Complete chloroplast genome sequence of Holoparasite Cistanche Deserticola (Orobanchaceae) reveals gene loss and horizontal gene transfer from Its host Haloxylon Ammodendron (Chenopodiaceae)

The central function of chloroplasts is to carry out photosynthesis, and its gene content and structure are highly conserved across land plants. Parasitic plants, which have reduced photosynthetic ability, suffer gene losses from the chloroplast (cp) genome accompanied by the relaxation of selective constraints. Compared with the rapid rise in the number of cp genome sequences of photosynthetic organisms, there are limited data sets from parasitic plants. The authors report the complete sequence of the cp genome of Cistanche deserticola, a holoparasitic desert species belonging to the family Orobanchaceae

A Shared-Electrode and Nested-Tube Structure Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Motion Energy Harvesting

Triboelectric nanogenerators with the function of harvesting human motion energy have attracted wide attention. Here, we demonstrate a shared-electrode and nested-tube structure triboelectric nanogenerator (SNTN) for harvesting human motion energy. The design of the SNTN employs flexible silicone rubber as the negative friction material and Ni-coated polyester conductive textile as the positive friction material and the electrode material. The entire structure consists of an inner triboelectric unit and an outer triboelectric unit. The inner triboelectric unit is formed by a hollow inner tube and a hollow middle tube, while the hollow middle tube and a hollow outer tube constitute the outer triboelectric unit. The hollow middle tube is used as the shared tube, and the electrode in the middle tube is used as the shared electrode of the two triboelectric units. Our research demonstrates that the output performance of the SNTN was improved significantly compared with a single triboelectric unit due to the cooperation of the two triboelectric units. When the SNTN is pressed by 300 N external force, output open-circuit voltage of 180 V and output short-circuit current of 8.5 μA can be obtained. The output electrical energy can light up 31 light-emitting diodes (LEDs) connected serially (displaying “XZTC”) and can drive a digital clock after rectifying storage, which shows application prospects in the field of illuminating devices and portable electronics

Aromatic profiles of young wines from berries at different heights on grapevines

Abstract The differences among young wines from berries at 3 heights (fruit-zone 1 (FZ1): 140-200 cm above the ground; FZ2: 80-140 cm; FZ3: 20-80 cm) on Vitis vinifera L.cv Merlot and Chardonnay were assessed to evaluate the influence of berry-heights on the final wine quality. Stir bar sorptive extraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SBSE-GC/MS) was used to analyse the characteristics of wine aromas. The results revealed that berry-heights exert significant influence on ethyl octanoate, isoamyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, and ethyl butanoate in various- FZ Merlot wines and beta-damascenone in the Chardonnay -FZ wines. As a result, FZ1 wines of Merlot are more aromatic than the other FZ wines and had the highest floral and fruity series intensity. For the Chardonnay wines, fruity and sweet series were highly intense in the FZ1 wines. The PCA results demonstrated a high degree of differences in the aroma of various- FZ wines of the 2 grape cultivars, especially the Merlot variety, which indicates a need to separate the berries from the different- FZs. These results suggest that wineries should consider the possibility of separating berries from different-heights to produce wines of distinctive quality. Furthermore, this knowledge about the volatile composition of young wines offers a means of evaluating the aroma potential of wines from berries taking into account their position along the vines

The Expression of Aroma Components and Related Genes in Merlot and Marselan Scion–Rootstock Grape and Wine

Rootstocks were bred and selected from several species in order to enhance the resistance against biotic or abiotic stresses. There are few studies on the effect of rootstocks on aroma and related gene expression. This study focused on the effects of three rootstocks, Kober 5BB (5BB), 1103 Paulsen (1103P), and Selection Oppenheim (SO4), on the aroma and volatile-related gene expression levels of Merlot and Marselan berries and wines. These three rootstocks reduced the total aroma content of Merlot wine. 5BB upregulated VvLoXA and showed increased C6 alcohols. 1103P enhanced the linalool from Merlot berry, with marked upregulation of VvLinNer1. Conversely, rootstocks increased the total aroma content of Marselan berry, verified by the related expression levels of volatile-related genes. For Marselan berry, 5BB and 1103P upregulated five VvGTs and nine genes from the LOX and MEP pathway. 1103P increased the contents of C6 alcohols, C6 aldehydes, and citronellol from Marselan berry. Compared to 5BB and SO4, rootstock 1103P provided berries of better quality and richer aroma volatiles to Merlot and Marselan, while all three of the rootstocks had a significant effect on scion–rootstocks

Exogenous 24-Epibrassinolide Interacts with Light to Regulate Anthocyanin and Proanthocyanidin Biosynthesis in Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera L.)

Anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins (PAs) are crucial factors that affect the quality of grapes and the making of wine, which were stimulated by various stimuli and environment factors (sugar, hormones, light, and temperature). The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of exogenous 24-Epibrassinolide (EBR) and light on the mechanism of anthocyanins and PAs accumulation in grape berries. Grape clusters were sprayed with EBR (0.4 mg/L) under light and darkness conditions (EBR + L, EBR + D), or sprayed with deionized water under light and darkness conditions as controls (L, D), at the onset of veraison. A large amount of anthocyanins accumulated in the grape skins and was measured under EBR + L and L treatments, whereas EBR + D and D treatments severely suppressed anthocyanin accumulation. This indicated that EBR treatment could produce overlay effects under light, in comparison to that in dark. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis indicated that EBR application up-regulated the expression of genes (VvCHI1, VvCHS2, VvCHS3, VvDFR, VvLDOX, VvMYBA1) under light conditions. Under darkness conditions, only early biosynthetic genes of anthocyanin biosynthesis responded to EBR. Furthermore, we also analyzed the expression levels of the BR-regulated transcription factor VvBZR1 (Brassinazole-resistant 1) and light-regulated transcription factor VvHY5 (Elongated hypocotyl 5). Our results suggested that EBR and light had synergistic effects on the expression of genes in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway

Tissue- Specific Expression Analysis of Anthocyanin Biosynthetic Genes in White- and Red-Fleshed Grape Cultivars

Yan73, a teinturier (dyer) grape variety in China, is one of the few Vitis vinifera cultivars with red-coloured berry flesh. To examine the tissue-specific expression of genes associated with berry colour in Yan73, we analysed the differential accumulation of anthocyanins in the skin and flesh tissues of two red-skinned grape varieties with either red (Yan73) or white flesh (Muscat Hamburg) based on HPLC-MS analysis, as well as the differential expression of 18 anthocyanin biosynthesis genes in both varieties by quantitative RT-PCR. The results revealed that the transcripts of GST, OMT, AM3, CHS3, UFGT, MYBA1, F3′5′H, F3H1 and LDOX were barely detectable in the white flesh of Muscat Hamburg. In particular, GST, OMT, AM3, CHS3 and F3H1 showed approximately 50-fold downregulation in the white flesh of Muscat Hamburg compared to the red flesh of Yan73. A correlation analysis between the accumulation of different types of anthocyanins and gene expression indicated that the cumulative expression of GST, F3′5′H, LDOX and MYBA1 was more closely associated with the acylated anthocyanins and the 3′5′-OH anthocyanins, while OMT and AM3 were more closely associated with the total anthocyanins and methoxylated anthocyanins. Therefore, the transcripts of OMT, AM3, GST, F3′5′H, LDOX and MYBA1 explained most of the variation in the amount and composition of anthocyanins in skin and flesh of Yan73. The data suggest that the specific localization of anthocyanins in the flesh tissue of Yan73 is most likely due to the tissue-specific expression of OMT, AM3, GST, F3′5′H, LDOX and MYBA1 in the flesh

Iron Supply Affects Anthocyanin Content and Related Gene Expression in Berries of Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon

Anthocyanins are important compounds for red grape and red wine quality, and can be influenced by supply of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and iron. The present work aims to gain a better understanding of the effect of iron supply on anthocyanins concentration in grape berries. To this end, own-rooted four-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines (Vitis vinifera) were fertigated every three days with 0, 23, 46, 92, and 184 μM iron (Fe) from ferric ethylenediamine di (o-hydroxyphenylacetic) acid (Fe-EDDHA) in a complete nutrient solution. Fe deficiency or excess generally led to higher concentrations of titratable acidity and skin/berry ratio, and to lower reducing sugar content, sugar/acid ratio, pH, berry weight, and concentration of anthocyanins. Most of the individual anthocyanins detected in this study, except cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, and cyanidin-3-O-(6-O-coumaryl)-glucoside, in moderate Fe treatment (46 μM) grapes were significantly higher than those of other treatments. Genes encoding chalcone isomerase (CHI), flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H), leucoanthocyanidin dioxygenase (LDOX), and anthocyanin O-methyltransferase (AOMT) exhibited higher transcript levels in berries from plants cultivated with 46 μM Fe compared to the ones cultivated with other Fe concentrations. We suggest that grape sugar content, anthocyanins content, and transcriptions of genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis were correlated with Fe supply concentrations

Core-shell coaxially structured triboelectric nanogenerator for energy harvesting and motion sensing

Converting sustainable human motion energy into electric energy has become an urgent task for the advancement of next-generation wearable and portable electronics. Herein, a core–shell coaxially structured triboelectric nanogenerator (CSTN) was fabricated by inserting an inner hollow circular tube into an outer hollow circular tube, and a gasbag is constructed within the space between the inner and outer tubes. Both Ni-coated polyester conductive textile and the conductive silicone rubber were used as effective electrode materials. The CSTN has excellent properties, including flexibility, light weight, sustainability and biological compatibility due to its unique structural design and materials selection. The CSTN can convert various forms of human motion energy, such as pressing, bending and twisting motion, into electric energy. A high short-circuit current of 11 μA and an open-circuit voltage of 380 V can be obtained from a CSTN with a length of 6 cm, corresponding to a high peak power of 1.638 mW at a load resistance of about 10 MΩ. When six such CSTNs are connected in parallel and placed under shoes, the electric energy output by normal walking can light up 60 LEDs connected serially and power up a competition-timer. The device can also sense different bending angles or twisting angles according to its signal outputs under different deformation angles. This study indicates the promising application prospects of the CSTN for next-generation devices, including self-powered illuminating devices, portable electronics, body motion sensing and health monitoring