Comparative evaluation of milk proteins and oil-seed-cake-derived proteins extracted by chemical and biological methods for obesity management.

BACKGROUND: In light of the exponential rise in global population, there is a critical requirement to reduce food waste on a global scale. According to studies, agricultural wastes such as oil-seed cakes offer great nutritional value. Acid precipitation (A) and alkaline extraction methods (traditional methods) were used to extract protein from oil-seed cakes; however, both procedures are linked to decreased protein quality and quantity, which prompted the development of a novel strategy known as the biological/microbial/probiotic (B) method. Therefore, the present study aimed to highlight the optimal way of protein extraction from oil-seed cakes and the effect of extraction methods on protein efficacy against obesity. The outcomes were also compared with milk proteins. RESULTS: In vitro study provided evidence that proteins from both sources (plant and milk) suppressed adipogenesis and stimulated adipolysis in 3T3L-1 cells. For the in vivo study, mice were fed with different protein extracts: soya protein preparation (SPP), ground protein preparation (GPP), whey protein (WP) and casein protein (CP) containing 40% of their calories as fat. Body weight decreased significantly in all the rats except CP-fed rats. Body mass index, atherogenic index, plasma triglyceride and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level decreased significantly in all the groups in comparison to the model group (high-fat-diet group), but the decrease was more pronounced in plant proteins than milk proteins. In hepatocytes, the expression of fasting-induced adipose factor, carnitine palmitoyltransferase I and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α genes was increased significantly in SPP-fed groups. Adiponectin gene expression was upregulated significantly in visceral fat tissue in groups fed SPP-B, GPP-A and CP, whereas leptin gene was downregulated significantly in all groups except SPP-A. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that SPP-B showed the most effective anti-obesity property, followed by WP. Additionally, we found that the biological precipitation approach produced better outcomes for plant proteins isolated from oil-seed cakes than the acid precipitation method. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of palm kernel cake on nutrient utilization and performance of grazing and confined cattle: a meta-analysis.

A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary palm kernel cake inclusion (PKCInclusion) on the nutrient intake and digestibility, as well as on the performance of cattle under grazing and confined systems. Additionally, potential maximum safe levels (MSL) for PKCInclusion were explored for cattle under those systems using a broken-line approach. Overall, 22 studies for 85 treatment means and 747 experimental units were included in the dataset used for the meta-analysis in which, quantitative responses to increasing PKCInclusion levels were fitted using a mixed model, considering the study as a random effect. Additionally, all studies tested a treatment without the inclusion of PKC (PKCInclusion = 0 g/kg DM) in the concentrate and total mixed ration fed to grazing and confined animals, respectively. In grazing animals, intake, and digestibility of dry matter (DM), as well as intake of total digestible nutrient (TDN) and digestibility of crude protein (CP) decreased linearly (P < 0.01) as PKCInclusion increased. Conversely, the intake and digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) increased linearly (P < 0.01). Additionally, the intake of CP showed a quadratic decreasing pattern (P < 0.01) with the increase in dietary PKCInclusion. In confined animals, intake of DM, CP, NDF, and TDN revealed quadratic patterns (P < 0.01) as PKCInclusion increased. The digestibility of DM, CP, NDF, as well as TDN concentration showed a linear decreasing pattern (P < 0.05) as PKCInclusion increased. For performance, data revealed that average daily gain (ADG) decreased linearly (P < 0.01) in grazing and confined animals with the increase in PKCInclusion. Feed efficiency (FE) decreased linearly (P < 0.01) in grazing animals, whereas it showed a linear increase (P < 0.05) in confined animals. Exploration of the quadratic relationships of intake of DM, CP, NDF, and TDN with PKCInclusion in confined animals revealed MSL values for PKC ranging from 85.56 ± 14.2 to 126.4 ± 14.7 g PKC/kg DM. In grazing animals, exploration of the quadratic relationship of intake of CP with PKCInclusion, revealed an MSL value of 96.23 ± 9.01 g PKC/kg DM. In conclusion, data revealed that the use of PKC in both confined and grazing systems reduces the nutrient utilization and performance of cattle in a dose-dependent manner without a maximum safe level that does not reduce animal performance.

Novel sulphur-oxidizing bacteria consummate sulphur deficiency in oil seed crop.

Plants absorb sulphate, the oxidized form of elemental sulphur (S°), from soil. Sulphur-oxidizing bacteria play a key role in transformation of sulphur in soil. Oil seed crops require high amount of sulphur and it plays an important role in the formation of proteins, vitamins and enzymes. It increases yield, oil content and protein content in oil seed crops. Sulphur is the important constituent of amino acids, viz. methionine, cystine, and cysteine. It necessitates various enzymatic, metabolic processes such as photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation. In the last few years, the prominence of sulphur in oil seed crop nutrition has been accepted as widespread occurrence of its inadequacy in agricultural soil. Approximately 41% of Indian soil is deficient in sulphur. The soil microbial population is the major enforcement behind sulphur transformation. They mineralize, immobilize, oxidize and reduce the elemental and other reduced forms of sulphur. The main step in transformation is oxidation carried out by microorganisms to convert sulphur into sulphate. The chemolithotrophic bacteria belonging to genus Thiobacillus are of primary importance; there are heterotrophic bacteria also which can oxidize sulphur in soil. The pH reduction at the time of oxidation helps in mineralization and absorption of other essential nutrients also. This property of sulphur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) shows their potential to be used as bioinoculants. Bioformulations prepared using carrier-based formulations, immobilization, biostimulation, etc., are sustainable forms of fertilizers. These SOB inoculants can be used to increase the fertility and sulphate production in soil.

Detecting flowering phenology in oil seed rape parcels with Sentinel-1 and -2 time series.

A novel methodology is proposed to robustly map oil seed rape (OSR) flowering phenology from time series generated from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 (S1) and Sentinel-2 (S2) sensors. The time series are averaged at parcel level, initially for a set of 229 reference parcels for which multiple phenological observations on OSR flowering have been collected from April 21 to May 19, 2018. The set of OSR parcels is extended to a regional sample of 32,355 OSR parcels derived from a regional S2 classification. The study area comprises the northern Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (N) and the southern Bavaria (S) regions in Germany. A method was developed to automatically compute peak flowering at parcel level from the S2 time signature of the Normalized Difference Yellow Index (NDYI) and from the local minimum in S1 VV polarized backscattering coefficients. Peak flowering was determined at a temporal accuracy of 1 to 4 days. A systematic flowering delay of 1 day was observed in the S1 detection compared to S2. Peak flowering differed by 12 days between the N and S. Considerable local variation was observed in the N-S parcel-level flowering gradient. Additional in-situ phenology observations at 70 Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) stations confirm the spatial and temporal consistency between S1 and S2 signatures and flowering phenology across both regions. Conditions during flowering strongly determine OSR yield, therefore, the capacity to continuously characterize spatially the timing of key flowering dates across large areas is key. To illustrate this, expected flowering dates were simulated assuming a single OSR variety with a 425 growing degree days (GDD) requirement to reach flowering. This GDD requirement was calculated based on parcel-level peak flowering dates and temperatures accumulated from 25-km gridded meteorological data. The correlation between simulated and S2 observed peak flowering dates still equaled 0.84 and 0.54 for the N and S respectively. These Sentinel-based parcel-level flowering parameters can be combined with weather data to support in-season predictions of OSR yield, area, and production. Our approach identified the unique temporal signatures of S1 and S2 associated with OSR flowering and can now be applied to monitor OSR phenology for parcels across the globe.

Black Edible Films from Protein-Containing Defatted Cake of Nigella sativa Seeds.

Black biodegradable/edible protein-based films were prepared from defatted cake waste obtained from Nigella sativa (black cumin) seeds as by-product of oil extraction process. The effects of pH, glycerol concentrations, and transglutaminase-catalyzed protein cross-linking activity on the stability of film-forming solutions were studied to determine the best experimental conditions to produce handleable films. Proteins contained in the analyzed defatted cake were shown to be able to act as transglutaminase acyl donor and acceptor substrates being polymerized when incubated in vitro in the presence of the enzyme. Film-forming solutions containing 20% glycerol and casted at pH 8.0 after treatment with the enzyme gave rise to morphologically more homogeneous films possessing mechanical and barrier properties, as well as antimicrobial activity, compatible with their possible applications as food packaging materials and mulching sheets. These findings confirm the validity of the strategy to consider the seed oil processed cakes as protein-based renewable sources to produce not only fertilizers, animal feed, or culinary food but also further valuable products such as bioplastics.

Genetically Engineered Oil Seed Crops and Novel Terrestrial Nutrients: Ethical Considerations.

Genetically engineered (GE) organisms have been at the center of ethical debates among the public and regulators over their potential risks and benefits to the environment and society. Unlike the currently commercial GE crops that express resistance or tolerance to pesticides or herbicides, a new GE crop produces two bioactive nutrients (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) that heretofore have largely been produced only in aquatic environments. This represents a novel category of risk to ecosystem functioning. The present paper describes why growing oilseed crops engineered to produce EPA and DHA means introducing into a terrestrial ecosystem a pair of highly bioactive nutrients that are novel to terrestrial ecosystems and why that may have ecological and physiological consequences. More importantly perhaps, this paper argues that discussion of this novel risk represents an opportunity to examine the way the debate over genetically modified crops is being conducted.

Recent research in flaxseed (oil seed) on molecular structure and metabolic characteristics of protein, heat processing-induced effect and nutrition with advanced synchrotron-based molecular techniques.

Advanced synchrotron radiation-based infrared microspectroscopy is able to reveal feed and food structure feature at cellular and molecular levels and simultaneously provides composition, structure, environment, and chemistry within intact tissue. However, to date, this advanced synchrotron-based technique is still seldom known to food and feed scientists. This article aims to provide detailed background for flaxseed (oil seed) protein research and then review recent progress and development in flaxseed research in ruminant nutrition in the areas of (1) dietary inclusion of flaxseed in rations; (2) heat processing effect; (3) assessing dietary protein; (4) synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy as a tool of nutritive evaluation within cellular and subcellular dimensions; (5) recent synchrotron applications in flaxseed research on a molecular basis. The information described in this paper gives better insight in flaxseed research progress and update.

The calcium-dependent protein kinase RcCDPK2 phosphorylates sucrose synthase at Ser11 in developing castor oil seeds.

Imported sucrose is cleaved by sucrose synthase (SUS) as a critical initial reaction in the biosynthesis of storage end-products by developing seeds. Although SUS is phosphorylated at a conserved seryl residue by an apparent CDPK (Ca2+-dependent protein kinase) in diverse plant tissues, the functions and mechanistic details of this process remain obscure. Thus, the native CDPK that phosphorylates RcSUS1 (Ricinus communis SUS1) at Ser11 in developing COS (castor oil seeds) was highly purified and identified as RcCDPK2 by MS/MS. Purified RcSUS1-K (-kinase) and heterologously expressed RcCDPK2 catalyzed Ca2+-dependent Ser11 phosphorylation of RcSUS1 and its corresponding dephosphopeptide, while exhibiting a high affinity for free Ca2+ ions [K0.5(Ca2+) < 0.4 µM]. RcSUS1-K activity, RcCDPK2 expression, and RcSUS1 Ser11 phosphorylation peaked during early COS development and then declined in parallel. The elimination of sucrose import via fruit excision triggered RcSUS1 dephosphorylation but did not alter RcSUS1-K activity, suggesting a link between sucrose signaling and posttranslational RcCDPK2 control. Both RcCDPK2-mCherry and RcSUS1-EYFP co-localized throughout the cytosol when transiently co-expressed in tobacco suspension cells, although RcCDPK2-mCherry was also partially localized to the nucleus. Subcellular fractionation revealed that ∼20% of RcSUS1-K activity associates with microsomal membranes in developing COS, as does RcSUS1. In contrast with RcCDPK1, which catalyzes inhibitory phosphorylation of COS bacterial-type phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase at Ser451, RcCDPK2 exhibited broad substrate specificity, a wide pH-activity profile centered at pH 8.5, and insensitivity to metabolite effectors or thiol redox status. Our combined results indicate a possible link between cytosolic Ca2+-signaling and the control of photosynthate partitioning during COS development.

Biochemical and molecular characterization of RcSUS1, a cytosolic sucrose synthase phosphorylated in vivo at serine 11 in developing castor oil seeds.

Sucrose synthase (SUS) catalyzes the UDP-dependent cleavage of sucrose into UDP-glucose and fructose and has become an important target for improving seed crops via metabolic engineering. A UDP-specific SUS homotetramer composed of 93-kDa subunits was purified to homogeneity from the triacylglyceride-rich endosperm of developing castor oil seeds (COS) and identified as RcSUS1 by mass spectrometry. RcSUS1 transcripts peaked during early development, whereas levels of SUS activity and immunoreactive 93-kDa SUS polypeptides maximized during mid-development, becoming undetectable in fully mature COS. The cytosolic location of the enzyme was established following transient expression of RcSUS1-enhanced YFP in tobacco suspension cells and fluorescence microscopy. Immunological studies using anti-phosphosite-specific antibodies revealed dynamic and high stoichiometric in vivo phosphorylation of RcSUS1 at its conserved Ser-11 residue during COS development. Incorporation of (32)P(i) from [γ-(32)P]ATP into a RcSUS1 peptide substrate, alongside a phosphosite-specific ELISA assay, established the presence of calcium-dependent RcSUS1 (Ser-11) kinase activity. Approximately 10% of RcSUS1 was associated with COS microsomal membranes and was hypophosphorylated relative to the remainder of RcSUS1 that partitioned into the soluble, cytosolic fraction. Elimination of sucrose supply caused by excision of intact pods of developing COS abolished RcSUS1 transcription while triggering the progressive dephosphorylation of RcSUS1 in planta. This did not influence the proportion of RcSUS1 associated with microsomal membranes but instead correlated with a subsequent marked decline in SUS activity and immunoreactive RcSUS1 polypeptides. Phosphorylation at Ser-11 appears to protect RcSUS1 from proteolysis, rather than influence its kinetic properties or partitioning between the soluble cytosol and microsomal membranes.

Evaluation of Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz meal as an alternative protein source in ruminant rations.

BACKGROUND: Camelina sativa (CS) is an oilseed crop used for biofuel production. By-products from oil extraction are high in protein and can be used in ruminant rations; more information about their nutritive value is required also considering the antinutrional factor content of the by-products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of CS meal genotypes in comparison with canola. RESULTS: Ten CS genotypes and one canola cultivar were evaluated. Meals were obtained from seeds after solvent oil extraction. CS average crude protein (CP) content (g kg⁻¹ dry matter) was 457. Numerical differences in lysine and sulfur amino acid content were observed among CS genotypes. Glucosinolate (mmol kg⁻¹) content was higher for CS (23.1) than canola (7.2). Sinapine content (g kg⁻¹) was lower for CS (2.79) than for canola (4.32). Differences were observed among CS genotypes for rumen undegraded protein (RUP). Average RUP (g kg⁻¹ CP) was 316 for CS and 275 for canola. CONCLUSIONS: CS meal has potential for use in ruminant rations as a high-quality protein source. In vivo studies are needed to compare CS with other protein sources used in cattle rations. Implementation of breeding programs for improved meal quality is recommend.

Honey bees for pesticide monitoring in the landscape: Which bee matrices should be used?

Among bee species, the western honey bee (Apis mellifera) is preferred in monitoring studies performed in the agricultural landscape, while bee matrices, pollen, and honey are mostly a subject of these studies due to their unique composition. A justified question about the relevance of other bee matrices, like larvae, foragers, beebread, and/or wax, has been raised. The ability of different bee matrices (wax, pollen grains, bee bread, foragers, larvae, nectar, and honey) to absorb pesticide residues is subjected in this study. All samples were collected during a crop flowering season (oilseed rape) on intensively managed agricultural land in Slovakia and Germany. The observed high variability in residue levels, profile, and number of detections among studied matrices from Germany, west, and east Slovakia gave us an assumption of the use of different agricultural practices between these two countries. Fungicides clearly dominated across all samples in all sampling regions. The increased pesticide profile positively correlated with the oilseed rape pollen grains in pollen pellets and/or bee bread. Bee wax, pollen, and bee bread showed a high number of detected active substances and total residue concentrations among matrices, indicating their high ability to absorb pesticide residues in the surrounding hive environment.

Comparison of Oil-Seed Shell Biomass-Based Biochar for the Removal of Anionic Dyes-Characterization and Adsorption Efficiency Studies.

This research investigated the synthesis of biochar through the direct pyrolysis of pre-roasted sunflower seed shells (SFS) and peanut shells (PNS) and compared their application for the effective removal of textile dyes from wastewater. Biochar prepared at 900 °C (SFS900 and PNS900) showed the highest adsorption capacity, which can be attributed to the presence of higher nitrogen content and graphite-like structures. CHNS analysis revealed that PNS900 exhibited an 11.4% higher carbon content than SFS900, which enhanced the environmental stability of PNS biochar. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses of the produced biochar indicated the degradation of cellulosic and lignin moieties. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed a 13.8% and 22.6% increase in C-C/C=C mass concentrations in the SFS900 and PNS900, respectively, and could be attributed to the condensation of polyaromatic structures. Batch experiments for dye removal demonstrated that irrespective of dye species, PNS900 exhibited superior dye removal efficiency compared to SFS900 at similar dosages. In addition to H-bonding and electrostatic interactions, the presence of pyridinic-N and graphitic-N can play a vital role in enhancing Lewis acid-base and π-π EDA interactions. The results can provide valuable insights into the biochar-dye interaction mechanisms.

Cadmium partitioning between hulls and kernels in three sunflower varieties: consequences for food/feed chain safety.

Contamination of sunflower seeds with soil Cd is an important issue for food and feed because this species strongly accumulates this metal. The present work reports that seeds from three sunflower varieties (ES Biba, Extrasol, Vellox) cultivated in the field in a calcareous agricultural soil having a moderately high Cd content (1 mg Cd/kg) had Cd contents of 0.84, 0.88 and 0.76 mg Cd/kg, respectively, all exceeding the regulation limit of 0.5 mg Cd/kg seeds for human food. On average, for the three varieties, washing seeds did not affect their total Cd contents but slightly increased the Cd in the kernels at the expense of that in hulls. Despite the Cd content of the whole seeds not differing between the varieties, the Cd fraction in the edible kernel differed significantly between varieties from 78 to 87% of the total seed Cd. The results of this study suggest that (i) the size of the kernel, relative to that of the hull, may affect the dilution of Cd in kernel tissues and (ii) there might be genetic variability for the capacity of transfer of Cd from the hull to the kernel. This opens the perspective to increase food safety by selecting sunflower genotypes that retain more Cd into the hull and transfer less of it to the edible kernel.

Unlocking the phytoremediation potential of organic acids: A study on alleviating lead toxicity in canola (Brassica napus L.).

Soil contamination with toxic heavy metals [such as lead (Pb)] is becoming a serious global problem due to the rapid development of the social economy. Organic chelating agents such as maleic acid (MA) and tartaric acid (TA) are more efficient, environmentally friendly, and biodegradable compared to inorganic chelating agents and they enhance the solubility, absorption, and stability of metals. To investigate this, we conducted a hydroponic experiment to assess the impact of MA (0.25 mM) and TA (1 mM) on enhancing the phytoremediation of Pb under its toxic concentration of 100 µM, using the oil seed crop canola (Brassica napus L.). Results from the present study showed that the Pb toxicity significantly (P < 0.05) decreased plant growth and biomass, photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange attributes and nutritional contents from the roots and shoots of the plants. In contrast, toxic concentration of Pb significantly (P < 0.05) increased oxidative stress indicators in term of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and electrolyte leakage, increased enzymatic and non-enzymatic antixoidants and their specific gene expression and also increased organic acid exudation patter in the roots of B. napus. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that Pb toxicity significantly affected double membranous organelles while Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed an nveiled distinct peak variations in Pb-treated plants, when compared to control. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that Pb toxicity significantly affected double-membrane organelles, while Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy unveiled distinct peak variations in Pb-treated plants compared to the control. The negative impact of Pb toxicity can overcome the application of MA and TA, which ultimately increased plant growth and biomass by capturing the reactive oxygen species, and decreased oxidative stress in B. napus. With the application of MA and TA, the values of the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) and translocation factor (TF) exceeded 1, indicating that the use of MA and TA enhances the phytoremediation potential of B. napus under Pb stress conditions. This finding could be beneficial for field environment studies, especially when explored through in-depth genetic and molecular analysis.

Aqueous Extracts of Fermented Macrofungi Cultivated in Oilseed Cakes as a Carbon Source for Probiotic Bacteria and Potential Antibacterial Activity.

Plant biomass colonized by macrofungi can contain molecules with bioactive properties with applications to human/animal health. This work aimed to verify antibacterial activities from aqueous extracts from oil seed cakes of Jatropha curcas (JSC) and cottonseed (CSC), fermented by macrofungi for probiotic bacteria cultivation. Coriolopsis sp., Tyromyces sp., Panus lecomtei, and Pleurotus pulmonarius were cultivated in solid and submerged media. The aqueous extract of unfermented JSC was more efficient than glucose for the growth of all probiotic bacteria. Extracts from four macrofungi fermented in CSC favored Lactobacillus acidophilus growth. In solid fermentation, macrofungi extracts cultivated in JSC favored Bifidobacterium lactis growth. All fungi extracts showed more significant growth than carbohydrates among the four probiotic bacteria evaluated. Regarding antimicrobial activities, no fungal extract or bacterial supernatant showed a more significant inhibition halo for enteropathogenic bacteria than ampicillin (control). Extracts from P. lecomtei and Coriolopsis sp. in CSC showed inhibition halos for Salmonella enterica. Supernatants from L. acidophilus, B. lactis, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus resulted in more significant inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus than the control, which indicates possible antimicrobial activity. Unfermented JSC supernatant showed better results for bacterial growth, while supernatants and aqueous extracts from CSC fermentation can be used for probiotic bacteria culture.

Characterization of genes involved in micronutrients and toxic metals detoxification in Brassica napus by genome-wide cDNA library screening.

Stresses caused by deficiency/excess of mineral nutrients or of pollution of toxic metals have already become a primary factor in limiting crop production worldwide. Genes involved in minerals and toxic metals accumulation/tolerance could be potential candidates for improving crop plants with enhanced nutritional efficiency and environmental adaptability. In this study, we first generated a high-quality yeast expression cDNA library of Brassica napus (Westar), and 46 genes mediating excess micronutrients and toxic metals detoxification were screened using the yeast genetic complementation system, including 11, 5, 6, 14, 6, and 5 genes involved in cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), boron (B), and copper (Cu) tolerance, respectively. Characterization of genes mediating excess ions stress resistance in this study is beneficial for us to further understand ions homeostasis in B. napus.

Generation of high oleic acid sunflower lines using gamma radiation mutagenesis and high-throughput fatty acid profiling.

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is the second most important oil seed crop in Europe. The seeds are used as confection seeds and, more importantly, to generate an edible vegetable oil, which in normal varieties is rich in the polyunsaturated fatty acid linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is biosynthesized from oleic acid through activity of the oleate desaturase FATTY ACID DESATURASE 2 (FAD2), which in seeds is encoded by FAD2-1, a gene that's present in single copy in sunflowers. Defective FAD2-1 expression enriches oleic acid, yielding the high oleic (HO) acid trait, which is of great interest in oil seed crops, since HO oil bears benefits for both food and non-food applications. Chemical mutagenesis has previously been used to generate sunflower mutants with reduced FAD2-1 expression and here it was aimed to produce further genetic material in which FAD2-1 activity is lost and the HO trait is stably expressed. For this purpose, a sunflower mutant population was created using gamma irradiation and screened for fad2-1 mutants with a newly developed HPLC-based fatty-acid profiling system that's suitable for high-throughput analyses. With this approach fad2-1 knock-out mutants could be isolated, which stably hyper-accumulate oleic acid in concentrations of 85-90% of the total fatty acid pool. The genetic nature of these new sunflower lines was characterized and will facilitate marker development, for the rapid introgression of the trait into elite sunflower breeding material.

Genome-wide identification, phylogeny, and expression profiling analysis of shattering genes in rapeseed and mustard plants.

BACKGROUND: Non-synchronized pods shattering in the Brassicaceae family bring upon huge yield losses around the world. The shattering process was validated to be controlled by eight genes in Arabidopsis, including SHP1, SHP2, FUL, IND, ALC, NAC, RPL, and PG. We performed genome-wide identification, characterization, and expression analysis of shattering genes in B.napus and B. juncea to gain understanding into this gene family and to explain their expression patterns in fresh and mature siliques. RESULTS: A comprehensive genome investigation of B.napus and B.juncea revealed 32 shattering genes, which were identified and categorized using protein motif structure, exon-intron organization, and phylogeny. The phylogenetic study revealed that these shattering genes contain little duplications, determined with a distinct chromosome number. Motifs of 32 shattering proteins were observed where motifs1 and 2 were found to be more conserved. A single motif was observed for other genes like Br-nS7, Br-nS9, Br-nS10, Br-jS21, Br-jS23, Br-jS24, Br-jS25, and Br-jS26. Synteny analysis was performed that validated a conserved pattern of blocks among these cultivars. RT-PCR based expressions profiles showed higher expression of shattering genes in B. juncea as compared to B.napus. SHP1, SHP2, and FUL gene were expressed more in mature silique. ALC gene was upregulated in fresh silique of B. napus but downregulation of ALC were observed in fresh silique of B. juncea. CONCLUSION: This study authenticates the presence of shattering genes in the local cultivars of Brassica. It has been validated that the expression of shattering genes were more in B. juncea as compared to B.napus. The outcomes of this study contribute to the screening of more candidate genes for further investigation.

Phytochemical Analysis and Binding Interaction of Cotton Seed Cake Derived Compounds with Target Protein of Meloidogyne incognita for Nematicidal Evaluation.

The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita is one of the most damaging plant-parasitic nematodes and is responsible for significant crop losses worldwide. Rising human health and environmental concerns have led to the withdrawal of commonly used chemical nematicides. There has been a tremendous demand for eco-friendly bio-nematicides with beneficial properties to the nematode hosting plants, which encourages the need for alternative nematode management practices. The current study was undertaken to determine the nematicidal potential of cotton seed cake (CSC) against second-stage juvenile (J2) hatching, J2 mortality, and J2 penetration of M. incognita in tomato plants in vitro. J2s and egg masses of M. incognita were exposed to four concentrations (250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/L) of CSC extracts. The higher J2 mortality and inhibition of J2 hatching were found at 1000 mg/L, while the least effective result was observed at 250 mg/L of the CSC extract. The CSC extract applied with the concentrations mentioned above also showed inhibition of J2 penetration in tomato roots; 1000 mg/L showed the highest inhibition of penetration, while 250 mg/L displayed the least inhibition. Using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, we identified 11 compounds, out of which 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, Hexadecanoic acid, and Tetradecanoic acid were found as major compounds. Subsequently, in silico molecular docking was conducted to confirm the nematicidal behavior of CSC based on binding interactions of the above three major compounds with the targeted protein acetylcholine esterase (AChE) of M. incognita. The values of binding free energy are -5.3, -4.5, and -4.9 kcal/mol, observed for 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid, n-Hexadecanoic acid, and Tetradecanoic acid, respectively, suggesting that 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid binds with the receptor AChE more efficiently than the other two ligands. This study indicates that CSC has nematicidal potential that can be used to control M. incognita for sustainable agriculture.

Optimization of prodigiosin biosynthesis by Serratia marcescens using unconventional bioresources.

BACKGROUND: Prodigiosin is a naturally occurring red pigment by Serratia marcescens and having enormous medicinal properties. Recently, there is a need to develop a high-throughput and economically feasible bioprocess for the production of prodigiosin. In order to find a cost-effective alternative to individual fatty acids as substrate in industries, we tried to study the effect of different fatty acid containing oil seed cakes of peanut, sesame, and mustard as sources of substrate. The present study screened waste and unconventional bioresources for the production of prodigiosin using S. marcescens ATCC 13880. Sources with high oil content were screened for maximum production of prodigiosin. Also, various parameters like temperature, pH, and nutrient precursors were screened and optimized for the production of prodigiosin. RESULTS: Scaled-up of optimized media consisting of 4% peanut oil seed cake powder, 2% sucrose, pH 7.5, temperature 28 °C, and 72 h incubation time resulted in highest production of 15.5 g/L wet biomass and 0.9 g/L of dried prodigiosin. Further, UV scan of the pigment showed maximum absorbance at 538 nm which is physiological property of the pigment. Extraction and purification of the pigment at the commercial level using the chromatographic techniques and mass spectral analysis confirmed the presence of prodigiosin. CONCLUSION: Using oil-extraction leftover wastes might help in the commercial and cost-effective production of prodigiosin.