Modulatory role of nitric oxide in wound healing of potato tubers

IntroductionWounding of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) tubers affects the postharvest storage qualities and marketability. To mitigate wound-related losses, it is necessary to accelerate wound healing (WH) responses of potato tubers. While role of nitric oxide (NO) in healing of wounded biological tissues is well known, its impact on WH responses of potato tubers has not been examined thoroughly. The aim of this study was to elucidate the potential modulatory role of NO in WH response of potato tubers by determining the activity of key enzymes associated with NO biosynthesis.MethodsUsing a model wounding system, tuber tissue discs were extracted from mini tubers of cv. Russet Burbank to examine their WH responses. Tuber discs were treated with NO related chemicals, such as NO scavenger, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, and NO donors. The effect of these treatments on in vitro production of NO, activity of nitrate reductase, NOS, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase were determined. The accumulation of suberin polyphenolics (SPP) in wounded parenchyma cells, an indicator of early suberization process, was analyzed histologically.ResultsTreatment of tuber tissues with the higher dose of an NO scavenger (2-phenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) at the time of wounding completely ceased SPP accumulation between 0 h to 3 d after wounding. Increased production of NO and enhanced activity of NOS were also observed immediately after wounding of the tuber tissues. The results suggest that NO is a key biological modulator in WH responses of potato tubers and could be optimized as a potential exogenous treatment to counter wound-related losses

Corn distiller’s dried grains with solubles as a target for fermentation to improve bioactive functionality for animal feed and as a source for a novel microorganism with antibacterial activity

Plant-based bioenergy by-products such as corn distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are widely utilized as animal feed sources and feed ingredients due to their balanced nutritional profile and animal health protective functional qualities. Bioprocessing of this bioenergy by-product using beneficial lactic acid bacteria (LAB)-based fermentation strategy to improve animal-health targeted functional qualities has wider relevance for animal feed applications. In this study, liquid extracts of corn DDGS were fermented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus helveticus. The unfermented and fermented extracts were then analyzed (at 0, 24, 48 and 72-h) for their total soluble phenolic content (TSP), phenolic profile, antioxidant activity via ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity, and antimicrobial activity against the gut pathogen Helicobacter pylori using in vitro assay models. Statistical differences in antioxidant activity and phenolic content were observed among the unfermented and fermented extracts. The major phenolic compounds detected in corn DDGS were gallic, dihydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric, caffeic and ferulic acid, and catechin. Antimicrobial activity against H. pylori was observed for the unfermented extracts and the antimicrobial activity was attributed to the growth of a corn DDGS-endemic culture. The culture was isolated, sequenced, and identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Results of this study indicated that processing strategies of by-products such as LAB- based fermentation of corn DDGS could affect its bioactive-linked functional qualities due to microbial interaction with the phytochemicals. Furthermore, plant by-products can serve as novel sources of beneficial microflora that have relevance in wider agriculture, food safety, and therapeutic applications

Tension band wiring of fracture distal end of clavicle: Favorable clinical outcome among the patients

Background: A fracture of the clavicle is common traumatic injury. It can be classified into middle third, medial third, and distal third fractures. Around 10–15% of clavicle fractures occur in the distal third. The ideal method of fixation in distal third clavicle fracture remains controversial till date. Aims and Objectives: The clinical outcome of the patients having fracture of the distal end clavicle using rigid fixation with tension band wiring (TBW) with Kirshner wires and SS wire to be assessed instead of other conventional procedures. Materials and Methods: Eight patients of Neer type II closed distal-third clavicle fracture of <3 weeks of duration were included in our study. The fractures were reduced by open reduction and fixed with TBW with two K-wires and SS wire. Results: The mean average age of patients was 41.87 years. All fractures united clinically and radiologically. The mean average time of union was 12 weeks. There was two case of hardware prominence, no fracture related complications. One case of superficial infection was found in study. All of them regained near normal range of motion, and the mean average constant Murley score for distal clavicle fracture at the end of 1 year was 88. At the end of 1 year follow-up, all patients had reached their pre-injury performance levels. Conclusion: There was an encouraging result with TBW in distal third clavicle fracture in our study. This technique is simple with lesser need of expertise and is also cost effective

Proline-associated antioxidant enzyme response in cool-season turfgrasses under abiotic stress

In the northern United States, substantial turfgrass loss occurs due to severe and prolonged cold stress during winter. Cool-season turfgrass is generally have higher cold tolerance characteristic, however large energy inputs are required for preparation and recovery of turfgrass from cold stress. Freezing injury of turfgrass can have an economic and environmental impact as well as reduced aesthetic values of commercial turfgrass. Although maximum damage occurs during late winter to early spring, during deacclimation, but the biological process during acclimation (late fall to early winter) governs significant role for cold tolerance mechanism. Stimulation of the antioxidant response system, phenolic synthesis, biosynthesis of other protective metabolites, and shifts in overall metabolic pathways are common responses in plants during biotic and abiotic stresses. Genetic heterogeneity is major drawback for induction of phenolic production for higher fitness in specific varieties during stress in cross-pollinated species like seeded creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.). Therefore, one major aim of this dissertation was screening and selection of single seed origin high phenolic creeping bentgrass clonal lines from a heterogeneous seed source and evaluation of these lines under different stress conditions. Further, the performance of other cool-season turfgrasses (perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue) under cold and UV-B stress, was evaluated to understand the role of antioxidant enzyme response and proline-associated pentose phosphate pathway in these species during abiotic stress. Results indicated a significant genetic heterogeneity among single seed origin creeping bentgrass clonal lines. High phenolic clonal lines showed higher antioxidant activity and greater fitness during cold stress. Exogenous application of natural antioxidant stimulator significantly improved the fitness of these clonal lines by stimulating antioxidant enzyme response and higher phenolic biosynthesis. Significant biochemical adjustments were observed in cool-season turfgrasses during cold acclimation which may govern their fitness during winter injury. A strong association between proline synthesis and pentose phosphate pahway stimulation was found in cool-season turfgrasses under stress-induced conditions. Higher pentose phosphate pathway stimulation along with proline accumulation and enhanced phenolic synthesis were most significant responses observed in the investigated turfgrass species during cold and UV-B stress. Among different antioxidant enzymes, guaiacol peroxidase activity was consistently higher in these turfgrasses, while superoxide dismutase and catalase activity varied widely with species and clonal lines. Stimulation of phenolic biosynthesis coupled with proline-associated pentose phosphate pathway was also reflected in higher photochemical efficiency and higher visual quality of turfgrasses under cold and UV-B stress

Indian Floriculture in Global Perspective

The flower is the most satisfying creation on Earth and makes billions of people happy and smile. The presence of flowers is required at all stages of the human life cycle, from conception to death. Flowers represent feelings like love, beauty, purity, and passion. Growing in importance as a farming method for economic reasons is floriculture. The floriculture business has a growth potential of 25–30% and generate 20–25 times more foreign exchange than grains or other agricultural crops. The flower sector has recently developed into one of the most active and quickly expanding industries, with a notable pace of growth over the past several years and global reach. Despite having lots of natural resources for effective flower growing, India still accounts for a tiny (0.6%) portion of the global flower trade. In terms of area and output of conventional loose flowers, India comes in second place to China. India takes approximately 15% of the global market for traditional loose flowers. The demand for flowers is growing both domestically and internationally, which puts countries in intense competition. With the right strategy and technological use, this industry will improve, and India may end up becoming a major producer and exporter of floricultural goods globally