Accumulation of Protein Fractions during Grain Filling of Wheat Genotypes Differing in Protein Content and Baking Quality

The accumulation of protein fractions was analyzed on developing and mature wheat grains of three cultivars differing in protein content and baking quality. There was a slight difference in the accumulation of cytoplasmic proteins in the cultivars used. The high yield but low protein cultivar showed a consistent decline of protein content during grain filling but the high - protein cultivars increased their psotein contant after 25 days post-anthcsis. The accumulation of storage proteins was different from that of cytoplasmic protein, and there were also cultivar variations. However, all cultivars reached their, maximum-synthesizing capacity for storage proteins at maturity. The relationship between the protein fractions or their ratio and baking quality was also discussed.

Abnormalities of Serum Protein Fractions in Hemodialysis Patients with Chronic Renal Failure at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Introduction: The main objective of this study was to investigate abnormalities of serum protein fractions in hemodialysis patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 48 hemodialysis patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) recruited at the Yalgado Ouedraogo Teaching Hospital (YO-TH), and 48 controls declared fit to donate blood by the Regional Blood Transfusion Center (RBTC) of Ouagadougou. Urea, creatinine, uric acid, and serum proteins were measured on the ARCHITECT C4000 equipment (ABOTT®), while the separating of the different protein fractions was performed on the Helena SAS 3 & 4 automated system. Results: A total of 96 individuals were included in the study. Protein levels were on average higher in controls (75.19 ± 6.56 g/L) than in hemodialysis patients (71.44 ± 12.33 g/L). Low blood albumin was significantly associated with the CRF hemodialysis groups compared to controls (p Conclusion: Serum protein electrophoresis is rapidly feasible and low cost. In hemodialysis CKD patients, it can be used to guide therapeutic management and predict morbidity and mortality related to variations in the various protein fractions.

Effects of Late Nitrogen Application on Nitrogen Translocation and Protein Fractions of Wheat Genotypes Differing in Protein Content

In order to investigate the effeits of late nitrogen application on nitrogen translocation and protein fractions, three genotypes differing in protein content were studied in pot experiments at low and high fertility regimes with late foliar nitrogen application. At high fertility, late nitrogen application increased N translocation and improved N translocation efficiency greatly, however, cultivar differences were found at low fertility and late nitrogen application increased both leaf and chaff N translocation, and increased culm N translocation only at high fertility. Relative contributions of vegetative components to N translocation efficiency were altered by late nitrogen application. Albumin and gliadin contents at maturity were decreased by late nitrogen application for all cultivars used, and cultivar variations for globulins were also observed. Xin Kehan No. 9, the high yielding, low grain protein content cultivar remained no change for glutenin content to late nitrogen application, Dongnong 7742, the high yielding, high grain protein content, decreased slightly, and Roblin, high grain protein but low yielding cultivar decreased only at hihg fertility. Residual protein contents were significantly increased by late nitrogen application for all cultivars. It was concluded that nitrogen applied at later stage could be used efficiently noly at high fertility, and most of the N translocated were used for the synthesis of residual proteins.

Functional properties of sesame (Sesamum indicum Linn) seed protein fractions

This work evaluated the functional properties of sesame protein fractions in order to determine their potential in food applications.Sesame seed protein fractions were prepared according to their solubility:water-soluble(albumin),salt-soluble(globulin),alkaline-soluble(glutelin)and ethanol-soluble(prolamin).Globulin was the most abundant fraction,consisting of 91%protein,followed by glutelin,albumin and prolamin in decreasing order.Non-reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE)showed polypeptides of sizes≥20 kDa for albumin while glutelin and globulin had similar polypeptide sizes at 19,85 and 100 kDa.Prolamin had polypeptide sizes 20,40 and 100 kDa.The albumin and globulin fractions had higher intrinsic fluorescence intensity(FI)values than the glutelin.Albumin had a higher solubility(ranging from 80 to 100%)over a wide pH range when compared with the other fractions.Water holding capacity(g/g)reduced from 2.76(glutelin)to 1.35(prolamin)followed by 0.42(globulin)and 0.08(albumin).Oil holding capacity(g/g)reduced from:4.13(glutelin)to 2.57(globulin)and 1.56,1.50 for albumin and prolamin respectively.Gelling ability was stronger for prolamin and glutelin than albumin and globulin,while higher emulsion(p<0.05)quality was obtained for prolamin and albumin than for glutelin and globulin.

Influence of Wheat Protein Contents and Fractions on Dough RheologicalProperties as Determined by Using a Reconstitution Method

A strong gluten wheat cultivar Shannong 12 and a medium-strength wheat cultivar Shannong 11 were used to investigate the effects of wheat protein contents and protein fractions on dough rheological properties using a reconstitution method. The results indicated that the peak height, peak width, peak integral, resistance to extension and area under the curve were increased when protein content increased to 120, 140, and 160% （w/w） of the protein content in the base flours for doughs made from each wheat cultivar. All protein fractions were added to each of the base flours at three levels （0.25, 0.50 and 1.00%, w/w） based upon the protein content. The mixograph dough development time, peak width, and resistance to extension increased when the glutenin, insoluble glutenin, soluble glutenin, and glutenin macropolymer were added and increased systematically with increasing levels of these fractions. Peak integral increased by adding and increasing protein content, however, albumin-globulin had no obvious effects. Extensibility at rupture decreased when the glutenin, insoluble glutenin, soluble glutenin, and glutenin macropolymer were added, and decreased systematically with increasing levels of these fractions. However, extensibility at rupture increased when the monomeric protein, albumin-globulin, and gliadin were added, and increased systematically with increasing levels of these fractions.

Charactering protein fraction concentrations as influenced by nitrogen application in low-glutelin rice cultivars

To optimize both grain yield and quality of low-glutelin rice cultivars under N-fertilizer strategies, two-year field experiments involving three low-glutelin rice cultivars（W1240, W1721, W025） and an ordinary rice cultivar（H9405） with five N treatments were carried out to determine the effects of N application rate and genotype on protein fractions contents and Glutelin/Prolamin ratio（Glu/Pro）. The difference of protein fraction concentrations affected by N application rate existed in genotypes. Ordinary rice cultivar had a larger increase in glutlein concentration affected by N application rate than low-glutelin rice cultivars did. Glutelin in H9405 had a increase of 30.6 and 41.0% under the N4 treatment（360 kg N ha^（–1）） when compared with N0 treatment（no fertilizer N） in 2010 and 2011 respectively, while all the low-glutelin rice cultivars showed relatively smaller increases for two years. Variance analysis showed no significant effect of N application rate on glutelin in W1240 and W025 while the effects on albumin, globulin and prolamin were significant in low-glutelin rice. What＇s more, N treatment had no significant i nfluence on Glu/Pro ratios in low-glutelin rice cultivars while a significant increase in Glu/Pro ratio was observed in ordinary rice cultivar. So low-gultelin rice cultivars showed a different pattern from ordinary rice cultivars when influenced by N application rate.

Protein Profiles of Pod Borer Maruca Resistant Transgenic Cowpea

The grain legume cowpea Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. is a major protein source used for food and feed in Sub-Saharan Africa. The crop is affected by the pod borer Maruca vitrata against which transgenic lines were developed as part of the genetic control approach. This study aimed to assess the protein profiles in seeds and leaves of transgenic cowpea lines and their non-transgenic near-isogenic counterparts. Crude protein content was determined by the Kjeldahl method, and soluble proteins were quantified using Bradford dye binding assay. The average crude protein content ranged between 21.61% and 26.58% in the seeds and between 10.86% and 17.90% in the leaves. Total solubility varied between 13.03% and 20.64%. Osborne’s protein fractions contents in the seeds were 52.41% - 69.52% (albumin), 4.62% - 7.19% (globulin), 7.95% - 11.40% (glutelin) and 3% - 4% (prolamin). In any case, protein content differed significantly between cowpea genotypes but not between pairs of transgenic/non-transgenic lines. Insecticidal Cry1Ab protein expressed by transgenic lines was only detected in the albumin and globulin fractions. Altogether, these findings enhance our understanding of the effects of genetic modification on cowpea protein content and composition, with potential implications for nutritional and safety assessments.

Characterization of Seed Storage Proteins in Eight Bambara Groundnut Landraces in Burkina Faso

The Bambara groundnut Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. is a drought-resistant indigenous African grain legume with significant nutritional and agronomic potential. This study aimed to characterize the seed storage proteins of eight Bambara groundnut landraces. Seeds of Bambara groundnut landraces were collected from local markets in Burkina Faso, and total soluble protein as well as protein fractions were extracted. Crude protein content was determined by the Kjeldahl method, and soluble proteins were quantified using Bradford dye binding assay. The average crude protein content of the seeds was found to be 18.46%, with variations ranging from 17.69% to 19.17% among the different landraces. Most of the protein content was soluble, constituting approximately 87.04% of the total crude protein. Albumin fraction was the most dominant, representing about 95.42% of the total soluble proteins. The globulin, prolamin and glutelin fractions accounted for 1.82%, 0.13% and 1.17% of the soluble proteins, respectively. The findings provide valuable insights into the protein composition of Bambara groundnut landraces and contribute to our understanding of its nutritional potential, laying the groundwork for further research on crop improvement and sustainable agriculture practices.

Fertilization Management for Improving Quality Properties of Spring Wheat in Northeast China

Fertilization management to improve quality properties of spring wheat cultivars has received little research attention inNortheast China. In this study, the effects of different fertilization management regimes on the quality properties of springwheat cultivar New Kehan 9 (Triticum aestivum L.) were investigated for two years. The results showed that fertilizationconsistently increased wheat yield, and the highest yield was obtained with addition of N, P and NPK fertilizers. The NPKtreatment resulted in 50% more yield than the unfertilized plot. The average increases in protein content from NPK and NP atseeding + N at anthesis over no fertilization and NP fertilizers at seeding were 2.7% and 0.90% respectively. The highestprotein yields were achieved in NPK and NPK + N treatments, and the lowest protein yield was observed in the no fertilizertreatment due to both low protein content and grain yield. Fertilization increased gliadins content, but decreased gluteninscontent, thus the gliadins/glutenins ratios were higher in the fertilization treatments. The most obvious effect of fertilizationon kernel quality was the significant increase of hardness percentage. Although the dough rheological properties werenot strongly changed by fertilization, dry gluten and wet gluten were significantly increased, and the highest breadvolume and bread score were found in the NPK treatment in both years. The application of 3% urea at anthesis, or applying45 kg ha-1 of potassium sulphate at seeding, with urea and diammonium phosphate as basal applications, significantlyincreased protein yield and improved quality properties of this wheat cultivar.Key words: Fertilization, Yield, Protein contents, Protein fractions, Quality, Spring Wheat

Bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) activity of Streptococcus macedonicus MBF10-2 and its synergistic action in combination with antibiotics

Objective: To characterize the bacteriocin-like inhibitory-substances(BLIS) activity of Streptococcus macedonicus MBF10-2 [named BLIS(MBF10-2)], a bacteriocinogenic strain isolated from an Indonesian tofu byproduct.Methods: BLIS(MBF10-2) was obtained by culturing the bacterium, and standard deferred antagonism assays were used to demonstrate its activity. The antibacterial testing of fractions collected by filtration using 3–30 kDa cut-off membrane sizes were carried out by performing well diffusion method.Results: The growth of Micrococcus luteus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Lactococcus lactis,Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Weissella confusa were inhibited by BLIS(MBF10-2).Interestingly, BLIS-containing fractions obtained from sequential application on ultrafiltration membranes indicated that this bacterium Streptococcus macedonicus MBF10-2 could produces at least two antimicrobial peptides activities, one of which is likely to be a lantibiotic peptide. Potential synergistic activity against certain Gram-positive(but not Gram-negative) species when partnered with antibiotics(ampicillin, tetracycline or kanamycin) were observed.Conclusion: Combination of some BLIS(MBF10-2) active fractions with antibiotics(ampicillin, tetracycline or kanamycin) could demonstrate synergistic activities against certain Gram-positive species.

PROTEIN SEPARATION USING ULTRAFILTRATION-AN EXAMPLE OF MULTI-SCALE COMPLEX SYSTEMS

In this mini-review, the complexity of protein fractionation using ultrafiltration is discussed. The coupling of the system hydrodynamics, boundary Layer transport, membrane permeation, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions and its effects on protein transmission and membrane selectivity are analysed. Although ultrafiltration is promising for larger scale protein purification and also with outstanding advantages both technically and economically, much needs to be done to derive the general guidance for membrane selection, process design and system operation. With fine tuning of operational and physiochemical conditions, the process can be greatly improved in terms of process productivity and protein purity. A coupled multi-scale approach might provide a way forward to analyse this complex system and improve the confidence in applying such a promising technology and predictability of the outcome.

Genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci associated with β-amylase and limit dextrinase activities and β-glucan and protein fraction contents in barley

High malting quality of barley （Hordeum vulgare L.） relies on many traits, such as β-amylase and limit dextrinase activities and β-glucan and protein fraction contents. In this study, interval mapping was utilized to detect quantitative trait loci （QTLs） affecting these malting quality parameters using a doubled haploid （DH） population from a cross of CM72 （six-rowed） by Gairdner （two-rowed） barley cultivars. A total of nine QTLs for eight traits were mapped to chromosomes 3H, 4H, 5H, and 7H. Five of the nine QTLs mapped to chromosome 3H, indicating a possible role ofloci on chromosome 3H on malting quality. The phenotypic variation accounted by individual QTL ranged from 8.08% to 30.25%. The loci of QTLs for D-glucan and limit dex- trinase were identified on chromosomes 4H and 5H, respectively. QTL for hordeins was coincident with the region of silica eluate （SE） protein on 3HS, while QTLs for albumins, globulins, and total protein exhibited overlapping. One locus on chromosome 3H was found to be related to （J-amylase, and two loci on chromosomes 5H and 7H were found to be associated with glutelins. The identification of these novel QTLs controlling malting quality may be useful for marker-assisted selection in improving barley malting quality.

Proteomics Dissection of Cold Responsive Proteins Based on PEG Fractionation in Arabidopsis

Proteome profiling was performed on Arabidopsis plant exposed to cold stress at 4 ℃ for 24 h in an attempt to explore the mechanisms of plant climate adaptation.The polyethylene glycol（PEG） fractionation protocol developed in this lab was used to identify as many differentially expressed low-abundance proteins as possible.In comparison with those of the biological controls,67 protein spots with at least two-fold difference in expression were identified for the plant exposed to cold temperatures; and from these spots,50 proteins were successfully identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry（MALDI-TOF MS）.Bioinformatics studies on these proteins show that 57.8％ of these proteins were localized in the chloroplast.Of these proteins,8 ones have functions in photosynthesis,including glycine hydroxymethyltransferase,Rubisco large subunit,Rubisco activase,PSBO2,fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase,NADP-dependent malate dehydrogenase,sedoheptulose bisphosphatase and photosystem Ⅱ reaction center PsbP family protein,suggesting that photosynthesis is greatly affected by cold stress.The identified proteins were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction（qPCR）.Taken together,our results suggest that the chloroplast might also act as a cold stress sensor and that photosynthesis-related proteins may play important roles in cold acclimation for Arabidopsis.

Effects of sowing methods on nitrogen compounds and protease activities of whole‐crop wheat silage

Background:Whole‐crop wheat(Triticum aestivum)has high nutritive value,and it has become one of the main sources of roughage for ruminants in some countries or regions.This study investigates the effects of no tillage on nitrogen compounds and protease activities of whole‐crop wheat silage.Methods:Wheat was planted on the 9th day(NB9)and 5th day(NB5)before rice harvest and on the first day after rice harvest.Sowing before harvest involved no tillage and sowing after rice harvest involved either no tillage(NA1)or conventional tillage(CK).Results:Compared to CK,the crude protein content of NB9 and NB5 decreased by 16.4%and 9.58%,respectively.With the delay of the sowing date,the contents of non‐protein nitrogen,rapidly degraded protein,and slowly degraded protein in whole‐plant wheat tended to increase.Compared to NA1 wheat silage,the NH_(3)‐N content of NB9 and NB5 silages decreased by 52.7%and 34.4%,respectively.The acid protease activity of NA1 was significantly higher than that of other treatments(p<0.05).Conclusions:There was no significant difference in the degree of protein degradation between NA1 and CK silages.Although the degree of protein degradation in early sowing was low,the degree of fermentation was also weak.