Effect of Soybean Oil Fatty Acid Composition and Selenium Application on Biodiesel Properties

Biodiesel consisting principally of monounsaturated fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) has been reported to have the optimal balance between cold flow properties and oxidative stability, therefore producing a superior fuel. In addition, treating biodiesel with antioxidants such as selenium (Se) also increases oxidative stability. Fuel properties including acid value (AV), cloud point (CP), iodine value (IV), pour point (PP), peroxide value (PV), induction period (IP), onset temperature (OT), and kinematic viscosity (KV) were used to evaluate a newly developed Roundup Ready® soybean recombinant inbred line (RIL) and a commercial cultivar. The RIL had a fatty acid profile with elevated levels of monounsaturated FAME. TN07-93RR was determined as the more desirable line for production of biodiesel, based on its fatty acid composition and subsequent fuel properties. The commercial cultivar AG3906 contained the highest abundance of polyunsaturated FAME and exhibited comparatively high IV and low oxidative stability. AG3906 was therefore not acceptable under the European biodiesel standard, EN 14214. However, TN07-93RR and AG3906 both were considered satisfactory according to the American biodiesel standard, ASTM D6751. Foliar treatment of soybean plants with varying amounts of Se had no effect on subsequent biodiesel oxidative stabilities

Enhancement of glucosinolate and isothiocyanate profiles in brassicaceae crops: addressing challenges in breeding for cultivation, storage, and consumer-related traits

Glucosinolates (GSLs) and isothiocyanates (ITCs) produced by Brassicaceae plants are popular targets for analysis due to the health benefits associated with them. Breeders aim to increase the concentrations in commercial varieties; however, there are few examples of this. The most well-known is Beneforté broccoli, which has increased glucoraphanin/ sulforaphane concentrations compared to those of conventional varieties. It was developed through traditional breeding methods with considerations for processing, consumption, and health made throughout this process. Many studies presented in the literature do not take a holistic approach, and key points about breeding, cultivation methods, postharvest storage, sensory attributes, and consumer preferences are not properly taken into account. In this review, we draw together data for multiple species and address how such factors can influence GSL profiles. We encourage researchers and institutions to engage with industry and consumers to produce research that can be utilized in the improvement of Brassicaceae crops

Cytochrome P450 Inhibitors Reduce Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) Tolerance to Topramezone

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) is moderately tolerant to the p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase-inhibiting herbicide topramezone. However, the contribution of plant metabolism of topramezone to this tolerance is unknown. Experiments were conducted to determine if known cytochrome P450 monooxygenase inhibitors 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT) and malathion alone or in combination with the herbicide safener cloquintocet-mexyl influence creeping bentgrass tolerance to topramezone. Creeping bentgrass in hydroponic culture was treated with ABT (70 μM), malathion (70 μm and 1000 g ha(-1)), or cloquintocet-mexyl (70 μM and 1000 g ha(-1)) prior to topramezone (8 g ha(-1)) application. Topramezone-induced injury to creeping bentgrass increased from 22% when applied alone to 79 and 41% when applied with malathion or ABT, respectively. Cloquintocet-mexyl (70 μM and 1000 g ha(-1)) reduced topramezone injury to 1% and increased creeping bentgrass biomass and PSII quantum yield. Cloquintocet-mexyl mitigated the synergistic effects of ABT more than those of malathion. The effects of malathion on topramezone injury were supported by creeping bentgrass biomass responses. Responses to ABT and malathion suggest that creeping bentgrass tolerance to topramezone is influenced by cytochrome P450-catalyzed metabolism. Future research should elucidate primary topramezone metabolites and determine the contribution of cytochrome P450 monooxygenases and glutathione S-transferases to metabolite formation in safened and non-safened creeping bentgrass

Decomposers and root feeders interactively affect plant defence in Sinapis alba

Aboveground herbivory is well known to change plant growth and defence. In contrast, effects of soil organisms, acting alone or in concert, on allocation patterns are less well understood. We investigated separate and combined effects of the endogeic earthworm species Aporrectodea caliginosa and the root feeding nematode species Pratylenchus penetrans and Meloidogyne incognita on plant responses including growth and defence metabolite concentrations in leaves of white mustard, Sinapis alba. Soil biota had a strong impact on plant traits, with the intensity varying due to species combinations. Nematode infestation reduced shoot biomass and nitrogen concentration but only in the absence of earthworms. Earthworms likely counteracted the negative effects of nematodes. Infestation with the migratory lesion-nematode P. penetrans combined with earthworms led to increased root length. Earthworm biomass increased in the presence of this species, indicating that these nematodes increased the food resources of earthworms—presumably dead and decaying roots. Nitrogen-based defence compounds, i.e. glucosinolates, did not correlate with nitrogen levels. In the presence of earthworms, concentrations of aromatic glucosinolates in leaves were significantly increased. In contrast, infection with P. penetrans strongly decreased concentrations of glucosinolates (up to 81%). Infestation with the sedentary nematode M. incognita induced aromatic glucosinolates by more than 50% but only when earthworms were also present. Myrosinase activities, glucosinolate-hydrolysing enzymes, were unaffected by nematodes but reduced in the presence of earthworms. Our results document that root-feeding nematodes elicit systemic plant responses in defence metabolites, with the responses varying drastically with nematode species of different functional groups. Furthermore, systemic plant responses are also altered by decomposer animals, such as earthworms, challenging the assumption that induction of plant responses including defence traits is restricted to herbivores. Soil animals even interact and modulate the individual effects on plant growth and plant defence, thereby likely also influencing shoot herbivore attack

Pre-harvest Cultural Growing Conditions Can Influence Carotenoid Phytochemical Concentrations in Vegetable Crops

Carotenoids are secondary plant metabolites that serve antioxidant functions in plant photosynthetic processes, as well as in actions of disease reduction in mammalian systems. The antioxidant activity associated with carotenoids is attributed to their unique chemical structures. The production of antioxidant compounds within plants can increase, or decrease, in response to various forms of environmental stress. Stress is a term used to collectively describe numerous conditions that can have negative impacts on plant performance. Stress responses form continuums from very rapid physiological changes to much slower morphological changes. Plant secondary metabolites, such as carotenoids, serve functional roles to overcome the negative consequences to plant growth and development caused by a stressful environment. Carotenoid accumulation appears to be shaped by a plant species’ physiological, genetic, and biochemical attributes, as well as environmental growth factors, such as light, temperature, and soil fertility. Pre-harvest cultural management factors will also influence the accumulation of carotenoids in plant foods. Carotenoid accumulations have been shown to change in response to environmental manipulations, which can increase stress imposed on the growing plants. Changes in the growing air temperature, irradiance level, irradiance photoperiod, and nutritional fertility regime can all influence plant carotenoid accumulations. Manipulation of cultural growing conditions and time of harvest will influence plant physiological status, which can determine phytochemical (carotenoid) concentrations present in fruit and vegetable crops

Genetic Variability for Lutein Concentrations in Leafy Vegetable Crops Can Influence Serum Carotenoid Levels and Macular Pigment Optical Density in Human Subjects

Leafy vegetables are important sources of dietary carotenoids and rank highest for reported lutein concentrations. We have shown previously that lutein concentrations can range from 4.8 to 13.4 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW) for kale (Brassica oleracea L.), from 6.5 to 13.0 mg/100 g FW for spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), and from 4.1 to 8.3 mg/100 g FW for basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cultigens. Lutein and zeaxanthin are typically the only carotenoids present in the eye, where they are responsible for the yellow pigmentation referred to as macular pigment. Macular pigment conveys antioxidant and photo-protective functions that help prevent the onset of aging eye diseases. Increasing intakes of carotenoid-rich foods can increase serum carotenoids and macular pigment in some, but not all individuals. Our main objective was to assess the dietary impact of lutein after consumption of spinach differing in tissue lutein concentrations (8.4 vs. 12.1 mg lutein/100 g FW). Research compared blood serum carotenoid profiles and macular pigment optical densities (MPOD) in human subjects consuming the different spinach products. Heterochromatic flicker photometry determined MPOD responses. Average blood serum lutein concentrations increased significantly from the baseline to the end of a 12-week intervention in subjects consuming the high-lutein spinach. Average MPOD did not change for the no-spinach (control) or low-lutein spinach group. The high-lutein spinach group demonstrated increases in MPOD at 30’ eccentricity between the baseline and 12-weeks. Results emphasize the role of cultigen selection among vegetable crops in determining phytochemical effects on human health

Total Sulfur and Sulfate Accumulation in Onion Is Affected by Sulfur Fertility

Because sulfate (SO4-2) accumulation patterns were unknown in onion, a study was conducted to determine how three onion varieties accumulated total bulb-sulfur (S) and bulb-SO4-2 in response to increasing S-fertility. Plants were greenhouse grown in pots containing washed river sand and fertilized with five different nutrient solutions possessing SO4-2 concentrations of 5, 25, 50, 75, or 150 mg liter1 until the plants were mature. Bulbs were harvested and analyzed for total-S, SO4-2, and pungency, as measured by enzymatically developed pyruvic acid (EPY). Bulbs accumulated significant levels of SO4-2 and S. The amount of bulb-SO4-2 and bulb-S increased linearly as S-fertility increased. The three varieties differed in total bulb-S, bulb-SO4-2, the percent of total bulb-S accumulated as SO4-2, and EPY. Bulb-SO4-2 ranged from 0.047 to 0.318 % dry mass in response to S-fertility level and variety, while total bulb-S ranged from 0.154 to 0.535% dry mass. Diverse S and SO4-2 accumulation and utilization patterns denoted complex S metabolism for onion in relation to flavor development