Development and Characterization of Powdered Antioxidant Compounds Made from Shiraz (Vitis vinifera L.) Grape Peels and Arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea L.).

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is a plant containing many phenolic compounds, mostly distributed in the peel, pulp, and seeds. This study evaluates the centesimal composition and bioactive compounds in Shiraz grape (Vitis vinifera) peels using spectrophotometric and UHPLC techniques and develops different formulations of compound powders from the peels and arrowroot using conventional drying technology. The results demonstrate that Shiraz grape skin contains significant amounts of insoluble fiber (15.3%), phenolics (157.09 ± 6.96-149.11 ± 9.27 mg GAE g-1), and flavonoids (0.75 ± 0.50-2.00 ± 0.50 mg QE g-1), with excellent antioxidant capacity observed in the alcoholic extracts. The phenolic content in the developed powdered compounds ranged from 128.32 to 139.70 mg GAE g-1. In general, the compounds showed good antioxidant capacity (IC50 = 0.17 to 0.19 µg mL-1). According to the chromatographic evaluation, it was possible to quantify gallic acid, catechin, and epicatechin, the latter of which was found in the largest quantities in the six formulations. The EV5 formulation was the most efficient in terms of phenolic compounds and protein amounts. This formulation's composition and low cost could make it viable for use in the food industry.

Diet of Grauer's Gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri) in a Low-Elevation Forest.

Although the vast majority of critically endangered Grauer's gorillas (Gorilla beringei graueri) inhabit low-elevation rain forests, current insights into this ape's life history and ecology stem predominantly from 2 small populations ranging in highland habitats. Here, we provide an initial and non-exhaustive overview of food items of Grauer's gorillas in the Nkuba Conservation Area (NCA), a lower-elevation (500-1,500 m) forest located between Kahuzi-Biega National Park and Maiko National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Community-based conservation efforts at the NCA aim to protect a population of unhabituated Grauer's gorillas, which we have studied since 2014. Between 2014 and 2020, we simultaneously tracked 1-3 gorilla groups and recorded a total of 10,514 feeding signs on at least 100 plant species, ants, termites, and fungi. Vegetative plant parts (plant stems, leaves, pith, bark, and roots), especially of Marantaceae and Fabaceae, made up close to 90% of recorded feeding signs, with fruit accounting for most of the remainder and a small (<1%) number of feeding signs on invertebrates and fungi. We found that the most frequently recorded food items were consumed year-round, though fruit intake seems to peak in the September-December wet season, possibly reflecting patterns in fruit phenology. The diet of Grauer's gorillas in the NCA differed from that of Grauer's gorillas in highland habitat and instead showed similarities with Grauer's gorillas at the lowland forest of Itebero and with western lowland gorillas (G. gorilla), which live under ecologically comparable conditions.

Influence of spray drying on bioactive compounds of blackberry pulp microencapsulated with arrowroot starch and gum arabic mixture.

The objective of this research work was to obtain blackberry pulp in microencapsulated powder with a of arrowroot starch/gum arabic mixture by spray drying. Experimental design, with 11 runs, was performed to evaluate the effects of inlet air temperature (100-150 °C) and encapsulating agent concentration (1:0.5-1:2, blackberry pulp solids: arrowroot starch/gum arabic) on the functional properties of powders. The ascorbic acid content and luminosity of the powder increased with increasing encapsulating agent concentrations, whereas the b* values decreased. Increasing the inlet air temperature and decreasing the encapsulating agent concentration, the content of anthocyanins also increased. The powders were able to reduce Fe+3 and to trap free radicals, showing antioxidant property. The temperature of 143 °C and concentration of encapsulating agent 1:1.78 were the ideal conditions to have high content of ascorbic acid and good content of anthocyanins and antioxidant properties.

Improvement of texture properties and syneresis of arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) starch gels by using hydrocolloids (guar gum and xanthan gum).

BACKGROUND: The incorporation of hydrocolloids into starch dispersions modifies their techno-functional properties, such as gelatinization, retrogradation, syneresis, and texture, among others. Their main function is to improve these properties and to promote greater stability of starch gels. Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding colloids (guar gum and xanthan gum) on the texture properties (hardness, elasticity, cohesiveness, and gumminess) and syneresis of the starch gels made from the common variety of arrowroot. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression were carried out to analyze the effects of the treatments and variables with their respective interactions. RESULTS: The addition of guar gum and xanthan gum influenced the stability of the starch gels studied, and it was capable of reducing syneresis even at low concentrations, with a greater effect for xanthan gum. Both gums were capable of inhibiting syneresis at concentrations above 0.5%, throughout the storage time studied (5 days). The addition of these hydrocolloids was also shown to influence the following texture parameters: hardness, cohesiveness, and gumminess, but showed no effect on gel elasticity. CONCLUSION: The addition of hydrocolloids was shown to be an alternative way of increasing the stability and enhancing the textural properties of the starch gels in arrowroot. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Potential use of Schumannianthus dichotomus waste: the phytotoxic activity of the waste and its identified compounds.

The phytotoxic potential of the leaves and twigs of Schumannianthus dichotomus, discarded in the mat-making industry against four test plants (lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), foxtail fescue (Vulpia myuros (L.) C.C. Gmel.) and timothy (Phleum pratense L.)) was investigated and found strong phytotoxic activity. An assay-guided fractionation of S. dichotomus extarcts against cress (Lepidium sativum L.) through a series of column chromatography steps yielded two compounds, 8-(5-oxo-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-yl) octanoic acid (ODFO) and (E)-6-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoic acid (8-carboxylinalool). ODFO and 8-carboxylinalool showed strong phytotoxic activity against cress and timothy. The concentrations required for 50% growth inhibition (I50 value) of the seedlings of cress and timothy were 111.94-128.01 and 36.30-91.75 µM, respectively, for ODFO, but the values were much higher at 315.98-379.13 and 107.92-148.41 µM, respectively, for 8-carboxylinalool, indicating the stronger phytotoxic activity of ODFO. This study is the first to isolate ODFO and 8-carboxylinalool from S. dichotomus and their phytotoxic potential while ODFO is firstly encountered from any natural source. The growth inhibitory activity of the identified compounds may explain their role in the phytotoxic activity of S. dichotomus, which suggests the possible use of its leaves and twigs or its active constituents as natural bioherbicides.

Biochemical and Physiological Characteristics of Photosynthesis in Plants of Two Calathea Species.

Plants of the genus Calathea possess many leaf colors, and they are economically important because they are widely used as ornamentals for interior landscaping. Physiological performances and photosynthetic capacities of C. insignis and C. makoyana were investigated. The photosynthetic efficiencies of C. insignis and C. makoyana were significantly increased when the photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) increased from 0 to 600 µmol photons·m-2·s-1 and became saturated with a further increase in the PPFD. The two Calathea species had lower values of both the light saturation point and maximal photosynthetic rate, which indicated that they are shade plants. No significant differences in predawn Fv/Fm values (close to 0.8) were observed between dark-green (DG) and light-green (LG) leaf sectors in all tested leaves. However, the effective quantum yield of photosystem II largely decreased as the PPFD increased. An increase in the apparent photosynthetic electron transport rate was observed in both species to a maximum at 600 µmol·m-2·s-1 PPFD, following by a decrease to 1500 µmol·m-2·s-1 PPFD. Compared to LG leaf extracts, DG leaf extracts contained higher levels of chlorophyll (Chl) a, Chl b, Chls a + b, carotenoids (Cars), anthocyanins (Ants), flavonoids (Flas), and polyphenols (PPs) in all plants, except for the Ant, Fla and PP contents of C. insignis plants. Calathea insignis also contained significantly higher levels of total protein than did C. makoyana. The adjusted normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), photochemical reflectance index (PRI), red-green, and flavonol index (FlavI) were significantly correlated to leaf Chls a + b, Cars, Ants, and Flas in C. makoyana, respectively, and can be used as indicators to characterize the physiology of these plants.

In vacuo X-ray data collection from graphene-wrapped protein crystals.

The measurement of diffraction data from macromolecular crystal samples held in vacuo holds the promise of a very low X-ray background and zero absorption of incident and scattered beams, leading to better data and the potential for accessing very long X-ray wavelengths (>3 Å) for native sulfur phasing. Maintaining the hydration of protein crystals under vacuum is achieved by the use of liquid jets, as with serial data collection at free-electron lasers, or is side-stepped by cryocooling the samples, as implemented at new synchrotron beamlines. Graphene has been shown to protect crystals from dehydration by creating an extremely thin layer that is impermeable to any exchanges with the environment. Furthermore, owing to its hydrophobicity, most of the aqueous solution surrounding the crystal is excluded during sample preparation, thus eliminating most of the background caused by liquid. Here, it is shown that high-quality data can be recorded at room temperature from graphene-wrapped protein crystals in a rough vacuum. Furthermore, it was observed that graphene protects crystals exposed to different relative humidities and a chemically harsh environment.

Large size and high light do not lower the cost of reproduction for the Neotropical herb Goeppertia marantifolia.

UNLABELLED: • PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Sexual reproduction is often associated with a cost in terms of reduced survival, growth, or future reproduction. It has been proposed that plant size and the environment (availability of key resources) can sometimes lower or even nullify the cost of reproduction.• METHODS: We address this issue experimentally with the Neotropical herb Goeppertia marantifolia, by manipulating sexual reproductive effort and measuring the demographic performance of plants and of their clonal offspring, in the context of natural variation in light availability.• KEY RESULTS: Plants in the high-reproductive-effort treatment grew less between seasons but did not differ in their probability of flowering the second season or in inflorescence size compared with plants in the low-effort treatment. Reproductive effort of parent plants influenced the leaf area of their clonal offspring. Plants that invested less in sexual reproduction produced clonal offspring that were initially larger than those produced by plants that invested more in reproduction. The magnitude of this effect was greater in parent plants that received two seasons of the manipulated reproductive effort than in those that received a single season. The trade-off between reproductive modes dampened with time, leading to smaller differences in clonal offspring leaf area between treatments over time.• CONCLUSIONS: We found evidence of a cost of reproduction and trade-offs between reproductive modes, although the magnitude of these costs was small. However, we found no evidence of lower costs of reproduction for larger plants or for plants in higher-light environments over our 2-yr study period.

Interactions between plant size and canopy openness influence vital rates and life-history tradeoffs in two neotropical understory herbs.

UNLABELLED: • PREMISE OF THE STUDY: For tropical forest understory plants, the ability to grow, survive, and reproduce is limited by the availability of light. The extent to which reproduction incurs a survival or growth cost may change with light availability, plant size, and adaptation to shade, and may vary among similar species.• METHODS: We estimated size-specific rates of growth, survival, and reproduction (vital rates), for two neotropical understory herbs (order Zingiberales) in a premontane tropical rainforest in Costa Rica. During three annual censuses we monitored 1278 plants, measuring leaf area, number of inflorescences, and canopy openness. We fit regression models of all vital rates and evaluated them over a range of light levels. The best fitting models were selected using Akaike's Information Criterion.• KEY RESULTS: All vital rates were significantly influenced by size in both species, but not always by light. Increasing light resulted in higher growth and a higher probability of reproduction in both species, but lower survival in one species. Both species grew at small sizes but shrank at larger sizes. The size at which shrinkage began differed among species and light environments. Vital rates of large individuals were more sensitive to changes in light than small individuals.• CONCLUSIONS: Increasing light does not always positively influence vital rates; the extent to which light affects vital rates depends on plant size. Differences among species in their abilities to thrive under different light conditions and thus occupy distinct niches may contribute to the maintenance of species diversity.

A Comparison of Anammox Bacterial Abundance and Community Structures in Three Different Emerged Plants-Related Sediments.

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays and 16S rRNA gene clone libraries were used to document the abundance, diversity and community structure of anaerobic ammonia-oxidising (anammox) bacteria in the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere sediments of three emergent macrophyte species (Iris pseudacorus, Thalia dealbata and Typha orientalis). The qPCR results confirmed the existence of anammox bacteria (AMX) with observed log number of gene copies per dry gram sediment ranging from 5.00 to 6.78. AMX was more abundant in T. orientalis-associated sediments than in the other two plant species. The I. pseudacorus- and T. orientalis-associated sediments had higher Shannon diversity values, indicating higher AMX diversity in these sediments. Based on the 16S rRNA gene, Candidatus 'Brocadia', Candidatus 'Kuenenia', Candidatus 'Jettenia' and new clusters were observed with the predominant Candidatus 'Kuenenia' cluster. The I. pseudacorus-associated sediments contained all the sequences of the C. 'Jettenia' cluster. Sequences obtained from T. orientalis-associated sediments contributed more than 90 % sequences in the new cluster, whereas none was found from I. pseudacorus. The new cluster was distantly related to known sequences; thus, this cluster was grouped outside the known clusters, indicating that the new cluster may be a new Planctomycetales genus. Further studies should be undertaken to confirm this finding.

Sorption of sulphamethoxazole by the biochars derived from rice straw and alligator flag.

The sorption ability of sulphamethoxazole (SMX) by biochar derived from rice straw (RS) and alligator flag (AF) at 600°C was studied to assess the ability of biochar as adsorbent to remove SMX from aqueous solution. The results indicated that sorption of SMX by biochars was well described using the Langmuir equation (R2>0.94), and the maximum sorption parameter (Q) of RS (3650 mg kg(-1)) was much higher than that of AF (1963 mg kg(-1)). Temperature had no effect on SMX sorption by biochars, while thermodynamics analysis indicated that the sorption of SMX on both biochars was a spontaneous physical process. The d 250 RS (diameter of RS sieved through 250 µm) and d 150 AF (diameter of AF sieved through 150 µm) showed excellent sorption ability for SMX. The sorption amount of RS was larger than that of AF when pH<7, whereas, the sorption amount of AF surpassed RS when pH≥7. The presence of Cu2+ and/or Cd2+ ion at low concentrations (20 mg L(-1)) significantly (P<0.05) increased the sorption of SMX on both RS and AF. Our study confirms that biochar derived from the wetland plants could be used as effective adsorbents to remove SMX from aqueous solution.

Contrasting patterns of gene flow between sister plant species in the understorey of African moist forests - the case of sympatric and parapatric Marantaceae species.

Gene flow within and between species is a fundamental process shaping the evolutionary history of taxa. However, the extent of hybridization and reinforcement is little documented in the tropics. Here we explore the pattern of gene flow between three sister species from the herbaceous genus Marantochloa (Marantaceae), sympatrically distributed in the understorey of the African rainforest, using data from the chloroplast and nuclear genomes (DNA sequences and AFLP). We found highly contrasting patterns: while there was no evidence of gene flow between M. congensis and M. monophylla, species identity between M. monophylla and M. incertifolia was maintained despite considerable gene flow. We hypothesize that M. incertifolia originated from an ancient hybridization event between M. congensis and M. monophylla, considering the current absence of hybridization between the two assumed parent species, the rare presence of shared haplotypes between all three species and the high percentage of haplotypes shared by M. incertifolia with each of the two parent species. This example is contrasted with two parapatrically distributed species from the same family in the genus Haumania forming a hybrid zone restricted to the area of overlap. This work illustrates the diversity of speciation/introgression patterns that can potentially occur in the flora of tropical Africa.

Micropropagation of an exotic ornamental plant, Calathea crotalifera, for production of high quality plantlets.

A successful protocol was established for micropropagation in two selected varieties of exotic ornamental plants, Calathea crotalifera. The effects of different sterilization techniques, explant type, and the combination and concentration of plant growth regulators on shoots induction were studied. The axillary shoot buds explants sprouted from rhizomes in soil free conditions showed high induction rate of shoots with lowest contamination percentage when treated with combination of 30% (v/v) NaOCl, 70% (v/v) ethanol, and 0.3% (w/v) HgCl2. In the present study, the highest number of multiple shoots was obtained in MS basal medium supplemented with 3.5 mg/L 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP), 1.0 mg/L 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 3% sucrose, and 6 g/L plant agar for both varieties and was used as multiplication medium. Microshoots were highly induced when the young shoot bud explants were incised longitudinally prior subculture. Chlorophyll analysis was studied to test the effects of activated charcoal and L-glutamine on reduction of necrosis problem. The maximum roots induction was recorded on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/L 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) compared to indolebutyric acid (IBA). The complete regenerated plantlets were successfully acclimatized in the soilless medium under greenhouse condition. This is the first report of rapid mass propagation for C. crotalifera.

3D printed arrowroot starch-gellan scaffolds for wound healing applications.

Skin, the largest organ in the body, blocks the entry of environmental pollutants into the system. Any injury to this organ allows infections and other harmful substances into the body. 3D bioprinting, a state-of-the-art technique, is suitable for fabricating cell culture scaffolds to heal chronic wounds rapidly. This study uses starch extracted from Maranta arundinacea (Arrowroot plant) (AS) and gellan gum (GG) to develop a bioink for 3D printing a scaffold capable of hosting animal cells. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) prove that the isolated AS is analogous to commercial starch. The cell culture scaffolds developed are superior to the existing monolayer culture. Infrared microscopy shows the AS-GG interaction and elucidates the mechanism of hydrogel formation. The physicochemical properties of the 3D-printed scaffold are analyzed to check the cell adhesion and growth; SEM images have confirmed that the AS-GG printed scaffold can support cell growth and proliferation, and the MTT assay shows good cell viability. Cell behavioral and migration studies reveal that cells are healthy. Since the scaffold is biocompatible, it can be 3D printed to any shape and structure and will biodegrade in the requisite time.

Multipurpose arrowroot starch films with anthocyanin-rich grape pomace extract: Color migration for food simulants and monitoring the freshness of fish meat.

Extraction of anthocyanins from grape pomace, is a way of valuing these abundant by-products with low added value. Its integration into films may allow it to be used in bioactive packaging, which creates new color and solubility properties for food and smart food packaging which tracks the freshness of fish. Films of arrowroot starch added with different concentrations of grape pomace extract (GPE) were flexible to handle, reddish and presented a high content of anthocyanins. The water vapor permeability increased by 17 %, while the tensile strength of arrowroot starch film decreased by 79 % with the addition of 40 % GPE. The addition of GPE increased the solubility of the starch film in aqueous and lipid food simulants by 121 and 119 %. The GPE pigment preferentially migrated to the aqueous simulant due to the hydrophilic nature of anthocyanins and starch. The GPE film showed distinguishable color changes in different pH buffer solutions from pink at pH 2 to light blue at pH 7 and slightly yellowish green at pH 10. When the composite films were monitored for fish meat freshness, the change in color of the film from reddish pink to slightly green after 96 h of storage at 25 °C was evident.

Improving AFLP analysis of large-scale patterns of genetic variation--a case study with the Central African lianas Haumania spp (Marantaceae) showing interspecific gene flow.

AFLP markers are often used to study patterns of population genetic variation and gene flow because they offer a good coverage of the nuclear genome, but the reliability of AFLP scoring is critical. To assess interspecific gene flow in two African rainforest liana species (Haumania danckelmaniana, H. liebrechtsiana) where previous evidence of chloroplast captures questioned the importance of hybridization and species boundaries, we developed new AFLP markers and a novel approach to select reliable bands from their degree of reproducibility. The latter is based on the estimation of the broad-sense heritability of AFLP phenotypes, an improvement over classical scoring error rates, which showed that the polymorphism of most AFLP bands was affected by a substantial nongenetic component. Therefore, using a quantitative genetics framework, we also modified an existing estimator of pairwise kinship coefficient between individuals correcting for the limited heritability of markers. Bayesian clustering confirms the recognition of the two Haumania species. Nevertheless, the decay of the relatedness between individuals of distinct species with geographic distance demonstrates that hybridization affects the nuclear genome. In conclusion, although we showed that AFLP markers might be substantially affected by nongenetic factors, their analysis using the new methods developed considerably advanced our understanding of the pattern of gene flow in our model species.

Anatomical and physical changes in leaves during the production of tamales.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Tamale preparation has a long tradition in Mexico. To understand which material properties have been considered important for this purpose throughout the years, a study was conducted of the anatomical, chemical, and mechanical properties of the leaves of four plant species used in tamale preparation in Veracruz, Mexico: Calathea misantlensis, Canna indica, Musa paradisiaca, and Oreopanax capitatus. METHODS: Four cooking treatments were considered: fresh (F), roasted (soasado, R), steamed (S), and roasted plus steamed (R/S). Chemical, anatomical, and mechanical analyses were conducted before and after each treatment. Leaf samples were tested for tensile strength at both parallel and perpendicular orientation relative to the fibers. KEY RESULTS: Musa paradisiaca had the highest proportion of cellulose, while the remaining species shared similar lower proportions. Leaves were stronger and stiffer in the longitudinal direction of the fibers. Musa paradisiaca leaves had higher values of mechanical strength than the other species. The cooking process that most affected the mechanical properties was steaming. CONCLUSIONS: The chemical constituents of the leaves are closely correlated with their physical properties. The treatment that caused the greatest decrease in leaf physical integrity was steaming, while the combination of roasting and steaming showed similar results to those of steaming alone. No evident anatomical changes are produced by any of the treatments. This is one of the few studies comparing physical, chemical, and anatomical characteristics of leaves used for human consumption, before and after cooking.

Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemical and Nutra-pharmaceutical Potentials of Indian Arrowroot (Curcuma angustifolia Roxb).

Indian Arrowroot (Curcuma angustifolia Roxb) belonging to the Zingiberaceae family is widely distributed in India and some parts of Nepal, Thailand, Bangladesh and Pakistan. It is traditionally used as medicine for treating various diseases and also used as food. Few data are available about its application in pharmacology and therapeutics. Literature search for related contents, keywords such as "Curcuma angustifolia Roxb", "traditional food", "ethnomedicine", "pharmacology", "phytochemicals", "pharmacological activities" were used in search engines including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Semantic Scholar. Secondary metabolites found in Indian Arrowroot include essential oils, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phytosterols, terpenes, phenols, and others. Pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-ulcerogenic, hepatoprotective, and anti-cancerous activities have been shown by Indian Arrowroot (Curcuma angustifolia Roxb). The presence of nutritional value and pharmaceutical potential gained demand in the various food production industries and pharmacology research. It may play a vital role in future studies of Curcuma angustifolia Roxb as ethnomedicine and further exploitation in pharmacological studies.

Segmenting data sets for RIP.

Specific radiation damage can be used for the phasing of macromolecular crystal structures. In practice, however, the optimization of the X-ray dose used to `burn' the crystal to induce specific damage can be difficult. Here, a method is presented in which a single large data set that has not been optimized in any way for radiation-damage-induced phasing (RIP) is segmented into multiple sub-data sets, which can then be used for RIP. The efficacy of this method is demonstrated using two model systems and two test systems. A method to improve the success of this type of phasing experiment by varying the composition of the two sub-data sets with respect to their separation by image number, and hence by absorbed dose, as well as their individual completeness is illustrated.

Single-drop optimization of protein crystallization.

A completely new crystal-growth device has been developed that permits charting a course across the phase diagram to produce crystalline samples optimized for diffraction experiments. The utility of the device is demonstrated for the production of crystals for the traditional X-ray diffraction data-collection experiment, of microcrystals optimal for data-collection experiments at a modern microbeam insertion-device synchrotron beamline and of nanocrystals required for data collection on an X-ray laser beamline.