Gas Exchange, Xylem Ions and Abscisic Acid Response to Na^+-Salts and Cl^--Salts in Populus euphratica

We investigated the osmotic stress and ion-specific effects on xylem abscisic acid (ABA), ion uptake and transport and gas exchange in one-year-old seedlings of Populus euphratica Oliv. Net photosynthetic rates (P-n) and unit transpiration rates (TRN) were both significantly decreased upon an osmotic shock caused by PEG 6000 solution (osmotic potential = -0.24 MPa) or a saline, which was applied by 50 mmol/L Na+-salts (NaNO3 : NaHCO3 : NaH2PO4 = 5 : 4 : 1, pH 6.8, osmotic potential = -0.24 MPa) or by 50 mmol/L Cl--salts (KCl : NH4Cl = 1:1, osmotic potential = -0.24 MPa). However, salt-treated P. euphratica plants maintained typically higher TRN than those exposed to PEG. Xylem ABA concentrations increased rapidly following the PEG treatment, exhibiting peaking values at 1 h, then returning to pre-stress levels, followed by a gradual increase. Similarly, both Na+-treated and Cl--treated trees exhibited a rapid rise of ABA after salt stress was initiated. Notably, salt-treated plants maintained a relatively higher ABA than PEG-treated plants in a longer term. Collectively, results suggest that osmotic stress and ion-specific effects were both responsible for salt-induced ABA in P. euphratica : the initial rapid increase of xylem ABA appears to be a consequence of an osmotic shock, whereas specific salt effects seem to be responsible for ABA accumulation later on. Compared with Cl--treated trees, a higher inhibitory effect on gas exchange (P-n and TRN) was observed in Na+-salt plants, resulting from its long-sustained ABA and higher salt concentrations in the xylem. Displacement of membrane-associated Ca2+ by Na+ and the lesser capacity in Na+ compartmentation in root vacuoles likely contribute to the high influx of Na+ and Cl- in Na+-treated plants. Xylem K+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ concentrations were elevated by external Na+ -salts and Cl--salts, suggesting that P. euphratica maintained a higher capacity in nutrient uptake under saline conditions, which makes a contribution to its salinity tolerance.

Characterization of halophilic C_50 carotenoid-producing archaea isolated from solar saltworks in Bohai Bay,China

Halophilic archaea comprise the majority of microorganisms found in hypersaline environments. C50 carotenoids accumulated in archaea cells are considered potential biotechnological products and possess a number of biological functions. Ten red colordes were isolated from brine water in a saltem crystaltizer pond of the Hangu Saltworks, China. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the colonies belonged to the extremely halophilic archaea genera Halobacterium and Halorubrum. Two representative strains, Halobacterium strain SP-2 and Halorubrum strain SP-4, were selected for further study on the phenotypic characteristics and effects of salinity and pH on accumulation and composition of pigments in their cells. The archaeal strains were isolated and grown in a culture medium prepared by dissolving yeast extract （10 g/L） and acid-hydrolyzed casein （7.5 g/L） into brine water obtained from a I.ocal salt pond. Their optimum salinity and pH for growth were 250 and 7, respectively, although pigment accumulation （OD490/ mL broth） was highest at pH 8. In addition, at 150-300 salinity, increasing salinity resulted in decreasing pigment accumulation. Analysis of the UV-Vis spectrum, TLC and HLPC chromatograms showed that C50 carotenoid bacterioruberin is the major pigment in both strains.

中古时期药用盐的输入与传播

中古西域地区(尤指中亚、南亚)药用盐的东渐,是中古社会丝绸之路医药文化交流的一个代表。通过考察药用盐在汉唐之间,乃至宋元时期的中西交流活动,可以发现,至晚到南北朝时期,各种矿物盐,由于具有不同的药用价值,或被作为贡品,或经由贸易通道流入中原,进入医家、旅行家、统治者的视野中。从汉到宋代及其以后,药用盐的东渐活动,大体经历了一个变化过程,即从汉代西域开始进贡药用盐,到魏晋南北朝时期逐渐增多,再到隋唐时期社会需求达到峰值,宋元以后,由于传统商路的改变,"西盐东渐"日趋式微。中古药用盐对中原社会生活的影响,不仅使中古本草书中进口盐与本地盐存在贵贱之分,而且还大大加深了人们对盐的药用功效的认识。