Spatial and temporal expression analysis of D-myo-inositol 3-phosphate synthase (MIPS) gene family in Glycine max

Phytic acid, the principal storage form of phosphorus in plant seeds accounts for up to 60 to 80% of the total seed phosphorus content in soybean. Its accumulation increases linearly throughout seed  development and it strongly chelates essential mineral cations and charged proteins decreasing their bioavailability. D-Myo-inositol 3-phosphate synthase (MIPS; EC 5.5.1.4), the evolutionarily conserved enzyme in plants, catalyzes the first and the rate limiting step in phytic acid biosynthetic pathway. Aiming at controlling the level of phytate, we monitored the differential expression profile of four, previously reported, members of the MIPS gene family in developing seeds and vegetative tissues of soybean by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Transcript levels were measured relative to the endogenous reference gene eEF-1á (eukaryotic elongation factor 1-alpha) using SYBER-Green. The qRT-PCR data analysis indicated that the expression of the four highly conserved MIPS genes is both temporally and spatially regulated, information much needed for reverse genetic applications. MIPS1 exhibited high transcript levels in the early developing cotyledons with the levels peaking at around 4 to 6 mm seed size stage. Despite of high level of nucleotide sequence conservation amongst the MIPS gene family members, MIPS2, MIPS3 and MIPS4 were poorly expressed in developing seed tissues, although their transcript levels were relatively high in the other organ tissues. MIPS1 was however moderately expressed in seedlings where MIPS2 showed relatively higher expression levels. Among the four isoforms, MIPS4 had the highest transcript levels in the leaf tissue. The data was clearly indicative of the fact that the four isoforms had diverged regulatory elements resulting in their differential expression. Of the four members of the MIPS gene family, MIPS1 is thus the major isoform that had high expression in the developing seed tissues and can be targeted using the dsRNA induced sequence specific RNA degradation mechanism for reduction of phytate levels without affecting the critical aspects of inositol metabolism in other tissues of the plant.Key words: Soybean, MIPS isoforms, differential expression, endogenous reference gene, qRT-PCR

Low digestible starch and food industry: A changing paradigm

Globally, starch based foods including staples are consumed most as they contribute maximum towards the daily per capita energy. While the carbaholic nature resulting high post prandial glycemic response has led to a starch dilemma and innovative low glycemic profile grains as well as products are thus the need of the hour. The presence of two nutritional fractions – slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) which endorse the low glycemic potency is thus supplemented in food industry for developing low glycemic food prototypes. The unique characteristic of RS like bland flavour, white colour, low water holding capacity along with its prebiotic potential has made them a valuable component in functional foods. Many strategies are currently applied to increase the proportion of SDS and RS including physical, chemical, enzymatic as well as their combinations. Thus, considering the changing paradigm, the aim of this review is to understand the basic concepts of starch digestibility, inherent factors affecting digestibility, applications in food industry, current strategies, commercial counterparts as well as existing dietary regulations

Low digestible starch and food industry: A changing paradigm

830-841Globally, starch based foods including staples are consumed most as they contribute maximum towards the daily per capita energy. While the carbaholic nature resulting high post prandial glycemic response has led to a starch dilemma and innovative low glycemic profile grains as well as products are thus the need of the hour. The presence of two nutritional fractions – slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) which endorse the low glycemic potency is thus supplemented in food industry for developing low glycemic food prototypes. The unique characteristic of RS like bland flavour, white colour, low water holding capacity along with its prebiotic potential has made them a valuable component in functional foods. Many strategies are currently applied to increase the proportion of SDS and RS including physical, chemical, enzymatic as well as their combinations. Thus, considering the changing paradigm, the aim of this review is to understand the basic concepts of starch digestibility, inherent factors affecting digestibility, applications in food industry, current strategies, commercial counterparts as well as existing dietary regulations

Phytochemical profile of onion (Allium cepa) var. aggregatum: Comparative study of TNAU varieties with a local indigenous

Aggregatum onion (Allium cepa L. var. aggregatum Don.) is widely grown and consumed in southern India. Present study was carried during 2020–23 at Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University), Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu to map the metabolites and other dietary nutrients contributing to nutraceutical potentials between indigenous varieties and aggregatum onions varieties of Tamil Nadu. Experiment consisted of Co (On) 5 and Co (On) 6 (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University released varieties) and an indigenous variety from Perambalur (PL), Tamil Nadu. In the present study, metabolites of all the 3 varieties were mapped with the GCMS/MS, and the PL was shown to have high phytonutrients with health benefits. Further, in UHPLC, quercetin was identified with a sharp, well resolved symmetrical peak for all the three onion varieties with the retention time of 64.5, 65.5 and 64.5 min respectively. The Co (On) 6 is the improved variety of Co (On) 5 with a quercetin content of 75.05 ± 0.30 mg/kg, followed by PL (11.11 ± 0.51 mg/kg). However, the native cultivar PL (4.52 ± 0.15 mg/kg) has the highest anthocyanin content followed by Co (On) 6 (4.00 ± 0.10 mg/kg). This study therefore, provides preliminary information on metabolites and phenolics in the selected onion varieties of Tamil Nadu

Binary Interactions and Starch Bioavailability: Critical in Limiting Glycemic Response

Limiting starch bioavailability by modifying food matrix dynamics has evolved over the decade, which further envisions low glycemic starch prototypes to tackle chronic hyperglycemia. The dense matrix of whole grain foods like millets and cereals act as a suitable model to understand the dynamics of binary food matrix interactions between starch-lipid, starch-protein & starch-fiber. The state and types of matrix component (lipid/protein/fiber) which interact at various scales alters the starch micro configuration and limits the digestibility, but the mechanism is largely been ignored. Various in-vitro and in-vivo studies have deciphered the varied dimensions of physical interactions through depletion or augmentation studies to correlate towards a natural matrix and its low glycemic nature. The current chapter briefly encompasses the concept of food matrix types and binary interactions in mediating the glycemic amplitude of starch. We comprehensively elaborated and conceptually explained various approaches, which investigated the role of food matrices as complex real food systems or as fundamental approaches to defining the mechanisms. It’s a fact that multiple food matrix interaction studies at a time are difficult but it’s critical to understand the molecular interaction of matrix components to correlate in-vivo processes, which will assist in designing novel food prototypes in the future

The Role of Major Phenolics in Apple to Total Antioxidant Capacity

The naturally occurring phenolic compounds have received major attention in recent years as huge amounts of phenolic compounds can be extracted from fruits, vegetables and beverages that have substantial health benefits. From a physiological and metabolic aspect, phenolic compounds are vital in defence responses, such as anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-proliferative, anti-bacterial, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, cardioprotective activities. Among the fruits having a higher content of phenolic compounds, the apple (Malus Domestica) is the most widely consumed fruit in the world. Apples have a high nutritional value as it is a rich source of ascorbic acid, polyphenols and pectin. Apple peel forms a small percentage (6–8%) of the total fruit weight and contains the highest content of phenolic compounds, particularly chlorogenic acid. There are five major groups of polyphenolic compounds found in apples namely flavanols (Catechin, Epicatechin and Pyrocyanidins), phenolic compounds, phenolic acids (mainly Chlorogenic acids), dihydrochalcones (Phloretin glycosides), flavonols (Quercetin glycosides) and anthocyanins (Cyanidin). This chapter reviews the chemical properties, mode of action, types, extraction of phenolics in apples and the contribution and role of major phenolics in apples to the total antioxidant capacity

Nutritionally Enhanced Staple Food Crops

Crop biofortification is a sustainable and cost-effective strategy to address malnutrition in developing countries. This review synthesizes the progress toward developing seed micronutrient-dense cereals and legumes cultivars by exploiting natural genetic variation using conventional breeding and/or transgenic technology, and discusses the associated issues to strengthen crop biofortification research and development. Some major QTL for seed iron and zinc, seed phosphorus, and seed phytate in common bean, rice,J;md wheat have been mapped. An iron reductase QTL associated with seed-iron ~QTL is found in common bean where the genes coding for candidate enzymes involved in phytic acid synthesis have also been mapped. Candidate genes for Ipa co segregate with mutant phenotypes identified in rice and soybean. The Gpe-B1 locus in wild emmer wheat accelerates senescence and increases nutrient remobilization from leaves to developing seeds, and another gene named TtNAM-B1 affecting these traits has been cloned. Seed iron-dense common bean and rice in Latin America; seed iron-dense common bean in eastern and southern Africa;....

Interview with the Master Organelle – ‘Ribosome’

41-42An article that unveils some possible queries addressed in recent years in ribosome research

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Not AvailableBackground: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative ailment having pathological hallmarks of plaques due to amyloid β (Aβ) peptides and neurofibrillary tangles in brain. These cerebral plaques and neurofibrillary tangles potentially affect the neuronal synaptic transmission and ultimately cause cognitive decline. In the absence of an effective treatment module for AD, alternative therapeutic strategies are being explored. Scope and approach: Given the fact that dysregulation of brain glucose metabolism is an early detectable trait of AD, coconut oil and its variants/derivatives have generated considerable interests as an invaluable therapeutic agent for AD. The role of coconut oil-derived medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) which are rapidly metabolized into ketone bodies to serve as an alternate source of energy for the cerebral tissue is well recognized. Recently, evidences underlying the mode of action of coconut oil in alleviating the symptoms of AD have started emerging. In this review, a comprehensive snapshot of the recent developments and biochemical basis of coconut oil- induced amelioration of AD symptoms including its dietary role in suppression of neuro-inflammation, reversing the process of neurodegeneration, enhancement of cell survival pathways and inhibition of secretion of Aβ peptides are presented. Investigations in animal models and clinical trials in humans using coconut oil and its derivatives aimed at reversing the AD-induced cognitive decline are also discussed. To conclude the knowledge gaps in the treatment of AD using coconut oil and way forward are presented. Key findings and conclusion: Scientific evidences point toward the immense therapeutic value of coconut oil in the prevention or treatment of AD through its multi-pronged biochemical effects. Nevertheless, identification of bioactive components, besides MCFAs, responsible for the neuroprotective effects, clinical trials to fix the dosage and consolidation of information flow are warranted.Not Availabl

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Not AvailableCoconut oil and its health benefits have been challenged once again by an US-based professor who has labelled it as ‘a pure poison’. The pertinent question we ask is whether her observations are based on scientific facts. We would like to dispel any negative connotation and arrest the spread of mis-information about the oil of Kalpavriksha. Here we discuss and present scientific facts that support the health benefits of coconut oil.Not Availabl