Acute Toxicity and Genotoxic Evaluation of Metlin^®and Metlos^®(Organic Agave Fructans)

The aim of the study was to contribute to the information on agave soluble fibers since research has been focused on chicory fiber but not in agave products;thus we assess the acute toxicity and genotoxicity of two organic and high purity dietary soluble fibers from agave, Metlin? and Metlos?. We performed an acute toxicity assay in Hsd:ICR mice and Hsd:Wistar rats and an in vivo genotoxic test. Results showed that there are no deaths at any doses or genotoxicity, so it can be concluded that these products are non-toxic, at the administrated doses and none showed a cytotoxic, clastogenic or aneuploidic effect.

Structural Features of Fructans from the Root of Cyathula officinalis Kuan

Three fructans (CoPS1, CoPS2 and CoPS3) vrere isolated from the root of Cyathula officinalis Kuan, a traditional Chinese medicine. The structures of the fructans were determined by methylation, reductive-cleavage method combined with GC-MS analysis, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. These results show that the fructans (CoPS1, CoPS2 and CoPS3) are graminan type fructans, and comprised of (2→1)- and (2→6)-linked β-D-fructofuranosyl backbone residues containing high branches.

Cloning and Characterization of Genes Coding for Fructan Biosynthesis Enzymes (FBEs) in Triticeae Plants

Fructan is not only a carbon source for storage but also plays an important role as anti-stress agents in many plant species. Complex fructans having both β-（2,1）- and β-（2,6）-linked fructosyl units accumulate in Triticeae plants commonly. Three enzymes （sucrose： sucrose 1-fructosyltransferase, 1-SST, EC： 2.4.1.99; sucrose： fructan 6-fructosyltransferase, 6- SFT, EC： 2.4.1.10; and fructan： fructan 1-fructosyltransferase, 1-FFT, EC： 2.4.1.100） were involved in fructan biosynthesis in Triticeae plant species. We successfully isolated these genes from tetraploid wheat （Triticum turgidum, genotype： AABB）, common wheat （Triticum aestivum L., genotype： AABBDD） and three wild relatives of common wheat, Triticum urartu Thum. （the origin of the AA genome）, Aegilops speltoides （Tausch） Gren. （the putative source of the SS genome） and Aegilops tauschii Coss. （the source of the DD genome）. Sequence analysis revealed that all the FBEs （fructan biosynthetic enzymes） had three highly conserved functional motifs except 1-SST （EU981912） from tetraploid wheat species only with conserved DPNG. Low pI （isoelectric point） and potential N-glycosylation sites were predicted, which were crucial for protein compartmentation and post-translational process. Analysis on subcelluar localization signals showed that only 6-SFT had vacuolar-directed signal. Sequences alignment result showed that 1-SST and 1-FFT were more conservative and had closer relationship each other, while 6-SFT was more active during the evolution processing. According to the syntenic relationship between wheat and rice genome, FBEs were predicated to be located on the homeologous group 6 and group 2 chromosomes. Expression profile confirmed that expression of all the three FBEs were drought-stress induced. This study can assist to establish a useful theoretical platform for cold- or drought-tolerant improvement of wheat by modulating FBEs expression.

Stem Reserve Mobilization and Sink Activity in Wheat under Drought Conditions

The effect of water deficit on stem reserve mobilization and sink activity in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, viz., C306 (drought tolerant) and PBW343 (drought sensitive) was studied. Drought was maintained in pot raised plants by withholding irrigation at 95 days after sowing (DAS), i.e. just five days before the initiation of anthesis. Drought induced a significant reduction in mean biomass of all the internodes of sensitive cultivar as compared to those of tolerant one. Mobilized dry matter and mobilization efficiency were observed to be higher in the internodes of tolerant cultivar, both under control and stress conditions, which resulted in enhanced translocation of stem reserves to the grains. Water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), which mainly occur as fructans, were observed to be higher in the internodes of tolerant cultivar than those of sensitive one. When drought was applied, fructans were mobilized more effectively from the internodes of tolerant cultivar. A significantly higher sucrose synthase activity in the grains of tolerant cultivar, under drought conditions, increased the sink strength by unloading the assimilates in the sink, thereby increasing further mobilization of assimilates to the grains. Grains of sensitive cultivar attained maturity much earlier as compared to the tolerant one, both under control and stress conditions. The longer duration of grain maturation in tolerant cultivar supported enhanced mobilization of stem reserves, thus restricting heavy decrease in grain yield, under stress conditions, as compared to the sensitive cultivar. It may, therefore, be concluded that certain characteristics viz., enhanced capability of fructan storage, higher mobilization efficiency, stronger sink activity and longer duration of grain maturation might help the drought tolerant cultivar in coping the stress

Morphometric and Biochemical Changes in Agave americana L.Plantlets Induced By Ethyl Methanesulfonate

A.americana L.is a crop with very little genetic variability.In order to evaluate the effect of ethyl methanesulfonate(EMS)to induce variability in in vitro plantlets of A.americana,different explants(meristems,leaves and roots)were evaluated for the production of callus.MS medium supplemented with ANA(2.68μM)and BAP(2.68μM)was used.Callus obtained from apical meristem were treated with 15 mM EMS for two hours after which shoot formation was induced using 2,4-D(0.11μM)and BAP(44μM).The EMS induced variations in the morphometric and morphological parameters of the plantlets obtained,with 60%of the plantlets presenting differences such as dwarfism and different leaf forms,without the presence of spines,as well as an increase in fructan content of 30%with respect to the control plantlets.PAL was increased and this activity is related with higher anthocyanins concentration in A.americana L.plantlets.

Study on prebiotic effectiveness of neutral garlic fructan in vitro

Garlic is traditionally believed to have many health benefits including prevention of gastrointestinal diseases.One of the major components,garlic fructan(GF),was evaluated for its prebiotic effectiveness on human intestinal microflora.Garlic fructans A(DP 16)and B(DP 21)were prepared by ethanol fractionation precipitation.Then,they were added to an in vitro fermentation system as the sole carbon source inoculated with human fecal suspension.The total anaerobic bacteria,Bacteroides and Bifidobacteria,were enumerated by plate counting on selective media.Terminal restriction fragment length polymerization(tRFLP)was used to analyze DNA extracted from the in vitro cultures.The results indicated that the log CFUs of both Bacteroides(GF A 6.96,GF B 7.15)and Bifidobacteria(GF A 7.74,GF B 7.74)grown in the GF cultures at 24 h were significantly higher than those at 0 h(Bacteroides 4.93,Bifidobacteria 4.78)(P<0.05).Terminal restriction fragments(TRFs)256–258 bp(ascribed to Bifidobacterium)in the profiles were also observed higher in the TRFLP profiles from the garlic fructans’cultures.In this study,GFs were found to selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial Bifidobacteria from human fecal microflora.The prebiotic effectiveness of GFs supports the use of garlic as a way to prevent some gastrointestinal diseases.©2013 Beijing Academy of Food Sciences.Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.All rights reserved.

Tissue Nitrogen and Fructan Translocation in Bread Wheat

Translocation of previously accumulated nitrogen and carbohydrates from vegetative tissue of the wheat plant is a major assimilate source for grain filling. This study was conducted to examine genotype differences in nitrogen and fructan translocation and their relationships to grain yield and protein content. Effects indicated that significant genotype differences existed for nitrogen accumulation at anthesis and fructan at milk stage and their translocation. Two high protein genotypes, Cunningham and PST90-19, accumulated more nitrogen before anthesis and had greater nitrogen translocation, but lower post-anthesis nitrogen uptake, than two low protein genotypes, SUN109A and TM56. Among plant parts, leaves were the major storage for tissue nitrogen and provided the overwhelming proportion of the total nitrogen translocation, whereas for fructan accumulation and translocation it was the stems. The two high protein genotypes had a higher percentage of their grain nitrogen derived from nitrogen translocation, while for the two low protein ones, it was from post-anthesis nitrogen uptake and assimilation. Increasing nitrogen application increased nitrogen accumulation and translocation, but decreased fructan accumulation and translocation. High grain protein content was associated with high nitrogen translocation from leaves, stems and the total plant, while high grain yield was related to high fructan translocation from stems and the total plant. Fructan translocation was negatively correlated to grain protein content. Nitrogen and fructan translocation were not correlated with each other.

Relationship of Grain Fructan Content to Degree of Polymerisation in Different Barleys

Fructans are important in the survival of plants and also valuable for humans as potentially health promoting food ingredients. In this study fructan content and composition were determined in grains of 20 barley breeding lines and cultivars with a wide variation in chemical composition, morphology and country of origin, grown at one site in Chile. There was significant genotypic variation in grain fructan content ranging from 0.9% to 4.2% of grain dry weight. Fructan degree of polymerisation (DP) was analysed using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). Changes in the distribution of different chain lengths and the pattern of structures of fructan were detected with increasing amount of fructan in the different barleys. A positive correlation was found between fructan content and the relative amount of long chain fructan (DP > 9) (r = 0.54, p = 0.021). Our results provide a basis for selecting promising barley lines and cultivars for further research on fructan in barley breeding with the aim to produce healthy food products.

Genome-wide characterization of early response genes to abscisic acid coordinating multiple pathways in Aegilops tauschii

The diploid wild goat grass Aegilops tauschii(Ae. tauschii, 2 n = 14;DD), as the D-sub genome of common wheat, provides rich germplasm resources for many aspects of wheat breeding. Abscisic acid(ABA) is an essential phytohormone that plays a pivotal role in plant adaptation to abiotic stresses. However,the gene regulation network of Ae. tauschii in response to ABA stress remains unclear. Here, we conducted a time-course strand-specific RNA-sequencing study to globally profile the transcriptome that responded to ABA treatment in Ae. tauschii. We identified 4818 differentially expressed transcription units/genes with time-point-specific induction/repression patterns. Using functional annotation, one-to-one ortholog and comparative transcriptome profiling analyses, we identified 319 ABA-responsive Ae. tauschii orthologs that were also induced/repressed under ABA treatment in hexaploid wheat. On the quantitative trait loci(QTL) used in wheat marker-assisted breeding, we found that the ABA-responsive expression patterns of eight Ae. tauschii orthologs were associated with drought stress tolerance, flowering process and/or grain quality. Of them, the ABA-responsive gene encoding sucrose:sucrose 1-fructosyltransferase in fructan and glucose metabolism pathways showed the most significant association with wheat drought tolerance. The characterization of ABA early-responsive genes in this study provides valuable information for exploring the molecular functions of the regulatory genes and will assist in wheat breeding.

Extraction and Powder Product of Fructo-oligosaccharide from Jerusalem Artichoke

Fructo-oligosaccharide （FOS） is a type of dietary fiber. It can not be digested by enzymes in the body. It also helps to improve a digestion in the intestine, an excretion system and prevent the cancer. Jerusalem artichoke is scanned and analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography （HPLC） for quantity of FOS. They are selected for extraction and drying process. Studies on the extraction for a powder making, the conditions are optimum for maximum yield. Experiments manage using a factorial real 2 × 4 × 6 in 2 blocks of Randomized Complete Block Design （RCBD） models. The first factor studies on two types of solvent. The second factor is the four levels of temperature in the extraction with water at 25 ℃, 35 ℃, 50℃ and 60℃ for 30 min. The third factor is the ratio of sample per solvent as 5, 6, 10, 15, 20 and 30 times. The data and comparison of average is analyzed by Duncan＇s New Mutiple Range Test at the significant level 0.05. The concentrated extracts are processed to powder by freeze drying, a hot air and vacuum drying. Optimal conditions control the temperature and time by heating in both vacuum and conventional oven. The results of temperature on the extraction are significantly different at a = 0.05. In drying process with high temperature, the color of product is more yellow （b） and less white （L）. The difference of color value is statistically significant at level a = 0.05. The sensory evaluation of food products are added the extracted powder and attribute by panelist. High level acceptance of product is aspectual about texture and flavor. FOS is the trend of functional foods for health. It is focus on low energy and on obesity including increasing the absorption of calcium.

An inulin-type fructan CP-A from Codonopsis pilosula attenuates experimental colitis in mice by promoting autophagy-mediated inactivation of NLRP3 inflammasome

Inulin-type fructan CP-A,a predominant polysaccharide in Codonopsis pilosula,demonstrates regulatory effects on immune activity and anti-inflammation.The efficacy of CP-A in treating ulcerative colitis(UC)is,however,not well-established.This study employed an in vitro lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced colonic epithelial cell model(NCM460)and an in vivo dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced colitis mouse model to explore CP-A’s protective effects against experimental colitis and its underlying mechanisms.We monitored the clinical symptoms in mice using various parameters:body weight,disease activity index(DAI),colon length,spleen weight,and histopathological scores.Additionally,molecular markers were assessed through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),immunofluorescence(IF),immunohistochemistry(IHC),and Western blotting assays.Results showed that CP-A significantly reduced reactive oxygen species(ROS),tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),and interleukins(IL-6,IL-1β,IL-18)in LPS-induced cells while increasing IL-4 and IL-10 levels and enhancing the expression of Claudin-1,ZO-1,and occludin proteins in NCM460 cells.Correspondingly,in vivo findings revealed that CPA administration markedly improved DAI,reduced colon shortening,and decreased the production of myeloperoxidase(MPO),malondialdehyde(MDA),ROS,IL-1β,IL-18,and NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome-associated genes/proteins in UC mice.CP-A treatment also elevated glutathione(GSH)and superoxide dismutase(SOD)levels,stimulated autophagy(LC3B,P62,Beclin-1,and ATG5),and reinforced Claudin-1 and ZO-1 expression,thereby aiding in intestinal epithelial barrier repair in colitis mice.Notably,the inhibition of autophagy via chloroquine(CQ)diminished CP-A’s protective impact against colitis in vivo.These findings elucidate that CP-A’s therapeutic effect on experimental colitis possibly involves mitigating intestinal inflammation through autophagymediated NLRP3 inflammasome inactivation.Consequently,inulin-type fructan CP-A emerges as a promising drug candidate for UC treatment.

A Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of Garlic (Allium sativum) Provides Insights into Genome Evolution and Allicin Biosynthesis

Garlic,an economically important vegetable,spice,and medicinal crop,produces highly enlarged bulbs and unique organosulfur compounds.Here,we report a chromosome-level genome assembly for garlic,with a total size of approximately 16.24 Gb,as well as the annotation of 57561 predicted protein-coding genes,making garlic the first Allium species with a sequenced genome.Analysis of this garlic genome assembly reveals a recent burst of transposable elements,explaining the substantial expansion of the garlic genome.We examined the evolution of certain genes associated with the biosynthesis of allicin and inulin neoseries-type fructans,and provided new insights into the biosynthesis of these two compounds.Furthermore,a large-scale transcriptome was produced to characterize the expression patterns of garlic genes in different tissues and at various growth stages of enlarged bulbs.The reference genome and large-scale transcriptome data generated in this study provide valuable new resources for research on garlic biology and breeding.

Prebiotics in non-dairy products:Technological and physiological functionality,challenges,and perspectives

Vegan consumers look for fresh,tasty,and nutritious products that use eco/animal-friendly ingredients.Prebiotics are substrates selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit.This study aimed to overview the potentially vegan products added with prebiotics,their health benefits,and the main technological and sensory challenges.The main potentially vegan products added with prebiotics studied were based on water-soluble plant-based extracts(fermented beverages,frozen desserts,cheese analog),fruits(fruit juices,fruit jelly,and ready to eat fruits),and cereals(snack bars,granola bars,bread,and cookies).The main prebiotic compounds used were inulin,fructooligosaccharides,oligofructose,polydextrose,and xylooligosaccharides.The effects of prebiotic on food products’,host health,and technological and sensory properties depended on the prebiotic type and dosage,food matrix,and subject type.The positive health effects were related to skin health,gut microbiota improvement,hypocholesterolemic impact,reduction of the risk of metabolic diseases,and improvements in postprandial blood glucose and insulin response.Prebiotics could improve vegan products’technological and sensory properties,such as fermentation time,texture and rheological properties,storage length,sensory acceptance,and probiotic survival.Furthermore,they could increase the concentration and/or bioaccessibility of phenolic compounds and vitamins.However,it is of paramount importance the determination of prebiotic stability.The trends direct to new prebiotic compounds based on microalgae,fruit and cereal by-products,and seeds.This review provides industries and researchers with important information about prebiotics and vegan products.

Structural study on a bioactive fructan from the root of Achyranthes bidentata Blume

The structure of a saccharide component (Abs), with pronounced activity of improving immunity system, isolated from the root of Achyranthes bidentata Blume, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, was studied. Based on C-13 NMR, HPLC, and methylation analyses, Abs was shown to be a mixture of short-chain fructans with an average dp of 8, containing more (2-->B) than (2-->1) linked beta-D-fructofuranosyl residues, with branching at O-6 or O-1 of 18% of the D-fructofuranosyl residues.