Synchronized somatic embryo development in embryogenic suspensions of grapevine Muscadinia rotundifolia (Michx.) Small

High-frequency, synchronous embryogenic systems in liquid culture facilitate plant regeneration and can be used as an essential model for performing functional genomics studies and understanding molecular aspect of the ontogenesis of higher plants. In the present study, synchronous somatic embryogenic cultures were developed for Muscadinia rotundifolia cv. Darlene and Vitis vinifera cv. Velika. High cell density and presence of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) proved to be essential for the establishment of the suspension cultures. Low cell density and continuous availability of auxin (2,4-D) was crucial for maintenance of suspension cultures. High cell density and withdrawal of 2,4-D is sufficient to advance somatic embryo development toward embryo differentiation and plantlets regeneration. Cells and cell clusters fractionation by density gradient centrifugation in Ficoll solution demonstrated to be a suitable method for separation of subpopulations with various potential for embryo development. The high frequency of synchronous development and differentiation of somatic embryos was attained essentially for the heaviest (at 16-18 % and >18 % Ficoll layer) cell population

Novel merwinite/akermanite ceramics: in vitro bioactivity

The ceramics in the system CaO – MgO – SiO2 has recently received a great deal of attention because they exhibit good in vitro bioactivity and have potential use as bone implants. Biphasic calcium-magnesium-silicate ceramics was prepared by a sol-gel method. The dried gel with chemical composition 3CaO.MgO.2SiO2 was thermally treated at 1300°C for 2 h. The structural behavior of the synthesized ceramics was examined by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Merwinite, as the main crystalline phase, and akermanite, as the minor phase, were identified. The in vitro bioactivity of the synthesized ceramic samples was recorded in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) for different times of soaking. The apatite formation on the surface of the immersed samples was detected by FTIR, SEM and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. The ion concentrations in the SBF solutions after the in vitro test were evaluated by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). On the basis of the results obtained, the ability of the biphasic ceramics to deposit apatite layer was found. The peculiarities of the formation of apatite layer depending on the phase composition were analyzed and discussed

Metabolic constituents of grapevine and grape-derived products

The numerous uses of the grapevine fruit, especially for wine and beverages, have made it one of the most important plants worldwide. The phytochemistry of grapevine is rich in a wide range of compounds. Many of them are renowned for their numerous medicinal uses. The production of grapevine metabolites is highly conditioned by many factors like environment or pathogen attack. Some grapevine phytoalexins have gained a great deal of attention due to their antimicrobial activities, being also involved in the induction of resistance in grapevine against those pathogens. Meanwhile grapevine biotechnology is still evolving, thanks to the technological advance of modern science, and biotechnologists are making huge efforts to produce grapevine cultivars of desired characteristics. In this paper, important metabolites from grapevine and grape derived products like wine will be reviewed with their health promoting effects and their role against certain stress factors in grapevine physiology

Novel merwinite/akermanite ceramics: in vitro bioactivity

The ceramics in the system CaO-MgO-SiO2 has recently received a great deal of attention because they exhibit good in vitro bioactivity and have potential use as bone implants. Biphasic calcium-magnesium-silicate ceramics was prepared by a sol-gel method. The dried gel with chemical composition 3CaO.MgO.2SiO(2) was thermally treated at 1300 degrees C for 2 h. The structural behavior of the synthesized ceramics was examined by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Merwinite, as the main crystalline phase, and akermanite, as the minor phase, were identified. The in vitro bioactivity of the synthesized ceramic samples was recorded in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) for different times of soaking. The apatite formation on the surface of the immersed samples was detected by FTIR, SEM and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. The ion concentrations in the SBF solutions after the in vitro test were evaluated by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). On the basis of the results obtained, the ability of the biphasic ceramics to deposit apatite layer was found. The peculiarities of the formation of apatite layer depending on the phase composition were analyzed and discussed

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)

UMR AGAP - Equipe DAAV (Diversité, adaptation et amélioration de la vigne)Grapevine ( Vitis) is considered to be one of the major fruit crops in the world based on hectares cultivated and economic value. Grapes are used not only for wine but also for fresh fruit, dried fruit, and juice production. Wine is by far the major product of grapes, and the focus of this chapter is on wine grape cultivars. Grapevine cultivars of Vitis vinifera L. have a reputation for producing premium quality wines. These premium quality wines are produced from a small number of cultivars that enjoy a high level of consumer acceptance and are firmly entrenched in the market place because of varietal name branding and the association of certain wine styles and regions with specific cultivars. In light of this situation, grapevine improvement by a transgenic approach is attractive when compared to a classical breeding approach. The transfer of individual traits as single genes with a minimum disruption to the original genome would leave the traditional characteristics of the cultivar intact. However, a reliable transformation system is required for a successful transgenic approach to grapevine improvement. There are three criteria for achieving an efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation system: (1) the production of highly regenerative transformable tissue, (2) optimal cocultivation conditions for both grapevine tissue and Agrobacterium, and (3) an efficient selection regime for transgenic plant regeneration. In this chapter, we describe a grapevine transformation system that meets these criteria. We also describe a protocol for the production of transformed roots suitable for functional gene studies and for the production of semi-transgenic grafted plants

Grape and wine biotechnology: challenges, opportunities and potential benefits

The image of wine as a harmonious blend of nature, art and science invites tension between tradition and innovation, and no tension in the business of making wine is greater than that brought into play by the potential afforded by 21st century grape and wine biotechnology. The challenge is to realise the potential of technological innovation without stripping the ancient art of grapegrowing and winemaking of its charm, mysticism and romanticism. Equally challenging is the multitude of complex and interconnected agronomic, business, regulatory and social obstacles currently blocking commercial availability of transgenic grapes, wine yeast and malolactic bacterial starter strains. While the need to assess rigorously the potential negative impacts of new technologies is self-evident, over the long term, failure to overcome these hurdles will disadvantage the international wine sector and consumers alike. This contention is illustrated with reference to recent examples of genetically improved grapevine, yeast and bacterial prototypes showing potential for enhanced, cost-effective production of wine with minimised resource inputs, improved quality and low environmental impact