The cytosolic isoform of triosephosphate isomerase,ZmTPI4,is required for kernel development and starch synthesis in maize(Zea mays L.)

Triosephosphate isomerase(TPI)is an enzyme that functions in plant energy production,accumulation,and conversion.To understand its function in maize,we characterized a maize TPI mutant,zmtpi4.In comparison to the wild type,zmtpi4 mutants showed altered ear development,reduced kernel weight and starch content,modified starch granule morphology,and altered amylose and amylopectin content.Protein,ATP,and pyruvate contents were reduced,indicating ZmTPI4 was involved in glycolysis.Although subcellular localization confirmed ZmTPI4 as a cytosolic rather than a plastid isoform of TPI,the zmtpi4 mutant showed reduced leaf size and chlorophyll content.Overexpression of ZmTPI4 in Arabidopsis led to enlarged leaves and increased seed weight,suggesting a positive regulatory role of ZmTPI4 in kernel weight and starch content.We conclude that ZmTPI4 functions in maize kernel development,starch synthesis,glycolysis,and photosynthesis.

Anaerobic biodegradation,physical and structural properties of normal and high-amylose maize starch films

Biodegradable plastics have attracted considerable attention in recent years due to their biodegradability,biocompatibility and non-toxicity.In this study,normal maize starch(containing 25%amylose)and high-amylose maize starch(containing 80%amylose)were served as model materials to prepare starch/polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)blends.To comprehensively study the effects of amylose contents on the film performances,the mechanical properties,water resistance and anaerobic biodegradability of the two films were examined.Moreover,the processes of anaerobic degradation were investigated by evolutions of biogas production,pH in reactors and the changes of film structures and compositions.The results indicated that amylose content played an important role in the microstructures of starch film as well as mechanical properties and water resistance,whereas it had no significant influence on anaerobic biodegradability of the films.Nonetheless,the structure of high-amylose maize starch/PVA film was more suitable and beneficial to the anaerobic biodegradation than that of the normal maize starch/PVA film,because it could effectively avoid accumulation of volatile fatty acids,which contributed to the stable biogas production,short fermentation period and non-souring in the reactor.

The effect of amylose on kernel phenotypic characteristics,starch-related gene expression and amylose inheritance in naturally mutated high-amylose maize

High-amylose maize starch has great pote ntial for widespread in dustrial use due to its ability to form strong gels and film and in the food processi ng field,thus servi ng as a resista nt starch source.However,there is still a substa ntial shortage of high-amylose maize due to the limitation of natural germplasm resources,although the well-known amylose extender(ae)gene mutants have bee n found to produce high-amylose maize lines since 1948.In this con text,high-amylose maize lines(13 inbreds and 18 hybrids)originating from a natural amylose mutant in our testing field were utilized to study the correlation between amylose content(AC)and phenotypic traits(kernel morphology and endosperm glossiness),grain filling characteristics,gene expression,and amylose inheritanee.Our results showed that AC was negatively correlated with total starch con tent but was not correlated with grain phe no types,such as kernel full ness,kernel morphology and endosperm glossiness.Maize lines with higher amylose had a greater grain filling rate than that of the controI(B73)during the first 20 days after pollination(DAP).Both starch debranching enzyme(DBE)groups and starch branching enzyme lib(SBEIIb)groups showed a greater abundance in the control(B73)than in the high-amylose maize lines.Male parents directly predicted AC of Fv which was moderately positively correlated with the F2 generation.

Transcription factor ZmNAC126 plays an important role in transcriptional regulation of maize starch synthesis-related genes

Maize(Zea mays L.)is one of the most important food crops in the world,and starch is the main component of its endosperm.Transcriptional regulation plays a vital role in starch biosynthesis.However,it is not well understood in maize.We report the identification of the transcription factor ZmNAC126 and its role in regulation of starch synthesis in maize.Transcriptional expression of ZmNAC126 was higher in maize endosperm and kernels than in roots or stems.ZmNAC126 shared a similar expression pattern with starch synthesis genes during seed development,and its expression pattern was also consistent with the accumulation of starch.ZmNAC126 is a typical transcription factor with a transactivation domain between positions 201 and 227 of the amino acid sequence,is located in the nucleus,and binds to CACG repeats in vitro.Yeast one-hybrid assay revealed that ZmNAC126 bound the promoters of ZmGBSSI,ZmSSIIa,ZmSSIV,ZmISA1,and ZmISA2.Transient overexpression of ZmNAC126 in maize endosperm increased the activities of promoters pZmSh2,pZmBt2,pZmGBSSI,pZmSSIIIa,and pZmBT1 but inhibited the activities of pZmISA1 and pZmISA2.ZmNAC126 thus acts in starch synthesis by transcriptionally regulating targeted starch synthesis-related genes in maize kernels.

Effect of steam-flaking on chemical compositions,starch gelatinization,in vitro fermentability,and energetic values of maize,wheat and rice

Intact and steam-flaked grains of maize,wheat and rice（with whole hulls） were analyzed for chemical composition,starch gelatinization degree（SGD） and in vitro fermentation characteristics to investigate the influence of cereal type and steam-flaking（SF） processing on their nutritive values.The treatments were arranged in a 3×2 factorial design.Obvious differences（P〈0.001） in chemical composition and energetic values were observed among the different cereal types.SGD and gas production（GP） rate was significantly increased（P〈0.001） by SF processing.SF processing also increased（P〈0.01） the proportion of propionic acid and decreased the acetic：propionic acid ratio in vitro.Steam-flaking also increased organic matter digestibility and the energetic value of the cereal grains,especially rice.Based on these results,rice probably is more amendable to SF processing than maize and wheat.In conclusion,it is feasible to partially substitute maize grain with wheat or rice in ruminant diets,and steam-flaking can significantly improve the nutritional value of wheat and rice grains.

Characterization and Utilization of Starches Extracted from Florencia and Waxy Maize Hybrids for Tablet Formulation: Compaction Behaviour and Tablet Properties

The aim of this work is to analyze the particle characteristics, such as shape, roundness and size, of starches extracted from Florencia and waxy maize hybrids. The micromeritics and structural properties of the samples were examined. The evaluation of flow properties, densification and compression behaviour of the powders was carried out. Physical parameters and swelling characteristics of tablets containing Florencia and waxy maize starch were also studied. Starch samples were compared with respect to their applicability as excipients in tablet formulation. The samples exhibited identical structure and similar particle characteristics. Maize starch extracted from the Florencia dent hybrid showed better flowability and compressibility in tableting experiments, which resulted in better mechanical tablet properties. With regard to utilization as a disintegrant, Florencia starch indicated rapid and intensive swelling and proved to act more effectively in the swelling process than waxy maize starch.

Effects of Waterborne Elastic Polyester with Different Compositions on the Properties and Compatibility of Maize Starch

Waterborne elastic polyester (WEP) with different content of hard polyester was applied in the maize starch (MS) based composites (MS/WEP) via solution casting method.The effects of WEP with different contents of hard polyester on the structure and properties of starch were studied by Fourier transform infrared,X-ray diffraction,ultraviolet-visible,tensile test,differential scanning calorimeter,thermogravimetric analysis and moisture measurement.The experimental results show that the addition of WEP does not change the crystalline type of starch,and only reduces the crystallinity of starch.And the structure and properties of MS/WEP are related to not only the content of starch but also the microstructure of WEP or the content of hard polyester in WEP.Waterborne elastic polyester with 30wt% hard polyester (WEP30) has the best modification effect on the maize starch among all the WEPs.For example,MS/WEP30 film has the optimum toughness,aging resistance and transmittance,the lowest crystallinity and glass transition temperature among all the MS/WEP films,and the lower moisture content.It is related to the compatibility between starch and WEP,resulting from the number of physical crosslinking points in WEP..

Determination of Protein and Starch Content in Whole Maize Kernel by Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

Using 128 bulk-kernel samples of inbred lines and hybrids, a study was conducted toinvestigate the feasibility and method of measuring protein and starch contents inintact seeds of maize by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). The chemometricalgorithms of partial least square (PLS) regression was used. The results indicated thatthe calibration models developed by the spectral data pretreatment of firstderivative+multivariate scattering correction within the spectral region of 10000-4000cm-1, and first derivative + straight line subtraction in 9000-4000cm-1 were thebest for protein and starch, respectively. All these models yielded coefficients ofdetermination of calibration (R2cal) above 0.97, while R2cv and R2val of cross and externalvalidation ranged from 0.92 to 0.95, respectively; however, the root of mean squareerrors of calibration, cross and external validation (RMSEE, RMSECV and RMSEP) werebelow 1(ranged 0.3-0.7),respectively. This study demonstrated that it is feasible touse NIRS as a rapid, accurate, and none-destructive technique to predict protein andstarch contents of whole kernel in the maize quality improvement program.

The Effect of Maize Grain Size on the Physicochemical Properties of Isolated Starch, Crude Maize Flour and Nixtamalized Maize Flours

Usually, the maize cob is formed by grains of medium size. However, the extremes have larger or smaller size grains. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of grain size from the same hybrid on the physicochemical properties of isolated starch, crude maize flours and nixtamalized maize flours. Two hybrids, one from CIMMyT-Mexico called IMIC-254 and one commercial sample from Monsanto (Puma) were studied. The isolated starch granules from small, medium, and large grains exhibit the same size and distribution. The grain size has influence in the determination of cooking and steeping times;small grains reach these parameters faster than medium and large ones. The hardness of the grain size for both hybrids does not showed statistical differences between them. The starch from small, medium and large grains is mainly composed of amylopectin;this result is confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Megazine analysis. The apparent viscosity of the isolated starches of small grains showed statistically significant higher peak values. According to these results, it is possible to use small, medium, and large grains to obtain products with the same physicochemical properties, by adjusting the cooking and steeping times and Ca2+ content.

Effects of nitrogen fertilizer and chemical regulation on spring maize lodging characteristics, grain filling and yield formation under high planting density in Heilongjiang Province, China

Now,lodging is a major constraint factor contributing to yield loss of maize (Zea mays L.) under high planting density.Chemical regulation and nitrogen fertilizer could effectively coordinate the relationship between stem lodging and maize yield,which significantly reduce lodging and improve the grain yield.The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of chemical regulation and different nitrogen application rates on lodging characteristics,grain filling and yield of maize under high density.For this,we established a field study during 2017 and 2018 growing seasons,with three nitrogen levels of N100 (100 kg ha^(–1)),N200 (200 kg ha^(–1)) and N300 (300 kg ha^(–1)) at high planting density (90 000 plants ha^(–1)),and applied plant growth regulator (Yuhuangjin,the mixture of 3% DTA-6 and 27% ethephon) at the 7th leaf.The results showed that chemical control increased the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL),tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL),4-coumarate:Co A ligase (4CL),and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD),and increased the lignin,cellulose and hemicellulose contents at the bottom of the 3rd internode,which significantly reduced the lodging percentage.The lignin-related enzyme activities,lignin,cellulose and hemicellulose contents decreased with the increase of nitrogen fertilizer,which significantly increased the lodging percentage.The 200 kg ha^(–1) nitrogen application and chemical control increased the number,diameter,angle,volume,and dry weight of brace roots.The 200 kg ha^(–1) nitrogen application and chemical control significantly increased the activities of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase),soluble starch synthase (SSS) and starch branching enzyme(SBE),which promoted the starch accumulation in grains.Additional,improved the maximum grain filling rate (V_(max)) and mean grain filling rate (V_(m)),which promoted the grain filling process,significantly increased grain weight and grain number per ear,thus increased the final yield.

Application of moderate nitrogen levels alleviates yield loss and grain quality deterioration caused by post-silking heat stress in fresh waxy maize

High temperature(HT)during grain filling is one of the most important environmental factors limiting maize yield and grain quality.Nitrogen(N)fertilizer is essential for maintaining normal plant growth and defense against environmental stresses.The effects of three N rates and two temperature regimes on the grain yield and quality of fresh waxy maize were studied using the hybrids Suyunuo 5(SYN5)and Yunuo 7(YN7)as materials.N application rates were 1.5,4.5,and 7.5 g plant-1,representing low,moderate,and high N levels(LN,MN,and HN,respectively).Mean day/night temperatures during the grain filling of spring-and summer-sown plants were 27.6/21.0°C and 28.6/20.0°C for ambient temperature(AT)and 35/21.0°C and 35/20.0°C for HT,respectively.On average,HT reduced kernel number,weight,yield,and moisture content by 29.8%,17.9%,38.7%,and 3.3%,respectively.Kernel number,weight,yield,moisture,and starch contents were highest under MN among the three N rates under both temperature regimes.HT reduced grain starch content at all N levels.HT increased grain protein content,which gradually increased with N rate.Mean starch granule size under MN was larger(10.9μm)than that under LN and HN(both 10.4μm)at AT.However,the mean size of starch granules was higher under LN(11.7μm)and lower under MN(11.2μm)at HT.Iodine binding capacity(IBC)was lowest under MN and highest under HN among the three N levels under both temperature regimes.In general,IBC at all N rates was increased by HT.Peak viscosity(PV)was gradually reduced with increasing N rate at AT.In comparison with LN,PV was increased by MN and decreased by HN at HT.Retrogradation percentage gradually increased with N rate at AT,but was lowest under MN among the three N rates at HT.LN+AT and MN+HT produced grain with high pasting viscosity and low retrogradation tendency.MN application could alleviate the negative effects of HT on the grain yield and quality of fresh waxy maize.

Variation of carbon partitioning in newly expanded maize leaves and plant adaptive growth under extended darkness

Plants must maintain a balance between their carbon(C)supply and utilization during the day–night cycle for continuous growth since C starvation often causes irreversible damage to crop production.It is not well known how C fixation and allocation in the leaves of crops such as maize adapt to sudden environmental changes.Here,to quantify primary C fixation and partitioning in photosynthetic maize leaves under extended darkness and to relate these factors to plant growth,maize seedlings were subjected to extended darkness(ED)for three successive days at the 6 th leaf fully expanded stage(V6).ED reduced plant growth and leaf chlorophyll levels but not the rate of net CO_2 exchange.As a result of the reduction in photoassimilates,the accumulation of starch and total soluble carbohydrates(TSC)in mature leaves also decreased under ED.However,the percentage of the daily C fixation reserved in mature leaves increased.These transient C pools were largely composed of TSC and were mainly used for consumption by increased nocturnal respiration rather than for transport.As the days went on,both the amount of C accumulated and the percentage of the daily fixed C that was reserved in leaves decreased,which could be largely accounted for by the attenuated starch synthesis in all treatments.The activities of ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase and soluble starch synthase decreased significantly over time.Therefore,this study concluded that both starch and TSC are involved in the coordination of the C supply and plant growth under a sudden C shortage but that they may be involved in different ways.While the ratio of reserved C to daily fixed C increased to maintain blade function under acute C starvation,both the amount and the proportion of C reserved in mature leaves decreased as plant growth continued in order to meet the growth demands of the plant.

Specific Expression of Maize SBEIIb Promoter Mediated by Different Promoter Region in Transgenic Tobacco Plants

Starch branching enzyme （SBE） catalyzes the biosynthesis of amylopectin. We described the isolation and characterization of SBEIIb promoter and their expression patterns in transgenic tobacco. Using the genomic DNA of maize cultivar Lunuo 1 as template, the SBEIIb promoter was isolated by PCR and was cloned into pMD18-T vector. To study SEBIIb gene regulation at the cellular level, SBEIIb promoter was fused to the ^-glucuronidase （GUS） report gene. The results of the fluorometric GUS assays indicate that the sbeⅡb-GUS fusion directed a seed-specific expression. Four series of constructs were made with the promoter and the GUS reporter gene to investigate the cis-acting analysis, showing that the four different constructs all can drive expression of the GUS gene in seed plumule and cotyledon and the GUS activity was apparently decreased with the progressive loss of promoter 5＇ end.

脱支玉米淀粉-壳聚糖复合物的制备及结构表征

为了探究脱支处理对玉米淀粉-壳聚糖复合物理化性质和流变特性的影响,以玉米淀粉(MS)为原料,用普鲁兰酶酶解脱支,将脱支淀粉(DBS)与壳聚糖(CS)溶液混合制备脱支玉米淀粉-壳聚糖复合物(DBS-CS),测定复合物的微观结构、粒径分布、结晶结构、分子短程有序结构、流变学特性。结果表明:脱支玉米淀粉-壳聚糖复合物的颗粒表面附着壳聚糖越多,颗粒间的结合力越紧密且复合物的平均粒径越大,热稳定性提高。脱支后的DBS和DBS-CS的结晶度降低,结晶结构由A型转变为B型。红外光谱和核磁共振氢谱表明淀粉与壳聚糖能够形成复合物且脱支后的玉米淀粉与壳聚糖复合效果更好。脱支淀粉-壳聚糖复合物具有典型的弱凝胶动态流变行为和假塑性剪切变稀行为。本研究结果为获得一种新型绿色的复合改性淀粉提供了理论依据。

EGCG对淀粉基乳液凝胶性质的影响

为探究表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(epigallocatechin gallate,EGCG)对蜡质玉米淀粉凝胶及其稳定的乳液凝胶性质的影响,该研究在制备淀粉凝胶的过程中添加EGCG,研究EGCG对淀粉凝胶结构性质、流变性质和乳化性质的影响。结果发现,添加EGCG可导致淀粉凝胶网络结构孔径增加、剪切应力和黏弹性增加。通过激光共聚焦荧光显微镜和冷冻电镜观察发现,不同EGCG添加量的淀粉凝胶能够在油滴表面形成不同的包覆结构,其中,EGCG添加量为12%的淀粉凝胶在油滴表面形成了均匀的凝胶网络包覆结构,能够抑制油滴聚结,形成的乳液凝胶在室温下贮藏1 a仍然具有良好的物理稳定性。这表明添加EGCG的淀粉凝胶能够作为乳化剂和凝胶剂用于构建食品级乳液凝胶,对食品和药品工业开发新型淀粉基乳液递送载体具有潜在应用价值。

直链淀粉含量对玉米淀粉-茶多酚乳液凝胶稳定性质的影响

将不同直链含量的玉米淀粉分别与茶多酚(tea polyphenols,TP)进行共热反应,制备玉米淀粉-TP凝胶,并将其用于稳定食品级乳液凝胶。通过检测不同直链含量的玉米淀粉-TP凝胶及其稳定的乳液凝胶的微观结构、流变学特性和乳化性能,探究直链淀粉含量对玉米淀粉-TP凝胶稳定的乳液凝胶性质的影响。结果发现,不同直链含量的玉米淀粉凝胶中TP的保留量不同,致使玉米淀粉-TP凝胶的微观结构不同。随着直链淀粉含量减少,玉米淀粉-TP凝胶稳定乳液凝胶中的油滴尺寸减小,乳液凝胶的黏度和黏弹性增加,说明乳液凝胶中形成了网络结构。通过冷冻电子显微镜观察发现,随着直链淀粉含量减少,乳液凝胶中形成了结构紧密的网络基质。这些凝胶网络基质附着在油滴周围,阻碍油滴聚结,从而保持乳液凝胶长期稳定。本研究为食品工业开发淀粉基乳液凝胶以及生物活性成分递送载体提供了一定的理论依据。

高直链玉米淀粉与面筋蛋白比例对复合面条加工适应性的影响

为探究高直链玉米淀粉(HAMS)、面筋蛋白和燕麦麸皮粉用于面条产品的加工适应性,将燕麦麸皮粉与不同比例(2∶2、3∶2、4∶2、5∶2)的HAMS与面筋蛋白混合并制备复合面条,分析其面团热机械学特性、面团动态流变学特性、面条食用品质和面条微观结构等。结果表明,随着HAMS比例增加,复合面团的吸水率显著降低(P<0.05),面团形成时间和稳定时间缩短;储能模量和损耗模量增加,损耗角正切(Tanδ)降低且均小于1,蠕变恢复率先增加后降低。随着HAMS比例增加,复合面条L值增加,a值和b值降低,蒸煮吸水率和蒸煮损失率降低,蒸煮后硬度、弹性和咀嚼性降低。扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和激光共聚焦显微镜(CLSM)结果显示,当HAMS与面筋蛋白比例超过4∶2时,HAMS颗粒能够更均匀地嵌在面筋网络中,使面筋网络形成更致密的结构,进而提升面条加工特性。本研究为功能性复合面条加工提供了新思路。

o2突变引起糯玉米籽粒淀粉积累差异研究

糯玉米是主要鲜食玉米类型,opaque2(o2)基因导入可增加籽粒赖氨酸含量,但同时引起籽粒皱缩、淀粉含量下降等,限制了其育种应用。为发掘优良糯玉米受体,以籽粒饱满圆型o2近等基因系(o2-NIL)糯2/wx1wx1o2o2和皱缩型黄糯2/wx1wx1o2o2为研究材料,通过对鲜食期、成熟期的百粒重和籽粒成分测定,发现淀粉和可溶性糖含量不同可能是导致2份糯玉米o2-NILs表型差异的主要原因。利用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析,发现授粉后10~24 d两糯玉米o2-NILs中6个淀粉合成基因动态表达模式不同,其中Sh1、Sh2、SSIIIa和SBEIIb差异较大。分析胚乳转录组数据,发现两糯玉米o2-NILs中24个海藻糖和糖基水解酶编码基因和48个o2胚乳修饰基因变化不同,以上结果表明淀粉合成关键基因前期表达量高,后期与对照无差异,且糖代谢基因表达变化有利于淀粉合成可能是糯2/wx1wx1o2o2淀粉含量和百粒重不受o2突变影响,籽粒性状明显优于黄糯2/wx1wx1o2o2的重要原因,同时多个胚乳修饰基因的差异表达可能与该结果直接相关。本研究结果可为o2突变体在玉米育种中的应用提供重要参考。

种植密度对沿淮玉米籽粒淀粉粒度分布与糊化特性的影响

分析不同种植密度对沿淮玉米籽粒中淀粉粒度分布与糊化特性的影响。以豫单132、京科968等13个玉米杂交品种为材料,设置56 250株/hm^(2)、67 500株/hm^(2)、77 250株/hm^(2)等3个种植密度,分析不同种植密度对玉米籽粒品质、淀粉粒度分布与糊化特性的影响。结果表明,在种植密度56 250~77250株/hm^(2)范围内,随着种植密度的增加,玉米籽粒的蛋白质和脂肪含量呈递减趋势,淀粉含量呈递增趋势,即淀粉/蛋白质比率增加。玉米籽粒大型淀粉粒体积和表面积百分比显著增加,小型淀粉粒却显著降低。增加种植密度后玉米淀粉的峰值黏度、低谷黏度、最终黏度和稀懈值等黏度参数均呈显著升高。相关分析表明,玉米籽粒峰值黏度等黏度参数与小、大型淀粉粒体积百分比呈正相关,与中型淀粉粒体积百分比呈显著或极显著负相关。说明种植密度影响玉米籽粒淀粉粒度分布、淀粉黏度参数和组分含量。