A metabolome analysis and the immunity of Phlomis purpurea against Phytophthora cinnamomi

Phlomis purpurea grows spontaneously in the southern Iberian Peninsula, namely in cork oak (Quercus suber) forests. In a previous transcriptome analysis, we reported on its immunity against Phytophthora cinnamomi. However, little is known about the involvement of secondary metabolites in the P. purpurea defense response. It is known, though, that root exudates are toxic to this pathogen. To understand the involvement of secondary metabolites in the defense of P. purpurea, a metabolome analysis was performed using the leaves and roots of plants challenged with the pathogen for over 72 h. The putatively identified compounds were constitutively produced. Alkaloids, fatty acids, flavonoids, glucosinolates, polyketides, prenol lipids, phenylpropanoids, sterols, and terpenoids were differentially produced in these leaves and roots along the experiment timescale. It must be emphasized that the constitutive production of taurine in leaves and its increase soon after challenging suggests its role in P. purpurea immunity against the stress imposed by the oomycete. The rapid increase in secondary metabolite production by this plant species accounts for a concerted action of multiple compounds and genes on the innate protection of Phlomis purpurea against Phytophthora cinnamomi. The combination of the metabolome with the transcriptome data previously disclosed confirms the mentioned innate immunity of this plant against a devastating pathogen. It suggests its potential as an antagonist in phytopathogens’ biological control. Its application in green forestry/agriculture is therefore possible.2022.07433.CEECINDinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Development of flexible zein-wax composite and zein-fatty acid blend films for controlled release of lysozyme

The aim of this study was controlled release of lysozyme by modification of hydrophobicity and morphology of zein films using composite and blend film making methods. The incorporation of beeswax, carnauba or candelilla wax into films at 5% (w/w) of zein gave composite films containing amorphous wax particles, while incorporation of oleic acid into film at 5% of zein caused formation of blend films containing many spherical zein capsules within their matrix. The lysozyme release rates of composites reduced as the melting point of waxes increased. The composites and blends showed 2.5 to 17 fold lower lysozyme release rates than controls. The films were effectively plasticized by using catechin. The catechin also provided antioxidant activity of films (up to 69 mu mol Trolox/cm(2)) and contributed to their controlled release properties by reducing film porosity. The films showed antimicrobial activity against Listeria innocua. This work showed the possibility of obtaining advanced edible films having flexibility, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity and controlled release properties.Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (108M353

Molecular genetic analysis of a cattle population to reconstitute the extinct Algarvia breed

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Decisions to initiate conservation programmes need to account for extant variability, diversity loss and cultural and economic aspects. Molecular markers were used to investigate if putative Algarvia animals could be identified for use as progenitors in a breeding programme to recover this nearly extinct breed.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>46 individuals phenotypically representative of Algarvia cattle were genotyped for 27 microsatellite loci and compared with 11 Portuguese autochthonous and three imported breeds. Genetic distances and factorial correspondence analyses (FCA) were performed to investigate the relationship among Algarvia and related breeds. Assignment tests were done to identify representative individuals of the breed. Y chromosome and mtDNA analyses were used to further characterize Algarvia animals. Gene- and allelic-based conservation analyses were used to determine breed contributions to overall genetic diversity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Genetic distance and FCA results confirmed the close relationship between Algarvia and southern Portuguese breeds. Assignment tests without breed information classified 17 Algarvia animals in this cluster with a high probability (q > 0.95). With breed information, 30 cows and three bulls were identified (q > 0.95) that could be used to reconstitute the Algarvia breed. Molecular and morphological results were concordant. These animals showed intermediate levels of genetic diversity (MNA = 6.0 ± 1.6, R_t = 5.7 ± 1.4, H_o = 0.63 ± 0.19 and H_e = 0.69 ± 0.10) relative to other Portuguese breeds. Evidence of inbreeding was also detected (F_is = 0.083, <it>P</it> < 0.001). The four Algarvia bulls had Y-haplotypes H6Y2 and H11Y2, common in Portuguese cattle. The mtDNA composition showed prevalence of T3 matrilines and presence of the African-derived T1a haplogroup. This analysis confirmed the genetic proximity of Algarvia and Garvonesa breeds (F_st = 0.028, <it>P</it> > 0.05). Algarvia cattle provide an intermediate contribution (CB = 6.18, CW = -0.06 and D1 = 0.50) to the overall gene diversity of Portuguese cattle. Algarvia and seven other autochthonous breeds made no contribution to the overall allelic diversity.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Molecular analyses complemented previous morphological findings to identify 33 animals that can be considered remnants of the Algarvia breed. Results of genetic diversity and conservation analyses provide objective information to establish a management program to reconstitute the Algarvia breed.</p

Die Ikonographie der Maitreyafigur mit gekreuzten Füßen und des Tusita-Himmels, dargestellt anhand des Sutra von der Visualisierung der Wiedergeburt des Bodhisattva Maitreya im himmlischen Paradies Tusita

Basing much of my study on analysis and classification of 127 figures of Maitreya, I interpreted the iconography of this Bodhisattva and accompanied with my translation of the Maitreya Sutra "the visualization of the rebirth of the Bodhisattva Maitreya in the heavenly paradise Tusita". I took the contemplating figure of Maitreya with crossed legs in the grottos of Yungang, China, as the focus of my analysis and interpreted it as a "practicing visualization", based on the aforementioned sutra and on commentary about this sutra by the Silla monk Yonhyo. Yonhyo explained that adherents of Maitreya had to practice the visualization which was described in the sutra in order to attain future opportunities seeing Maitreya either in Tusita heaven or in Jambdvipa. And I also interpreted the crown of the contemplating figure, which is Korean National Treasure No.78. The crown of the contemplating figure No.78 described the palace of Maitreya in Tusita. This figure of Maitreya is practicing the visualization of heavenly paradise Tusita

Eight new Halophytophthora species from marine and brackish-water ecosystems in Portugal and an updated phylogeny for the genus

During an oomycete survey in December 2015, 10 previously unknown Halophytophthora taxa were isolated from marine and brackish water of tidal ponds and channels in saltmarshes, lagoon ecosystems and river estuaries at seven sites along the Algarve coast in the South of Portugal. Phylogenetic analyses of LSU and ITS datasets, comprising all described Halophytophthora species, the 10 new Halophytophthora taxa and all relevant and distinctive sequences available from GenBank, provided an updated phylogeny of the genus Halophytophthora s.str. showing for the first time a structure of 10 clades designated as Clades 1-10. Nine of the 10 new Halophytophthora taxa resided in Clade 6 together with H. polymorphica and H. vesicula. Based on differences in morphology and temperature-growth relations and a multigene (LSU, ITS, Btub, hsp90, rpl10, tigA, cox1, nadh1, rps10) phylo-geny, eight new Halophytophthora taxa from Portugal are described here as H. brevisporangia, H. cele-ris, H. frigida, H. lateralis, H. lusitanica, H. macrosporangia, H. sinuata and H. thermoambigua. Three species, H. frigida, H. macrosporangia and H. sinuata, have a homothallic breeding system while the remaining five species are sterile. Pathogenicity and litter decomposition tests are underway to clarify their pathological and ecological role in the marine and brackish-water ecosystems. More oomycete surveys in yet undersurveyed regions of the world and population genetic or phylogenomic analyses of global populations are needed to clarify the origin of the new Halophytophthora species.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio