant growth and crop yield. In this study, the SUT gene family was identified in the whole beet genome using bioinformatics methods, and gene characteristics, subcellular localization prediction, phylogenetic evolution, promoter cis-elements and expression patterns were systematically analyzed. A total of 9 SUT gene family members were identified from in beet genome and divided into 3 different groups (group 1, group 2, and Group 3), which were unevenly distributed on 4 chromosomes. Most SUT family members contained photoresponsive and hormone-regulated response elements. Subcellular localization prediction showed that the BvSUT genes are all located in the inner membrane, and most of the terms identified through GO enrichment analysis are classified as "membrane" related. The results of qRT-PCR showed that the expression level of the BvSUT gene was significantly higher in the tuber enlargement stage (100-140 d) than in other stages. This study is the first to analyze the BvSUT gene family in sugar beet, and it provides a theoretical basis for the functional exploration and application of SUT genes in crop improvement, especially in sugar crops.

Depletion of reactive oxygen species induced by beetroot (Beta vulgaris) extract leads to apoptosis-like death in Cronobacter sakazakii.

This research aimed to disclose the antibacterial activity of beetroot extract (Beta vulgaris) against Cronobacter sakazakii and its possible mechanisms. We evaluated its antibacterial activity by measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and time-kill kinetics. We also evaluated the intracellular ATP levels, bacterial apoptosis-like death (ALD), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels to reveal the possible antibacterial mechanisms. Our results showed that the MIC of beetroot extract against C. sakazakii was 25 mg/mL and C. sakazakii (approximately 8 log cfu/mL) was completely inhibited after treatment with 2 MIC of beetroot extract for 3 h. Beetroot extract reduced intracellular ATP levels and facilitated characteristics of ALD in C. sakazakii, such as membrane depolarization, increased intracellular Ca2+ levels, phosphatidylserine externalization, caspase-like protein activation, and DNA fragmentation. Additionally, and different from most bacterial ALD caused by the accumulation of ROS, beetroot extract reduced the intracellular ROS levels in C. sakazakii. Our experimental data provide a rationale for further research of bacterial ALD and demonstrate that beetroot extract can inhibit C. sakazakii in food processing environments.

Insights into physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying efficient utilization of boron in different boron efficient Beta vulgaris L. varieties.

Boron (B) deficiency and consequent limitation of plant yield and quality, particularly of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) has emerged as a maior problem,which is exacerbating due to cultivar dependent variability in B deficiency tolerance. Pertinently, the current study was designed to elucidate the physiological and molecular mechanisms of B deficiency tolerance of sugar beet varieties KWS1197 (B-efficient variety) and KWS0143 (B-inefficient variety). A hydroponic experiment was conducted employing two B levels B0.1 (0.1 µM L-1 H3BO3, deficiency) and B50 (50 µM L-1 H3BO3, adequacy). Boron deficiency greatly inhibited root elongation and dry matter accumulation; however, formation of lateral roots stimulated and average root diameter was increased. Results exhibited that by up-regulating the expression of NIP5-1, NIP6-1, and BOR2, and suppressing the expression of BOR4, cultivar KWS1197, in contrast to KWS0143, managed to transfer sufficient amount of B to the aboveground plant parts, facilitating its effective absorption and utilization. Accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also mellowed in KWS1197, as well as the oxidative damage to root cells via preservation of the antioxidant enzyme system. Additionally, the expression of essential enzymes for biosynthesis of phytohormone (PYR/PYL) and lignin (COMT, POX, and CCoAOMT) were found to be highly up-regulated in KWS1197. Deductively, through effective B absorption and transportation, balanced nutrient accumulation, and an activated antioxidant enzyme system, B-efficient cultivars may cope with B deficiency while retaining a superior cellular structure to enable root development.

Influence of fiber-rich coproducts on nutrient and energy digestibility and utilization in sows.

Coproducts from the food and agricultural industries can potentially be used to replace concentrated high-value grain crops in diets for sows. The coproducts are typically high in fiber and with diverse composition. Energy digestibility and utilization are generally high in sows fed fiber-rich feedstuff, but nitrogen digestion and utilization may be compromised. The purpose of this study was to quantify the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients and utilization of energy and nitrogen in empty nonlactating sows fed with six different fiber-rich coproducts (FRCP). Brewers spent grain (BSG), pea hull (PH), potato pulp (PP), pectin residue (PR), sugar beet pulp (SBP), and seed residue (SR) were mixed into a basal diet (BD) with as high an inclusion level as possible, or the BD was fed solely to eight empty sows in a Youden square incomplete cross-over design. The collection period consisted of a total collection period of 5 d, of which 2 d were in a respiration chamber. The sows had a gross energy (GE) intake between 28.5 and 42.3 MJ/d; greatest for the PH fed sows and lowest for the PP fed sows. The ATTD of dry matter, organic matter, GE, and N did not differ among the BD and the PH and SBP fed sows, while the ATTDs of all nutrients and energy were intermediate for PR and BSG lowest in SR fed sows (P < 0.01). The differences were caused by variation in digestible and metabolizable energy content of the FRCP ingredients, which was lowest for SR, intermediate for PR followed by BSG and greatest for SBP, PP, and PH (P < 0.001). Total heat production (HP) did not differ among treatments but the nonactivity related HP was highest in SR fed sows and lowest in PH and SBP fed sows (P < 0.05). Retention of energy was greatest following the PH and BD (7.42 and 2.19 MJ/d, respectively), intermediate for PP, SBP, and BSG fed sows (-0.22 to -0.69 MJ/d) and lowest for the PR and SR fed sows (-4.26 and -6.17 MJ/d, respectively; P < 0.001). From a sow feeding perspective, SBP and PH have the potential to partly replace high-value grain crops due to high ATTD of all nutrients and because sows can efficiently utilize energy and protein. In contrast, SR and PR show low ATTD of nutrients and energy, thereby compromising the nutritive value. PP and BSG also have the potential to be included in sow diets, but caution should be taken because of compromised N utilization and thereby increased environmental impact.

Coproducts from the food and agricultural industries have the potential to partly substitute grain in diets for empty nonlactating sows. Many coproducts are high in fiber and with diverse fiber composition. Some being easily fermented, while others are more resistant to fermentation giving rise to a large variation in the total tract digestibility and utilization of nutrients and energy. How well fiber-rich coproducts are digested and utilized is poorly understood in sows, but it is important to ensure an optimal energy and protein composition of the feed depending on the physiological stage of the sow. This study aimed to increase knowledge on the digestibility and utilization of six fiber-rich coproducts potentially to be included in the sow's feed. We found pea hulls and sugar beet pulp suitable as grain replacers due to their high total tract digestibility and no negative effects on energy and protein utilization. Potato pulp and brewers spent grain were also well suited. However, caution should be taken in balancing diets because of increased fecal and urine nitrogen output, which will increase environmental impact. Seed and pectin residues primarily serve as gut fill.