Ekstrak Virgin Coconut Oil Sebagai Sumber Pangan Fungsional

Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) merupakan salah satu jenis minyak nabati yang dapat bermanfaat dari aspek medis dan nutrisi karena dapat mencegah dan membantu mengobati penyakit tertentu serta dapat mempermudah proses pencernaan makanan dan penyerapan gizi. VCO dapat bertindak sebagai antioksidan dan antifotooksidan yang disebabkan oleh kandungan komponen minor (mikronutrien). Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengekstrak komponen minor VCO menjadi produk untuk pangan fungsional yang mampu berperan sebagai antioksidan dan mengetahui peran VCO sebagai antiradikal bebas secara in vitro. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode eksperimental dengan 3 tahap yaitu: 1. Ekstraksi VCO menggunakan pelarut etanol dan metanol, 2. Pengujian penangkapan radikal bebas ekstrak VCO secara in vitro dengan metode 1,1-difenil-2-pikrilhidrazil (DPPH), 3. Identifikasi dan pengujian komponen kimia pada ekstrak VCO, identifikasi dan pengujian komponen minor pada ekstrak VCO dengan menggunakan High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa rendemen ekstrak VCO semakin tinggi dengan semakin tingginya persentase pelarut, ekstraksi dengan menggunakan etanol menghasilkan rendemen ekstrak yang lebih tinggi dibanding dengan menggunakan metanol. Aktivitas antioksidan dan kandungan total tokoferol dari ekstrak VCO semakin tinggi dengan semakin tingginya persentase pelarut yang digunakan. Salah satu senyawa tokoferol yang terdapat dalam VCO adalah -tokoferol. Berdasarkan analisa statistik menunjukkan bahwa etanol dan metanol menghasilkan sifat kimia ekstrak yang relatif sama, sehingga dapat direkomendasikan bahwa untuk mengekstraksi komponen minor dari VCO dapat menggunakan etanol karena di samping aman dari aspek kesehatan juga dapat menghasilkan rendemen ekstrak yang lebih tinggi

Mathematical Modelling in Plant Synthetic Biology

Mathematical modelling techniques are integral to current research in plant synthetic biology. Modelling approaches can provide mechanistic understanding of a system, allowing predictions of behaviour and thus providing a tool to help design and analyse biological circuits. In this chapter, we provide an overview of mathematical modelling methods and their significance for plant synthetic biology. Starting with the basics of dynamics, we describe the process of constructing a model over both temporal and spatial scales and highlight crucial approaches, such as stochastic modelling and model-based design. Next, we focus on the model parameters and the techniques required in parameter analysis. We then describe the process of selecting a model based on tests and criteria and proceed to methods that allow closer analysis of the system's behaviour. Finally, we highlight the importance of uncertainty in modelling approaches and how to deal with a lack of knowledge, noisy data, and biological variability; all aspects that play a crucial role in the cooperation between the experimental and modelling components. Overall, this chapter aims to illustrate the importance of mathematical modelling in plant synthetic biology, providing an introduction for those researchers who are working with or working on modelling techniques

Quantitative analysis of MBW complex formation in the context of trichome patterning

Trichome patterning in Arabidopsis is regulated by R2R3MYB, bHLH and WDR (MBW) genes. These are considered to form a trimeric MBW protein complex that promotes trichome formation. The MBW proteins are engaged in a regulatory network to select trichome cells among epidermal cells through R3MYB proteins that can move between cells and repress the MBW complex by competitive binding with the R2R3MYB to the bHLHL protein. We use quantitative pull-down assays to determine the relative dissociation constants for the protein-protein interactions of the involved genes. We find similar binding strength between the trichome promoting genes and weaker binding of the R3MYB inhibitors. We used the dissociation constants to calculate the relative percentage of all possible complex combinations and found surprisingly low fractions of those complexes that are typically considered to be relevant for the regulation events. Finally, we predict an increased robustness in patterning as a consequence of higher ordered complexes mediated by GL3 dimerization

Comparative expression analysis in three Brassicaceae species revealed compensatory changes of the underlying gene regulatory network

Trichomes are regularly distributed on the leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana. The gene regulatory network underlying trichome patterning involves more than 15 genes. However, it is possible to explain patterning with only five components. This raises the questions about the function of the additional components and the identification of the core network. In this study, we compare the relative expression of all patterning genes in A. thaliana, A. alpina and C. hirsuta by qPCR analysis and use mathematical modelling to determine the relative importance of patterning genes. As the involved proteins exhibit evolutionary conserved differential complex formation, we reasoned that the genes belonging to the core network should exhibit similar expression ratios in different species. However, we find several striking differences of the relative expression levels. Our analysis of how the network can cope with such differences revealed relevant parameters that we use to predict the relevant molecular adaptations in the three species

Presentation_1_Comparative expression analysis in three Brassicaceae species revealed compensatory changes of the underlying gene regulatory network.pdf

Trichomes are regularly distributed on the leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana. The gene regulatory network underlying trichome patterning involves more than 15 genes. However, it is possible to explain patterning with only five components. This raises the questions about the function of the additional components and the identification of the core network. In this study, we compare the relative expression of all patterning genes in A. thaliana, A. alpina and C. hirsuta by qPCR analysis and use mathematical modelling to determine the relative importance of patterning genes. As the involved proteins exhibit evolutionary conserved differential complex formation, we reasoned that the genes belonging to the core network should exhibit similar expression ratios in different species. However, we find several striking differences of the relative expression levels. Our analysis of how the network can cope with such differences revealed relevant parameters that we use to predict the relevant molecular adaptations in the three species.</p

DataSheet_1_Quantitative analysis of MBW complex formation in the context of trichome patterning.pdf

Trichome patterning in Arabidopsis is regulated by R2R3MYB, bHLH and WDR (MBW) genes. These are considered to form a trimeric MBW protein complex that promotes trichome formation. The MBW proteins are engaged in a regulatory network to select trichome cells among epidermal cells through R3MYB proteins that can move between cells and repress the MBW complex by competitive binding with the R2R3MYB to the bHLHL protein. We use quantitative pull-down assays to determine the relative dissociation constants for the protein-protein interactions of the involved genes. We find similar binding strength between the trichome promoting genes and weaker binding of the R3MYB inhibitors. We used the dissociation constants to calculate the relative percentage of all possible complex combinations and found surprisingly low fractions of those complexes that are typically considered to be relevant for the regulation events. Finally, we predict an increased robustness in patterning as a consequence of higher ordered complexes mediated by GL3 dimerization.</p

Identification of the Trichome Patterning Core Network Using Data from Weak ttg1 Alleles to Constrain the Model Space

The regular distribution of trichomes on leaves in Arabidopsis is a well-understood model system for two-dimensional pattern formation. It involves more than 10 genes and is governed by two patterning principles, the activator-inhibitor (AI) and the activator-depletion (AD) mechanisms, though their relative contributions are unknown. The complexity of gene interactions, protein interactions, and intra- and intercellular mobility of proteins makes it very challenging to understand which aspects are relevant for pattern formation. In this study, we use global mathematical methods combined with a constraining of data to identify the structure of the underlying network. To constrain the model, we perform a genetic, cell biological, and biochemical study of weak ttg1 alleles. We find that the core of trichome patterning is a combination of AI and AD mechanisms differentiating between two pathways activating the long-range inhibitor CPC and the short-range inhibitor TRY