Preparation of glutinous rice starch/polyvinyl alcohol copolymer electrospun fibers for using as a drug delivery carrier

Glutinous rice starch(GRS) is commonly produced in the Northeast of Thailand. GRS is a biopolymer which is widely used in the food industry but not yet commonly applied within the pharmaceutical industry as an alternative resource. GRS exhibits a branch chain structure which is not feasible to fabricate as nanofiber. Therefore, combining GRS with polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) in hybrid form can be a potential platform to produce GRS-PVA nanofibers.Smooth nanofibers of 2%(w/v) GRS combined with 8%(w/v) PVA were fabricated by an electrospinning process. A scanning electron microscope(SEM) revealed an average diameter size of the GRS-PVA nanofibers equal to 191 ± 25 nm. A highly water soluble model drug,Chlorpheniramine maleate(CPM), was incorporated into the GRS-PVA electrospun fibers to prove a drug delivery carrier concept and drug release control of the nanofibers. The GRSPVA nanofibers exhibited a biphasic CPM release in which approximately 60% of the drug immediately released in 10 min, and it reached 90% drug release in 120 min. This study demonstrated a potential application of GRS combining with PVA as an oral drug delivery carrier.Therefore, it can be a promised step that expands the application GRS in pharmaceuticals and related areas.

Effect of Temperature on Rice Starch Biosynthesis Metabolism at Grain-Filling Stage of Early Indica Rice

The sucrose content, starch content and the ratio of amylose to total starch and the activities of six key enzymes, sucrose synthase(SS) , soluble starch synthesis enzyme(SSS) , ADPG pyrophosphorylase (ADPG-Ppase) , granule-boundstarch synthase (GBSS), starch branching enzyme (SBE) and debranching enzyme (DBE) , which involved in starch synthesis metabolism of developing rice grains and effect of temperature on their activities were analyzed by using two early indica varieties Zhefu49 and Jiazao935 in phyto-trons, the daily average temperature was 22 and 32℃, respectively. Results showed that the sucrose content, the starch content, and the activities of enzymes such as SS, ADPG-Ppase, SSS, SBE, and DBE were generally higher under the high temperature treatment (32℃)at the beginning stage as compared with that under low temperature treatment (22℃). However, at the middle and late stages, there were great differences in the change trend of some enzyme activities, and the association with the sucrose content and starch content was very complicated. It could be found that the activities of SS and SSS under high temperature were always lower than that under low temperature, which was closely related to the variation of the sucrose content and starch-accumulating rate. Moreover, compared with ADPG-Ppase, the SS and SSS activities were more sensitive to temperature, indicating that SS and SSS were controlled by enzyme through affecting starch accumulating rate. Difference of the amylose/total starch ratio in developing grains between 32 and 22℃was significant and the lower amylose/total starch ratio was always lower in 32℃, which was closely related to the lower activity level of GBSS. Therefore, it could be concluded that effect of temperature on amylose /total starch was more attributable to GBSS rather than to SS, SSS, ADPG-Ppase, SBE and DBE.

Effects of Different Sowing Dates and Sites on Starch RVA Profile Characteristics of Different Ecotypes of Rice (Oryza sativa, L. japonica)

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of different sowing dates and sites on starch RVA profile characteristics of different ecotypes of japonica rice. [Method] Five different ecotypes of japonica rice were sown at seven different dates in four rice planting regions in Jiangsu Province to analyze the differences in starch RVA profile parameters among different rice varieties. [Result] Among eight parameters of rice starch RVA profile, peak time exhibited no significant differences among different sites, while other seven parameters varied significantly or extremely significantly among different sites, sowing dates and varieties. Specifically, rice variety exerted the most significant effects on rice starch RVA profile parameters. Starch RVA profile characteristics varied significantly among different ecological conditions but exhibited no significant differences among different latitudes. To be specific, in different sites, peak viscosity （PKV）, hot paste viscosity （HPV） and breakdown viscosity （BDV） demonstrated a descending order of Huai＇an 〉 Suzhou 〉 Lianyungang 〉 Yangzhou. Cool paste viscosity （CPV） and consistence viscosity （CSV） were higher in the north than in the south; specifically, CPV and CSV were significantly higher in Lianyungang and Huai＇an than in Yangzhou and Suzhou. Setback viscosity （SBV） showed an increasing trend with increasing latitude; specifically, SBV was significantly lower in Suzhou than in other three sites. Pasting temperature （PAT） and peak time （PET） changed slightly among different latitudes. With the postponing of sowing date, peak viscosity （PKV）, hot paste viscosity （HPV）, cool paste viscosity （CPV） and peak time （PET） showed a decreasing trend, setback viscosity （SBV） and consistence viscosity （CSV） increased, breakdown viscosity （BDV） increased first and then decreased, whereas pasting temperature （PAT） decreased first and then increased. Furthermore, rice starch RVA profile parameters showed the same variation trend with sowing date in different sites; early sowing within suitable sowing dates could effectively improve the parameters of rice starch RVA profile. However, different parameters exerted different variations among different sites and most parameters were higher in the north than in the south, which indicated that starch RVA profile parameters were significantly affected by sowing date in the north of Jiangsu Province. Among eight starch RVA profile parameters, setback viscosity exhibited the maximum variation coefficient, while peak time exhibited the minimum variation coefficient. Among five rice varieties, Nanjing 46 exhibited the highest peak viscosity and breakdown viscosity and the lowest setback viscosity and consistence viscosity, suggesting that Nanjing 46 had the most appropriate starch RVA profile characteristics and the best cooking and eating quality. Lianjing 4 exhibited relatively high peak viscosity and breakdown viscosity, and relatively low setback viscosity and consistence viscosity, suggesting that Lianjing 4 had good starch RVA profile characteristics. Different sowing dates and sites exerted significant effects on starch RVA profiles of different eco- types of japonica rice. Rice starch RVA profile characteristics varied significantly among different sites but exhibited no significant variations among different latitudes. In addition, starch RVA profile characteristics varied significantly among different sowing dates. Therefore, early sowing of the same variety was conducive to improving starch RVA profile characteristics in appropriate planting regions. [Conclusion] This study provided a theoretical basis for producing high-quality rice and improving the eating quality of rice in Jiangsu Province.

Optimization of nitrogen fertilization improves rice quality by affecting the structure and physicochemical properties of starch at high yield levels

A major challenge in modern rice production is to achieve the dual goals of high yield and good quality with low environmental costs.This study was designed to determine whether optimized nitrogen(N)fertilization could fulfill these multiple goals.In two-year experiments,two high yielding‘super’rice cultivars were grown with different N fertilization management regimes,including zero N input,local farmers’practice(LFP)with heavy N inputs,and optimized N fertilization(ONF).In ONF,by reducing N input,increasing planting density,and optimizing the ratio of urea application at different stages,N use efficiency and the physicochemical and textural properties of milled rice were improved at higher yield levels.Compared with LFP,yield and partial factor productivity of applied N(PFP)under ONF were increased(on average)by 1.70 and 13.06%,respectively.ONF increased starch and amylose content,and significantly decreased protein content.The contents of the short chains of A chain(degree of polymerization(DP)6-12)and B1 chain(DP 13-25)of amylopectin were significantly increased under ONF,which resulted in a decrease in the stability of rice starch crystals.ONF increased viscosity values and improved the thermodynamic properties of starch,which resulted in better eating and cooking quality of the rice.Thus,ONF could substantially compensate the negative effects caused by N fertilizer and achieve the multiple goals of higher grain quality and nitrogen use efficiency(NUE)at high yield levels.These results will be useful for applications of high quality rice production at high yield levels.

Radio frequency energy regulates the multi-scale structure,digestive and physicochemical properties of rice starch

Radio frequency (RF) heating as an emerging technology was applied to regulate the structural,digestive and physicochemical properties of rice starch.In vitro digestibility results showed that RF treatment enhanced the resistant starch content and reduced the rapidly digestible starch content of rice starch,resulting in higher resistant to enzyme hydrolysis.Microstructure analysis indicated that RF treatment caused the granular surface erosions and morphology changes with increasing treatment time.RF treatment did not alter the A-type crystal form of starch,but disrupted the relative crystallinity,short-range molecular order,and lamellar structure in different degrees.Moreover,the DSC results suggested that starch orders with a higher thermal stability formed after RF treatment,thereby reducing the accessibility of starch granules to the enzyme.Furthermore,rapid viscosity analysis revealed that RF treatment significantly reduced the peak viscosity and breakdown of indica and japonica rice starch,while increased them in waxy rice starch.The rheological properties of rice starch were also changed after RF treatment.This work provides a theoretical basis for the application of RF technology in starch modification.

Purification of Starch from Cadmium-Contaminated Rice and Development of Functional Recombinant Rice

In order to provide a new utilization method for cadmium-contaminated rice,a preliminary study of the removal of rice starch cadmium by water,calcium hydroxide,sodium hydroxide and citric acid was conducted,the damage degree of starch was compared by SEM,and then the recombinant rice was obtained by a twin-screw extruder using the starch which met the safety standard.The physical and chemical properties of recombinant rice were analyzed by acid hydrolysis and texture analyzer.The results showed that citric acid was a good rice cadmium removal agent.The quality of recombinant rice prepared from cadmium-removed rice starch was improved;the acid resistance was increased.Heavy metal contaminated rice can be a staple food with better quality and higher value through processing.

Editing of Rice Isoamylase Gene ISA1 Provides Insights into Its Function in Starch Formation

Isoamylase 1(ISA1) is an isoamylase-type debranching enzyme which plays a predominant role in amylopectin synthesis. In this study, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated endonuclease 9(CRISPR/Cas9) system was used to edit ISA1 gene in rice via Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. We identified 36 genetic edited lines from 55 T_0 transgenic events, and classified the mutation forms into 7 types. Of those, two homozygous mutants, cr-isa1-1(type 1, with an adenine insertion) and cr-isa1-2(type 3, with a cytosine deletion) were selected for further analysis. Seed sizes of both cr-isa1-1 and cr-isa1-2 were affected, and the two mutants also displayed a shrunken endosperm with significantly lower grain weight. Electron microscopy analysis showed that abnormal starch granules and amyloplasts were found in cr-isa1-1 and cr-isa1-2 endosperm cells. The contents of total starch, amylose and amylopectin in the endosperm of the cr-isa1 mutants were significantly reduced, whereas sugar content and starch gel consistency were observably increased compared to the wild-type. The gelatinization temperature and starch chain length distributions of the cr-isa1 mutants were also altered. Moreover, transcript levels of most starch synthesis-related genes were significantly lower in cr-isa1 mutants. In conclusion, the results indicated that gene edition of ISA1 affected starch synthesis and endosperm development, and brought potential implications for rice quality breeding.

Effect of high temperature on the expressions of genes encoding starch synthesis enzymes in developing rice endosperms

High temperature is the major environmental factor affecting grain starch properties of cooking rice cultivars. In this study, two non-waxy indica rice genotypes, cv. 9311 and its mutant with extremely high amylose phenotype（9311eha） were used to study the differential expressions of genes in starch synthesis and their responses to high temperature（HT）. Significant increase in apparent amylose content and hot-water-soluble starch content in mutant 9311 eha were genetically caused by a substitution from AGTTATA to AGGTATA at the leader intron 5′ splice site in Wx gene. This mutation resulted in different m RNA transcript levels, m RNA splicing efficiencies and protein levels of Wx between the two rice genotypes, which also lead to the genotype-dependent alteration in the temporal pattern of Wx transcription and granule-bound starch synthase（GBSS） activity in response to HT. However, changes in the activities of other starch synthesizing enzymes and their expressions of distinct isoform genes were not significant with the Wx gene mutation, thus only minor difference in the particle size of starch granule, chain-length distribution and gelatinization enthalpy were found between the two genotypes. The temporal-specific expression of multiple isoform genes responsive to different temperature regiments indicated that the reduction of GBSS transcript expression under HT was generally accompanied by the decreased expressions of SSSIIa, SSSIIIa and SBEIIb. Consequently, high temperature-ripened grains in 9311 eha showed high proportion of intermediate and long B chains and somewhat lower level of short A chain compared to the wildtype. The temperature-dependent alteration of amylose content was not only attributed to the reduced expression of GBSS, but also associated with the complimentary effect of SSSIIa and SBEIIb.

Suppression of starch synthase I(SSI) by RNA interference alters starch biosynthesis and amylopectin chain distribution in rice plants subjected to high temperature

Based on known cDNAs of rice starch synthase isoforms,we constructed dsRNA interference vectors for starch synthase I(SSI)to produce transgenic plants containing starch with a moderately high amylose content.We investigated the effect of SSI suppression on grain quality traits,starch biosynthesis,and amylopectin chain distribution in rice plants exposed to two different temperature regimes.The activities and transcripts of BEs,DBEs,and other SS isoforms were further investigated to clarify the effect of SSI suppression on these key enzymes and their specific isoforms under different temperature treatments.Suppression of SSI by RNAi altered grain starch component and amylopectin chain distribution,but it exerted only a slight effect on total starch content(%)and accumulation amount(mg kernel?1)and on starch granule morphology and particle size distribution.Under normal temperature(NT),insignificant differences in kernel weight,chalky kernel proportion,chalky degree,and starch granule morphology between SSI-RNAi line and its wild type(WT)were observed.However,amylose content(AC)level and granule-bound starch synthase(GBSS)activity in rice endosperms were markedly increased by SSI-RNAi suppression.The chalky kernel proportion and chalky degree of SSIRNAi lines were significantly higher than those of WT under high temperature(HT)exposure at filling stage.Inhibition of SSI by RNAi affected amylopectin chain distribution and raised starch gelatinization temperature(GT)in two ways:directly from the SSI deficiency itself and indirectly by reducing BEIIb amounts in an SSI-deficient background.The deficiency of SSI expression led to an alteration in the susceptibility of grain chalkiness occurrence and starch gelatinization temperature to HT exposure,owing to a pleiotropic effect of SSI deficiency on the expression of other genes associated with starch biosynthesis.

Physico-Chemical Properties of Flour, Starch, and Modified Starch of Two Rice Varieties

The physical and chemical properties of the flours, starches, and modified starches of indica rice and japonica rice were investigated in this paper. Results showed that the swelling powers of flour, starch, and phosphate starch [substitution degree （DS）=0.065] of japonica rice were significantly higher than those （DS=0.065） of indica rice. The transmittance of modified starches was highest; and that of flours was lowest. The pasting property investigated with rapid visco analyzer （RVA） indicated that the peak viscosity and breakdown value of paste with high swelling power were high. Furthermore, the effect of protein and amylose content on pasting property were investigated. The results of rheological properties determined using rheological rheometer showed that at the same temperature, the storage modulus （G′ of flour, starch, and modified starch of indica rice was higher than that of japonica rice. For each variety, the G′of flour was the highest, while the G′of modified starch was the lowest.

Changes in Activities of the Key Enzymes Related to Starch Synthesis in Rice Grains During Grain Filling and Their Relationships with the Filling Rate and Cooking Quality

With 10 rice cultivars (lines) as materials, the changes in activities of adenosine diphosphoglucose pyrophosphorylase(ADPGPase), starch synthase (SSase) and starch branching enzyme (Q-enzyme) in the grains during grain filling, and theirrelationships with the filling rate, gel consistency (GC), alkali spreading value (ASV) and amylose content (AC) werestudied. The results showed that changes in activities of ADPGPase, SSase and Q-enzyme exhibited a single peak duringgrain filling, and the time of the activity peaks for the former two enzymes was earlier than that of the maximum grain-fillingrate (Tmax), and the time reaching the peak for Q-enzyme was synchronous with Tmax. The activities at early grain fillingstage, and the mean and maximum activities of each enzyme during grain filling period were positively and significantly orvery significantly correlated with the mean and maximum grain filling rate and starch content (mg grain-1) in the grains.Activities of ADPGPase at all grain filling stages and those of Q-enzyme at the early and mid filling stages were notsignificantly correlated the cooking quality (GC, ASV and AC). SSase activities at the early filling stage were significantlyand negatively correlated with GC and ASV, and positively correlated with AC. Activities of SSase at mid and late grainfilling stages and Q-enzyme at the late filling stage were significantly and positively correlated with GC and ASV, andnegatively correlated with AC. Spraying zeatin or abscisic acid at early grain filling stage could obviously regulate theactivities of ADPGPase, SSase and Q-enzyme in the grains.

Association Mapping and Marker Development of Genes forStarch Lysophospholipid Synthesis in Rice

Phospholipids are a major kind of lipids in rice grains and have fundamental nutritional andfunctional benefits to the plant. Their lyso forms （lysophospholipids, LPLs） often form inclusion complexeswith amylose or independently influence the physicochemical and functional properties of rice starch.However, the genetic basis for LPL synthesis in rice endosperm is largely unknown. Here, we performeda preliminary association test of 13 LPL compositions among 20 rice accessions, and identified 22putative main-effect quantitative trait loci responsible for all LPLs except for LPC14：0 and LPE14：0. Fivederived cleaved amplified polymorphic sequences and one insertion/deletion marker for threeLPL-synthesis-related candidate genes were developed. Association analysis revealed two markerssignificantly associated with starch LPL traits. These results provide an insight into the genetic basis ofphospholipid biosynthesis in rice and may contribute to the rice quality breeding programs usingfunctional markers.

The Effect of High Temperature after Anthesis on Rice Quality and Starch Granule Structure of Endosperm

To ascertain the effect mechanism of high temperature after anthesis on rice quality, the experiment was conducted with two rice lines, the heat-tolerant line 996 and heat-sensitive line 4628, with high temperature and optimal temperature in the growth chamber to investigate the effect of high temperature stress after anthesis on rice appearance quality, milling quality, cooking and eating quality and starch granule structure of endo- sperm. The result showed that milled rice rate, head rice rate, amylose content and gel consistency of both lines decreased under high temperature stress after anthesis, while the ratio of grain length to width, chalky rate, chalkiness, protein content increased. Under high temperature treatments, gelatinization temperature, final viscosity, set back and peak time increased, breakdown decreased, Mg content and K content increased, Mg/K ra- tio decreased. Under same treatment, the extent of rice quality of heat tolerant line 996 affected by high temperature was lower than that of heat sensitive line 4628. Under high temperature stress after anthesis, starch granule arranged untightly, most of starch granules existed in the form of a single starch endosperm, refractive index decreased, transparency reduced, and led to the formation of chalk. Under high temperature stress af- ter anthesis, the increase of protein content, the decrease of Mg/K, the changes of rice RVA profile characteristics and starch granule structure of endosperm could be the main reason for the decrease of rice cooking and eating quality and appearance quality.

Changes in Starch Accumulation and Activity of Enzymes Associated with Starch Synthesis of Rice at Different N Supplying Dates

The changes in grain-filling, starch accumulation and activity of enzymes associated with starch synthesis in two different hybrid rice varieties were analyzed at different N supplying dates (earlier-date-emphasized, mean-date-emphasized and later-date- emphasized). The results showed that the N application of later-date-emphasized could promote grain-filling rate, increase grain weight and amylopectin content. The peak of activity in three enzymes of ADPglusoce pyriphosphorylase (ADPG), starch synthesis enzyme (SSS) and starch branching enzyme (SBE) in grains of two different rice varieties was not changed obviously, but the mean and maximum activity of these three enzymes changed, and the changes of SSS and ADPG were bigger than that of SBE as N supplying date changed. The N application of earlier-date-emphasized increased SSS activity and the N application of later-date-emphasized increased ADPG and SBE activities. The mean SSS activity during whole grain-filling period, and ADPG and SBE activities at middle and late period of grain-filling were significantly or very significantly correlated with grain-filling rate and accumulating rate of amylose and amylopectin. Both of ADPG and SBE played an equal important role in the changes of amylose and amylopectin content. The N application of later-date-emphasized increased amylose and amylopectin accumulating rate.

The Source of Genes Related to Rice Grain Starch Synthesis Among Cultivated Varieties and Its Contribution to Quality

The property of starch in rice grain endosperm is a very important determinant for rice quality, and it is essential to understand the genetic effect of the genes related to starch synthesis in high-yielding rice varieties for rice quality improvement. The physicochemical properties （e.g., amylose content, gel consistency, and RVA profile） were assessed on 53 rice varieties, including certain typical indica/japonica landraces and certain high-yielding modern varieties. And molecular markers for Sbel, Sbe3 developed on the basis of sequence diversities between the rice subspecies indica and japonica, together with PCR-Acc I marker for Wx gene were used to investigate the genotypes of 53 rice cultivars. The result showed that the developed molecular markers for Wx, Sbel, Sbe3 could distinguish indica or japonica alleles at three loci. Among all the 53 rice cultivars, six genotypes were observed when Sbel, Sbe3, and Wx loci were considered together, while the genotypes of WxiSbelJSbe3i and WxiSbelJSbe3J were absent. In order to explore the genetic effects of the three genes, especially for starch branching enzyme genes, ANOVA and multiple comparison analysis were conducted. The results showed that rice cultivars with different genotypes exhibited different phenotypes, including amylose content, gel consistency and certain RVA characteristics, and the significant differences among the six genotypes were observed. It was concluded that these three genes had randomly recombined during the process of the rice variety development. And the genetic effects of indica and japonica alleles at three gene loci were different, of which, Wx gene plays a major role in determining the starch properties, followed by Sbel and Sbe3, and the genetic effects of Sbel and Sbe3 in different backgrounds （Wx~, WxJ） are different. The results have provided a clue for rice good quality variety development, and the molecular markers will benefit to the improvement in quality of rice.

Relationship Between Variation in Activities of Key Enzymes Related to Starch Synthesis During Grain Filling Period and Quality of Eating and Cooking in Rice

Four japonica rice varieties with significant differences in quality of eating and cooking were used in the experiment. The varieties showed differences in amylose and amylopectin contents at different grain filling stages, which were attributed to the accumulative speed of starch at different grain filling stages. During grain filling period, the varieties had no difference in the time when the activities of ADPglocose pyrophosphorylase （AGPP） and soluble starch synthesis （SSS） reached a maximum, but had difference in the time when the activity of starch branching enzyme （SBE） reached a maximum, in which the inferior quality varieties were earlier than the high quality ones, and high quality varieties still kept high enzyme activities at the late stage of grain filling. The correlation and correlative degree between AGPP, SSS, SBE and amylose content, amylopectin content, taste meter value, and RVA properties varied with the different stages of grain filling. The correlation between SSS activity and taste meter value was not significant during the whole period of grain filling, but the activities of AGPP and SBE had significant or highly significant correlation with taste meter value. It was helpful for improving quality of eating and cooking of japonica rice to use the materials with low enzyme activity at the early stage of grain filling or high enzyme activity at the late stage as parents.

Transformation of Sucrose to Starch and Protein in Rice Leaves and Grains under Two Establishment Methods

Six rice varieties, PR120, PR116, Feng Ai Zan, PR115, PAU201 and Punjab Mehak 1 were raised under aerobic and transplanting conditions to assess the effects of planting conditions on sucrose metabolising enzymes in relation to the transformation of free sugars to starch and protein in flag leaves and grains. Activities of sucrose synthase, sucrose phosphate synthase and acid invertase increased till flowering stage in leaves and mid-milky stage（14 d after flowering） in grains and thereafter declined in concomitant with the contents of reducing sugar. Under aerobic conditions, the activities of acid invertase and sucrose synthase（cleavage） significantly decreased in conjunction with the decrease in non-reducing sugars and starch content in all the varieties. Disruption of starch biosynthesis under the influence of aerobic conditions in both leaves and grains and the higher build up of sugars possibly resulted in their favoured utilization in nitrogen metabolism. Feng Ai Zan, PR115 and PR120 maintained higher levels of sucrose synthase enzymes in grains and leaves and contents of metabolites（amino acid, protein and non-reducing sugar） under aerobic conditions, while PR116, Punjab Mehak 1 and PAU201 performed better under transplanting conditions, thus showing their adaptation to environmental stress. Yield gap between aerobic and transplanting rice is attributed primarily to the difference in sink activity and strength. Overall, it appear that up-regulation of sucrose synthase（synthesis） and sucrose phosphate synthase under aerobic conditions might be responsible in enhancing growth and productivity of rice varieties.

Temperature Stress at Grain Filling Stage Mediates Expression of Three Isoform Genes Encoding Starch Branching Enzymes in Rice Endosperm

An early-maturity indica rice variety Zhefu 49, whose grain quality and starch structure are sensitive to environmental temperature, was subjected to different temperatures （32℃ for high temperature and 22℃ for optimum temperature） at the grain filling stage in plant growth chambers, and the different expressions of three isoform genes （SBEI, SBEIII and SBE/V） encoding starch branching enzyme （SBE） in the endosperms were studied by the real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR （FQ-PCR） method. Effects of high temperature on the SBE expression in developing rice endosperrns were isoform-dependent. High temperature significantly down-regulated the expressions of SBEI and SBEIII, while up-regulated the expression of SBEIV. Compared with SBEIV and SBEIII, the expression of SBEI gene in Zhefu 49 rice endosperms was more sensitive to temperature variation at the grain filling stage. This study indicates that changes in weather/climate conditions especially temperature stress influence rice grain formation and its quality as evidenced by isoform expression.

Soaking Induced Changes in Chemical Composition, Glycemic Index and Starch Characteristics of Basmati Rice

An attempt was made to determine the qualitative changes in basmati rice （Pusa Basmati 1121, PBl121） during soaking at 40 ℃ to 80 ℃. Soaking temperature had significant effect （a = 0.01） on chemical composition, glycemic index and starch characteristics of rice. Starch content, apparent amylose content, crude protein content and crude fat content in un-soaked rice were found to be 73.24%, 27.26%, 8.79% and 2.56%, respectively, but differences in these traits were observed after soaking. Amylose to amylopectin ratio （Am/Ap） decreased from 0.59 to 0.52 （soaked at 80 ℃）. Crude fibre and crude ash contents increased after soaking. The mineral composition （K, P, S, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn） in soaked rice was found to be 16.46% higher than un-soaked rice at the same degree of polishing. Glycemic index of un-soaked rice was found to be 58.41, but decreased to 54.31 after soaking at 80 ℃. Pasting properties, scanning electron microscope images, and X-ray diffractograms suggested partial gelatinization of starch in the temperature range of 60 ℃ to 80 ℃. Based on qualitative changes in rice （apparent amylose content, Am/Ap ratio and crystallinity rate）, it was concluded that intermediate soakincl temperatures （60 ℃ to 70 ℃） would be useful for soaking of PB1121.

Effect of Temperature at Grain Filling Stage on Activities of Key Enzymes Related to Starch Synthesis and Grain Quality of Rice

Three japonica rice varieties with different cooking and eating quality were grown at high temperature in the greenhouse and natural field. Effects of temperature at the grain filling stage on these varieties were investigated in terms of the activities of key enzymes related to starch synthesis and cooking and eating quality of rice grain. The high temperature at the grain filling stage increased protein content, and decreased amylose content and taste meter value of rice; inferior grain quality varieties showed a greater magnitude of the increase or decrease than the superior ones. Reaction of rapid visco analyser profiles to the temperature varied with rice varieties. The activities of adenosine diphosphoglucose pyrophosphoryiase （AGPP）, soluble starch synthase （SSS） and starch branching enzyme （SBE） gradually increased to a peak value, and thereafter declined as grain filling progressed. Enzyme activities in different varieties differed in a same filling stage, and also in the time when the enzyme activity reached a maximum. AGPP and SSS were insensitive to the environmental temperature, but SBE was comparatively sensitive to the temperature, and its activity declined when temperature was too high or too low.