Nutritional and Sensory Properties of Penne-Type Pasta Based on Cereals (Oryza sativa (L.), Digitaria exilis, Pennicetum glaucum), Tubers (Ipomoea batata, Manihot esculenta Crantz), and a Legume (Vigna unguiculata (L.))

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional and sensory characteristics of penne-type pasta produced from locally sourced cereals, tubers, and legumes. To achieve this, we formulated four different types of pasta with varying levels of incorporation ranging from 10 to 50% cereals such as millet, fonio, and rice, tubers such as manioc and sweet potato, and legumes such as cowpea. The results showed that the incorporation of local products considerably improved the nutrient content of penne without being rejected by consumers. Sensory analysis showed that the best results were obtained with mixtures of sweet potato, cowpea, and wheat, as well as with rice, manioc, cowpea, and sample wheat. These results are of great importance to manufacturers in a world where developing nutritious and attractive food products is a crucial challenge.

Production of Yam Tubers Using Seed Tubers from Vitroplants Regenerated from Aerial Stems in the Yam Species Dioscorea alata (L.) and Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata (L. & P.) in Côte d’Ivoire

The aim of this study is to produce large quantities of yam tubers in the field from seed tubers derived from vitroplants regenerated from aerial stem cuttings and farmers’ tuber seeds. Seed tubers from ten yam cultivars, including five from Dioscorea alata (cDa083, cDa053, cDa115, cDa150 and cDa266) and five from Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata (cDr015, cDr027, cDr150, cDr206 and cDr148) with distinct agro-morphological characteristics, were used as material. A completely randomized block design with 3 replications was used. In each block, all cultivars and seed types were represented. When put into cultivation, the tubers produced by the vitroplants all germinated and gave 100% healthy plants, compared with 86% to 100% healthy plants for the seed tubers produced by the farmers. Yields per hectare ranged from 10 to 25 tonnes for seed tubers produced by in vitro plants, and from 4 to 9 tons for seed tubers produced by farmers. Seed tubers from vitroplants can therefore be recommended to farmers as a solution to the problem of seed tuber unavailability.

Effect of Phytohormones on Adventitious Bud Differentiation from Bulb Scales of Oriental Lily Test-tube Plantlets

[Objective] The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of differ- ent phytohormones on the adventitious bud differentiation of oriental lily. [Method] The bulb scales of the test-tube plantlets of Tiber, Rodina and Constanta were cul- tured in media supplemented with different cytokinin and auxin at different concen- tration, and then the adventitious buds in each treatment were calculated. [Result] Cytokinins had different influence on the adventitious bud differentiation of the three oriental lily cultivars. Among them, 6-BA had the best effect to induce the adventi- tious bud differentiation from bulb scales of Tiber and Rodina, but there was some difference in the optimal concentration. KT had the best effect to induce the adven- titious bud differentiation of Constanta. The auxins had little influence on the quality of the adventitious bud of the three oriental lily cultivars, but caused some difference in differentiation coefficients. [Conclusion] The most suitable media for the adventi- tious bud differentiation from bulb scales in vitro of Tiber, Rodina and Constanta were MS＋0.2 mg/L 6-BA＋0.2 mg/L 2,4-D, MS＋I.0 mg/L 6-BA＋0.2 mg/L IAA, MS＋ 1.0 mg/L KT＋0.5 mg/L 2,4-D, respectively.

Investigation on the Appropriate Dose of ^(60)Co-γ Irradiation for Tubers of Purple Sweet Potato

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the appropriate dose of 60^Co-γ irradiation for tubers of purple sweet potato.[Methods] The tubers of two purple sweet potato varieties Xuzi L-7 and Yuenanzi were used as experimental materials,and treated with 60^Co-γ irradiation at different doses（0,25,50,75,100,125 and 150 Gy） to determine the emergence rate,number of emerged seedlings per tuber and fresh weight per seedling.[Results] After the 60^Co-γ irradiation at different doses,the emergence period of tubers was postponed while the emergence rate,number of emerged seedlings per tuber and fresh weight per plant were decreased,and the differences between different varieties and different irradiation doses reached significance level.Compared with the control,the emergence period of tubers at irradiation doses above 25 Gy were postponed by 2,3,5,6 and 12 d,respectively.[Conclusion] The half lethal dose（LD50） of Xuzi L-7 was 66.73 Gy,and that of Yuenanzi was 74.96 Gy.

Effect of processing on the alkaloids in Aconitum tubers by HPLC-TOF/MS

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2015, only processed Aconitum tubers can be clinically applied, and the effect of processing is unclear. This research aimed to explore the effect of processing on cardiac efficacy of alkaloids in Aconitum tubers. First, the chemical ingredients in unprocessed and processed Aconitum tubers were identified and compared by using high performance liquid chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry(HPLC-TOF/MS) and multivariate pattern recognition methods. Then the representative alkaloids in Aconitum tubers, aconitine, benzoylaconine, and aconine, which belong to diester-diterpenoid alkaloids,monoester-diterpenoid alkaloids, and amine-diterpenoid alkaloids, respectively, were selected for further validation of attenuated mechanism. Subsequent pharmacological experiments with aconitine, benzoylaconine,and aconine in SD rats were used to validate the effect of processing on cardiac functions. After processing the Aconitum tubers, it was found that the contents of diester-diterpenoid alkaloids were reduced, and those of monoester-diterpenoid alkaloids and amine-diterpenoid alkaloids were increased, suggesting that diesterditerpenoid alkaloids were transformed into monoester-diterpenoid alkaloids and amine-diterpenoid alkaloids.Through further decocting the aconitine in boiling water, it was confirmed that the three alkaloids could be progressively transformed. Pharmacological experiments with aconitine, benzoylaconine, and aconine in SD rats showed that aconitine at a dose of 0.01 mg/kg and aconine at a dose of 10 mg/kg enhanced the cardiac function, while benzoylaconine at a dose of 2 mg/kg weakened the cardiac function. The effect of processing is attributed to the transformation of the most toxic diester-diterpenoid alkaloids into less toxic monoesterditerpenoid alkaloids and amine-diterpenoid alkaloids.

Effects of Processing on Antioxidant Capacity and Metabolizing Enzyme Inhibition of Tiger Nut Tubers

Tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus), commonly referred to as chufa, is a “nut-like” tuber, native to tropical and Mediterranean regions. It is often consumed in the form of a beverage (horchata de chufa). Health benefits of tiger nut have been attributed to presence of phytochemicals and their antioxidant potential. Tiger nut is often processed in order to enhance sensory characteristics. The objective of study was to determine effects of processing on antioxidant content, potential and inhibition of metabolizing enzyme activities of tiger nuts. Total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), free radical scavenging activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and inhibition of lipase and α-amylase were evaluated in raw tiger nuts extracted with water (TRWA) and methanol (TRWM) and roasted (110°C – 115°C for 10 mins) tiger nuts extracted with water (TRA) and methanol (TRM). Highest phenolic content was observed in TRWA (1186.68 GAE/100g) and TRWM had lowest (43.77 GAE/100g). TRWA also exhibited highest ferric reducing ability with a FRAP value of 169.83 mm Fe2+/100g). TRWM had a higher flavonoid content (220.68 CAE/100g) compared to all other extracts. At a concentration of 0.02 mg/ml, all extracts reached at least 50% inhibition of DPPH, while highest scavenging activity was observed in TRM (58%). Highest TEAC was observed in TRM with 55.66% of ABTS radical scavenged. TRA had a significantly higher ability to inhibit α-amylase and lipase compared to other extracts. Results suggest that processing had an effect on the antioxidant potential of tiger nut, and this tuber may benefit consumers by improving their antioxidant status.

The Application of K Phosphites to Seed Tubers Enhanced Emergence, Early Growth and Mycorrhizal Colonization in Potato (<i>Solanum tuberosum</i>)

Rapid emergence and a vigorous growth prevent the seed tubers from infections by soil microbes and allow a rapid interception of solar radiation. In this work, the effect of the potassium phosphites (KPhi) applied to seed tubers of two potato cultivars on crop emergence and early growth was studied. Two experiments were performed under greenhouse and field conditions. Emergence of plants, leaf area, dry matter and the number of primary stems were measured in both experiments. Furthermore, mycorrhizal colonization was also measured on roots under field conditions. The application of KPhi reduced the period between planting and emergence, and increased leaf area and dry matter. The ratio between dry matter of aerials and underground organs was not affected by KPhi. Indigenous mycorrhizal colonization increased after KPhi application to seed tubers. These results confirm the benefit of the application of KPhi to seed tubers on early plant growth and suggest that their application in crop production would be advantageous.

Glycemic index of cereals and tubers produced in China

AIM： To determine the GI of some cereals and tubers produced in China in an effort to establish the database of glycemic index （GI） of Chinese food.METHODS： Food containing 50 g carbohydrate was consumed by 8-12 healthy adults after they have been fasted for 10 h and blood glucose was monitored for 2 h. Glucose was used as reference food. GI of food was calculated according to a standard method.RESULTS： GI of 9 types of sugar and 60 kinds of food were determined.CONCLUSION： Food GI is mainly determined by nature of carbohydrate and procession. Most of cereals and tubers produced in China have similar GI with their counterparts produced in other countries.

Wintering Swan Geese maximize energy intake through substrate foraging depth when feeding on buried Vallisneria natans tubers

Background: Foraging theory predicts that animals select patches that offer the highest net rate of energy gain. Hence, prey distribution patterns and spatiotemporal heterogeneity play important roles in determining animal feeding patch selection. For waterfowl foraging on buried aquatic plant tubers, the distribution and biomass of these plant organs vary with depth in the substrate. Since excavation costs also increase with depth, the energy intake of the animals foraging on these plants is highly sediment depth dependent. Methods: Here, using observations of Swan Geese (Anser cygnoides) foraging on Vallisneria natans tubers, we test our hypothesis that geese feeding on tubers buried at intermediate sediment depth maximize their daily energy intake because of the interaction between tuber size and abundance with depth. To do this, we measured the distribution patterns of buried Vallisneria tubers under both undisturbed conditions and post-exploitation by geese (i.e. giving-up conditions). We investigated the relationship between tuber size and burial depth, and total tuber biomass within each sediment layer in undisturbed and exploited plots. Finally, we compared modelled Swan Goose daily energy intake feeding on Vallisneria tubers buried at different sediment layers (1–10, 11–20 and 21–30 cm below the surface). Results: Dry weight of Vallisneria tubers linearly increased with burial depth, while average total dry weight density of tubers showed a unimodal relationship, peaking at intermediate levels. Not surprisingly, Swan Geese foraged most intensively on tubers buried at intermediate sediment depths, where they maximize their daily energy intake. Our results support our hypothesis that Swan Geese feeding on tubers at intermediate depths maximize their daily energy intake. Conclusions: Our study is the first to quantify foraging strategies of Swan Geese during the wintering period, emphasizing the importance of plant traits on foraging selection of belowground foragers.

Comparative Study of Inulin Extracts from Dahlia, Yam, and Gembili Tubers as Prebiotic

The addition of prebiotic in food today is mostly done. It is based on the ability of prebiotic to support the growth of probiotic. Inulin is a carbohydrate that serves as an effective prebiotic that cannot be digested by digestive enzymes. The purpose of this research is to assess utilization of inulin from several types of tubers include dahlia tubers, yam tu- bers, and gembili tubers as a source of prebiotic that tested in probiotic bacteria (L. casei and L. plantarum). The study used a Randomized Block Design method with two factors, the type of probiotic isolate and inulin extract from tubers. The result shows that the best treatment is isolates of L. casei obtained in the fermentation medium with the addition of inulin from gembili tubers. The best treatment has the following characteristics: an increase in total LAB 2.71 × 1010 cfu/ml, 1.50% total acid, pH 2.05 and the total sugars are 3.11%. Whereas in isolates of L. plantarum, the best treatment in the fermentation medium is with the addition of inulin from dahlia tubers. The LAB reaches 2.80 × 1010 cfu/ml, 1.29% total acid, pH 2.24 and 2.05% total sugars.

Effects of Agrobacterial<i>rol</i>-Genes on the Thermodynamic and Structural Features of Starches Extracted from Potato Microtubers

Wild-type potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) plants and their transformants harboring agrobacterial rolB or rolC genes under control of the patatin class I promoter were cultured in vitro. These plants were used as a source of single-node stem cuttings. The structure of native starch in tubers formed on cuttings was determined using methods of X-ray scattering and differential scanning microcalorimetry (DSC). It was found that in starch from tubers of rolB plants the melting temperature of crystalline lamella was lower and their thickness was less than that in wild-type potato. In tubers of rolC plants starch differed from starch in wild-type plants by a higher melting temperature, reduced melting enthalpy, and a greater thickness of crystalline lamellae. The melting of starch from tubers of rolC plants proceeded as the melting of two independent crystalline structures with melting temperatures of 338.0°K and 342.8°K. Overall data show that starches of different structure can be obtained by using transgenic approach.

Screening of Extraction Methods for Protein from Potato Tubers

[Objectives]This study was conducted to screen different extraction methods for protein from potato tubers.[Methods]The bud eye,lateral and pith parts of Qingshu 168 and Kexin 1 were used as test materials,and were extracted by acetone extraction,trichloroacetic acid(TCA)extraction,salt extraction,alcohol extraction and phenol extraction,respectively.The protein contents of different parts were determined by spectrophotometry.A 2-factor randomized block design was used to study the effects of varieties,extraction methods,sampling parts and combinations of different factors on protein content.[Results]The protein contents of different varieties were different,and Qingshu 168 was significantly higher than Kexin 1(P<0.05),reaching 128.0 mg/L.The protein contents obtained by different extraction methods were different.Acetone extraction,salt extraction and TCA extraction showed no significant differences in the protein content,but they were significantly higher than phenol extraction and alcohol extraction(P<0.05).The protein contents obtained by the former three were in the range of153.3-159.7 mg/L.The protein content in the bud eye part of potato tubers was significantly higher than those in the lateral and pith parts(P<0.05),reaching140.7 mg/L.There were significant differences among different combinations of varieties,extraction methods and sampling parts(P<0.05).The comprehensive comparison showed that the salt extraction method was suitable for the bud eye part of Qingshu 168,and the TCA extraction method was suitable for the bud eye part of Kexin No.1.[Conclusions]This study provides a reference for potato protein extraction and further research.

Chemical Composition of Potato Tubers in Relation to Crop Production System and Environmental Conditions

In the years 2008-2010, a study on the quality of tubers grown in the two crop production systems, i.e., organic and integrated in two locations： Jadwisin--Central and Osiny--South-Eastern of Poland were conducted. The influence of such factors as the crop production system （organic and integrated）, the place of production （soil quality）, variety and years of research on the chemical composition, i.e., tuber dry matter, starch, vitamin C, nitrates and glycoalkaloids were tested. It has been found that the greatest impact on the chemical composition of tubers had the climatic conditions during the growing season and genotype. They affected the contents of all tested components. The place of production affected the contents of dry matter, starch, vitamin C and nitrates. This factor had no effect on the content of glycoalkaloids. The least effect on the chemical tubers composition was in crop production system. It only affected the contents of dry matter, starch and vitamin C. There was no significant effect of this factor on the nitrate and glycoalkaloids content.

Osmotic Regulation and Viability during Storage of Potato Microtubers Obtained in Vitro

Dehydration,viability,proline,sucrose and glucose concentrations were evaluated on green and white microtubers during storage at two different temperatures.After 10 months at 4℃,the green and white microtubers showed shrinkage with a dry weight loss of 3.91%and 3.15%.Both,the green and white microtubers at 4℃ presented an enhanced sprouting after storage.At 23℃,the green microtubers lost the lowest quantity in dry weight(0.8%)and white microtubers lost 2.2%.This behavior is possibly related to the increase in the thickness of the peridermis observed in green microtubers or to the osmotic regulation mediated principally by the observed concentrations of proline and glucose but not sucrose.The best storage conditions for potato microtubers obtained in vitro were at 4℃ for green or white microtubers for up to 10 months with little loss of viability.

2-20 Synthesis of Uniform Sizes of Uranium Dioxide Kernels by Test-tube Experimrent in the Laboratory

In the 1970s and 1980s, United States Department of Energy conducted numerous studies on the fabrication of nuclear fuel particles using the internal gelation process[1], the internal gelation process is an advanced production process for nuclear fuels. Recently, we had used these lessons learned on the internal gelation process to prepare quantities of uranium dioxide kernels of uniform sizes. This paper discusses the whole efforts of experimental processes.

Tuberous sclerosis complex combined with primary lymphedema:A case report

BACKGROUND Tuberous sclerosis complex(TSC)and primary lymphedema(PLE)are both rare diseases,and it is even rarer for both to occur in the same patient.In this work,we have provided a detailed description of a patient's clinical presentation,imaging findings,and treatment.And a retrospective analysis was conducted on 14 published relevant case reports.CASE SUMMARY A 16-year-old male came to our hospital for treatment due to right lower limb swelling.This swelling is already present from birth.The patient’s memory had been progressively declining.Seizures had occurred 1 year prior at an unknown frequency.The patient was diagnosed with TSC combined with PLE through multimodal imaging examination:Computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging,and lymphoscintigraphy.The patient underwent liposuction.The swelling of the patient's right lower limb significantly improved after surgery.Epilepsy did not occur.after taking antiepileptic drugs and sirolimus.CONCLUSION TSC with PLE is a rare and systemic disease.Imaging can detect lesions of this disease,which are important for diagnosis and treatment.

MicroRNA-451 from Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes Inhibits Alveolar Macrophage Autophagy via Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Pathway to Attenuate Burn-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Rats

Objective Our previous studies established that microRNA(miR)-451 from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes(hUC-MSC-Exos)alleviates acute lung injury(ALI).This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which miR-451 in hUC-MSC-Exos reduces ALI by modulating macrophage autophagy.Methods Exosomes were isolated from hUC-MSCs.Severe burn-induced ALI rat models were treated with hUC-MSC-Exos carrying the miR-451 inhibitor.Hematoxylin-eosin staining evaluated inflammatory injury.Enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay measured lipopolysaccharide(LPS),tumor necrosis factor-α,and interleukin-1βlevels.qRT-PCR detected miR-451 and tuberous sclerosis complex 1(TSC1)expressions.The regulatory role of miR-451 on TSC1 was determined using a dual-luciferase reporter system.Western blotting determined TSC1 and proteins related to the mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway and autophagy.Immunofluorescence analysis was conducted to examine exosomes phagocytosis in alveolar macrophages and autophagy level.Results hUC-MSC-Exos with miR-451 inhibitor reduced burn-induced ALI and promoted macrophage autophagy.MiR-451 could be transferred from hUC-MSCs to alveolar macrophages via exosomes and directly targeted TSC1.Inhibiting miR-451 in hUC-MSC-Exos elevated TSC1 expression and inactivated the mTOR pathway in alveolar macrophages.Silencing TSC1 activated mTOR signaling and inhibited autophagy,while TSC1 knockdown reversed the autophagy from the miR-451 inhibitor-induced.Conclusion miR-451 from hUC-MSC exosomes improves ALI by suppressing alveolar macrophage autophagy through modulation of the TSC1/mTOR pathway,providing a potential therapeutic strategy for ALI.

干燥方法对印度块菌(Tuber indicum)品质的影响

为了解不同干燥方法对印度块菌干后品质及微观结构的影响,本研究采用热风干燥、真空冷冻干燥方法对印度块菌进行处理,以感官品质(色泽、质构)、复水特性、营养成分(还原糖、总蛋白、维生素C、总黄酮)及微观结构为评价指标,评价干燥方法对印度块菌品质的影响,并利用低场核磁共振技术研究干燥处理期间水分的迁移率和分布。结果表明,与热风干燥比,真空冷冻干燥产品L~*高,a~*低,能够较好维持产品色泽,热风干燥产品褐变严重,且真空冷冻干燥产品硬度低,脆性高。真空冷冻干燥产品复水比及复水速率显著高于热风干燥产品(P<0.05),干燥10 min后,冷冻干燥复水比值为3.00,显著高于热风干燥(2.26)(P<0.05),冷冻干燥复水速率(0.30 min^-1)显著高于热风干燥(0.22 min^-1)(P<0.05)。与新鲜样品比,两种干燥产品中总蛋白含量无显著变化,维生素C、还原糖及总黄酮保留量显著降低(P<0.05);与热风干燥产品比,真空冷冻干燥产品维生素C、还原糖及总黄酮保留量显著高于热风干燥产品(P<0.05)。低场核磁共振分析表明,冷冻干燥组T23水分信号强度衰减速率高于热风干燥组,说明真空冷冻干燥效率更高。扫描电镜观察微观结构发现热风干燥产品细胞组织收缩、塌陷且结构很致密,真空冷冻干燥产品呈现多孔结构。综合分析,干燥对印度块菌干制品的营养及品质影响较大,真空冷冻干燥更适合印度块菌产品的干燥加工,本研究为提高印度块菌干制品加工品质提供理论依据。

块菌(Tuber)在六盘山的分布及其生态学意义

2019—2020年,调查六盘山地下真菌资源,采集到块菌属(Tuber)标本12份。通过宏微观形态特征及DNA序列特征的比较分析,新采集到的块菌标本分别被鉴定为假喜马拉雅块菌(T.pseudohimalayense)、历山块菌(T.lishanense)和脐凹块菌(T.umbilicatum),其中假喜马拉雅块菌具有极高的经济价值。基于采集的标本,补充描述该3种块菌的形态学特征,对其分类地位和地理分布进行讨论,拓宽块菌在中国的地理分布区域的认识,补充块菌在该地区的标本记录及相关生态学资料。该研究首次确认六盘山分布有丰富的块菌资源,发现块菌新的重要分布区域,对完善中国块菌资源多样性、生物地理学和生态学的研究具有重要意义。