[Objective] The aim was to provide theoretical basis for speeding up the popularization of Eucalyptus dunnii.[Method] Differences in phenolic compounds and related enzyme activities between hard rooting E.dunnii and e...[Objective] The aim was to provide theoretical basis for speeding up the popularization of Eucalyptus dunnii.[Method] Differences in phenolic compounds and related enzyme activities between hard rooting E.dunnii and easily rooting E.urophylla×E.grandis clone (U9) were studied.[Result] There were significant differences in contents of phenolic compounds and activities of indole acetic acid oxidase (IAAO),andperoxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) between the two Eucalyptus species.Compared with U9,contents of phenolic compounds and POD activity of E.dunnii cuttings were relatively high,while activities of IAAO and PPO were relatively low.[Conclusion] More phenolic compounds and the differences in related enzyme activities might be the major factors to result in hard rooting of E.dunnii cuttings.展开更多
[Objective] This study aimed to explore the effects of used battery lixivium on wheat germination. [Method] The wheat seeds were treated with used battery lix- ivium at different concentrations to detect the change of...[Objective] This study aimed to explore the effects of used battery lixivium on wheat germination. [Method] The wheat seeds were treated with used battery lix- ivium at different concentrations to detect the change of activities of amylase, pro- tease, pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) during the ger- mination period. [Result] The results showed that the used battery affected enzyme activity. With the increase of concentration of used battery lixivium, trends of the changes of amylase and protease activities were not different. The activities were en- hanced at low concentrations of lixivium, while were inhibited at high concentrations. The tends of changes of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities were not consistent with that of either amylase or protease, which showed continuous downward trends with the increasing concentration of used battery lixivium. [Conclusion] This study is of great practical significance for understanding the effects of used battery lixivium on the germination of wheat seeds.展开更多
We established a line (screened) of Portunus trituberculatus by selectively breeding individuals that survived from challenge with Vibrio alginolyticus, and compared the response of screened and unscreened (control) P...We established a line (screened) of Portunus trituberculatus by selectively breeding individuals that survived from challenge with Vibrio alginolyticus, and compared the response of screened and unscreened (control) P. trituberculatus challenged with V. alginolyticus. We measured superoxide dismutase, catalase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and peroxidase activity and the content of hemocyanin in the plasma and phenoloxidase activity in serum. The cumulative survival rate after 24-h challenge with V. alginolyticus was significantly higher in the screened crabs than in the unscreened crabs (P<0.05). T-SOD and PO activity were significantly lower in the screened stock than in the unscreened stock (P<0.05). POD, CAT, and ACP activity and hemocyanin content were significantly higher in the screened stock than in the unscreened stock. Our results suggest that the screened stock was more resistant to infection. Furthermore, the indices we measured may be used to evaluate the health state of P. trituberculatus.展开更多
[Objective] The aim was to construct the internal motivation of flued-cured tobacco natural aging. [Method] The variation of DNA copies of Bacillus megaterium, amylase activity, PPO, peroxydase and content of starch, ...[Objective] The aim was to construct the internal motivation of flued-cured tobacco natural aging. [Method] The variation of DNA copies of Bacillus megaterium, amylase activity, PPO, peroxydase and content of starch, neutro-protein, polyphenol in different aging period were investigated using Henan flue-cured tobacco leaves. [Result] Results showed that the DNA copies of Bacillus megaterium increased initially but decreased subsequently with the aging time. The DNA copies of Bacillus per gram of tobacco leaf surface reached the maximum number at 6 months aging. The activities of four enzymes showed the same variation trend as in DNA copies, and also reached the highest level at 6 months aging. Chemical ingredients, however, displayed a downward trend. The variation of enzyme activity and content of chemical composition were reflected in the changes of DNA copies in Bacillus megaterium. [Conclusion] The result indicate that Bacillus megaterium was the internal motivation of flue-cured tobacco natural aging.展开更多
Polyphenol oxidase, a bi-functional enzyme, has been implicated in enzymatic browning of yam and other tubers in a negative way. The objective of this present study was to examine the activity of polyphenol oxidase in...Polyphenol oxidase, a bi-functional enzyme, has been implicated in enzymatic browning of yam and other tubers in a negative way. The objective of this present study was to examine the activity of polyphenol oxidase in Dioscorea rotundata. Var. laasirin and the efficiency of heat and chemical treatments in inhibiting this enzyme. Crude Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO) of Dioscorea rotundata.Var. Laasirin was isolated and the kinetics studied using the lineweaver-burk plot. The activity of the enzyme was evaluated using spectrophotomeric method. Yam PPO catalyzes oxidation of various substrates with catechol being the most readily oxidized substrate. The Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) and maximum reaction velocity (Vmax) for yam PPO were 0.00037 and 0.3125 respectively. Inhibition data showed that the enzyme had least activity (71.70) when blanched at 95℃ for 7 mins with chemical treatment involving a combination of 0.5% Sodium metabisulphite (Food grade) and 0.5% Ascorbic acid (Food grade). The activity was highest (83.02) when it was blanched at 95 ℃ for 7 rains. This study has shown that it is possible to inhibit polyphenol oxidase activity in white yam using the chemical pretreatments and processing conditions described in this study for possible adoption in the production of packaged frozen yam chips by food industries.展开更多
To evaluate the influence of various Cr(Ⅵ) concentrations (0.05, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 g/kg) on the activity of soil enzymes, the activities of catalase, polyphenol oxidase, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase in...To evaluate the influence of various Cr(Ⅵ) concentrations (0.05, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 g/kg) on the activity of soil enzymes, the activities of catalase, polyphenol oxidase, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase in soils were investigated in the incubation experiment with a period of 35 d. The results indicate that all the tested Cr(Ⅵ) concentrations significantly inhibit dehydrogenase activity by over 70% after 35 d. The activity of alkaline phosphatase is slightly inhibited during the whole experiment except for on the day 7. Cr(Ⅵ) has no obvious effect on the activity of catalase in soil. On the contrary, Cr(Ⅵ) stimulates the activity of polyphenol oxidase. The results suggest that dehydrogenase activity can be used as an indicator for assessing the severity of chromium pollution.展开更多
This study aimed at the physical, chemical and biochemical changes during ripening of Sweetsop (Annona squamosa L.) and Golden Apple (Spondias citherea Sonner) fruits during ripening as important features to bette...This study aimed at the physical, chemical and biochemical changes during ripening of Sweetsop (Annona squamosa L.) and Golden Apple (Spondias citherea Sonner) fruits during ripening as important features to better understand their postharvest handling. It was carried out physical analysis such as firmness and chemical analysis such as total chlorophyll, total carotenoids, soluble solids, pectins and titrable acidity and biochemical analysis such as pectin methyl esterase, polygalacturonase, cellulase, and peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase activities in crude extract. Fruits were harvested at different stages of ripening. Experimental design was completely randomized and was carried out analysis of variance and Tukey tests, Total chlorophyll was decreasing in later stages of ripening, total soluble solid contents increased as the fruits ripen, while the acidity expressed percentage of citric acid decreased during fruits ripening. The loss of firmness and soluble solids content increased as the fruit get ripped stage, while the content of pectin decreased. Activity was observed for pectin methyl esterase and polygalacturonase enzymes during all stages of maturation, presenting the highest activity for both enzymes in the mature state. No cellulase activity detected at any stage during the ripening of these fruits. Activity of the enzyme polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase, associated with pulp browning was higher in the last stages of ripening of these fruits. Physical, chemical and biochemical patterns during ripening were different according to fruit species suggesting differential postharvest handling requirements.展开更多
To investigate into the mechanisms underlying the irreversible sterility induced by gossypol, we studied the relationship between its inhibitory action on acrosomal enzymes and its antifertility effect.As shown by our...To investigate into the mechanisms underlying the irreversible sterility induced by gossypol, we studied the relationship between its inhibitory action on acrosomal enzymes and its antifertility effect.As shown by our result, after exposure to gossypol (l.25-60 μg/ml) for 15 min. in vitro,the sperms' ability to penetrate bovine cervical mucus and the fertility rate were significantly reduced. Also, following administration of gossypol (12.5 mg/kg/day) for six weeks, the rate of fertilization in vitro by hamster sperm was significantly decreased. In the gossypol-treated group, extracts of testis sperm delayed dispersion of cumulus cells, suggesting inhibition of hyaluronidase and other acrosomal enzymes. Furthermore, the acrosin and arylsulfatase activities were shown to be markedly inhibited. Thus, a parallelism was displayed between the reduction of fertility and the decreasc in acrosin and arylsulfatase activities in epididymis sperms.Besides, the inhibition was reversible and was dosage-and durationdependent. In conclusion, the assay of acrosin activity might serve as a useful tool for monitoring the irreversible sterility induced by gossypol,展开更多
Bromophenols are a set of natural products widely distributed in seaweed, most of which exhibit interesting and useful biological activities. To develop a reliable and efficient synthetic route to these natural bromop...Bromophenols are a set of natural products widely distributed in seaweed, most of which exhibit interesting and useful biological activities. To develop a reliable and efficient synthetic route to these natural bromophenols, three of them, 3,4-dibromo-5-(2′-bromo-3′,4′- dihydroxy-6′-methoxymethyl- benzyl)-benzene-1,2-diol (compound 9), 3,4-dibromo-5-(2′-bromo-6′-ethoxy methyl-3′,4′-dihydroxybenzyl)- benzene-1,2-diol (compound 10), and 3-bromo-4-(3′-bromo-4′,5′-dihydroxy benzyl)-5-(ethoxymethyl)- benzene-1,2-diol (compound 14), isolated from red marine algae, have been synthesized in eight steps with an overall yield of 14.4%, 14.4%, and 18.2% respectively, via a practical approach employing bromination, Wolff-Kishner-Huang reduction and a Friedel-Crafts reaction as key steps. The protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitory activities of the synthetic compounds were evaluated by the colorimetric assay. The results show that these compounds are moderate PTP1B inhibitors. The synthesis of these bromophenol derivatives makes in vivo studies of their structure-activity relationships and inhibition activity against PTP1B possible.展开更多
In the storage of Radix Ophiopogonis, browning often happens to cause potential risk with regard to safety. Previously few reports investigate the browning of Radix Ophiopogonis. In this research, the causes and mecha...In the storage of Radix Ophiopogonis, browning often happens to cause potential risk with regard to safety. Previously few reports investigate the browning of Radix Ophiopogonis. In this research, the causes and mechanisms of the browning of Radix Ophiopogonis were preliminarily elucidated. Content determination by high-performance liquid chromatogra- phy (HPLC) and spectrophotometry, enzyme activity determination by colorimetry, and morphological observation by electron mi- croscopy were performed in the present study. Uniform design and three-dimensional response surfaces were applied to investigate the relationship between browning and storage factors. The cortex cell wall of browned Radix Ophiopogonis was ruptured. Compared with the normal Radix Ophiopogonis, cellulase and polyphenol oxidase enzymes were activated, the levels of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), total sugars, and reducing sugars were increased, while the levels of polysaccharides and methylophiopogonanone A were de- creased in browned Radix Ophiopogonis. The relationship between the storage factors and degree of browning (Y) could be described by following correlation equation: Y= - 0.625 4 + 0.020 84 × X3 + 0.001 514×X1×x X2 - 0.000 964 4 × X2 × X3. Accompanied with browning under storage conditions, the chemical composition of Radix Ophiopogonis was altered. Following the activation of cellulase, the rupture of the cortex cell wall and the outflow of cell substances flowed out, which caused the Radix Ophiopogonis tissue to become soft and sticky. The main causes of the browning were the production of 5-HMF, the activation of polyphenol oxidase, Maillard reactions and enzymatic browning. Browning could be effectively prevented when the air relative humidity (HR), temperature, and moisture content were under 25% RH, 12 ℃ and 18%, respectively.展开更多
Recent studies suggest that the energetic demands of long-distance migration might lower the pool of resources available for costly immune defenses. Moreover, migration could amplify the costs of parasitism if animals...Recent studies suggest that the energetic demands of long-distance migration might lower the pool of resources available for costly immune defenses. Moreover, migration could amplify the costs of parasitism if animals suffering from para- site-induced damage or depleted energy reserves are less able to migrate long distances. We investigated relationships between long-distance migration, infection, and immunity in wild fall-migrating monarch butterflies Danaus plexippus. Monarchs migrate annually from eastern North America to central Mexico, accumulating lipids essential for migration and winter survival as they travel southward. Monarchs are commonly infected by the debilitating protozoan parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE). We collected data on lipid reserves, parasite loads, and two immune measures (hemocyte concentration and phenoloxidase activity) from wild monarchs migrating through north GA (USA) to ask whether (1) parasite infection negatively affects lipid reserves, and (2) greater investment in lipid reserves is associated with lower immune measures. Results showed that monarchs sampled later in the fall migration had lower but not significantly different immune measures and significantly higher lipid reserves than those sampled earlier. Lipid measures correlated negatively but only nearly significantly with one measure of immune defense (phenoloxidase activity) in both healthy and infected monarchs, but did not depend on monarch infection status or parasite load. These results provide weak support for a trade-off between energy reserves and immune defense in migrants, and suggest that previously-demonstrated costs of OE infection for monarch migration are not caused by depleted lipid reserves .展开更多
基金Supported by " 948 " program of China (2006-4-66 )the Fundamental Research Funds for Guangxi Forestry Research Institute(Forestry Science 200902)~~
文摘[Objective] The aim was to provide theoretical basis for speeding up the popularization of Eucalyptus dunnii.[Method] Differences in phenolic compounds and related enzyme activities between hard rooting E.dunnii and easily rooting E.urophylla×E.grandis clone (U9) were studied.[Result] There were significant differences in contents of phenolic compounds and activities of indole acetic acid oxidase (IAAO),andperoxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) between the two Eucalyptus species.Compared with U9,contents of phenolic compounds and POD activity of E.dunnii cuttings were relatively high,while activities of IAAO and PPO were relatively low.[Conclusion] More phenolic compounds and the differences in related enzyme activities might be the major factors to result in hard rooting of E.dunnii cuttings.
文摘[Objective] This study aimed to explore the effects of used battery lixivium on wheat germination. [Method] The wheat seeds were treated with used battery lix- ivium at different concentrations to detect the change of activities of amylase, pro- tease, pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) during the ger- mination period. [Result] The results showed that the used battery affected enzyme activity. With the increase of concentration of used battery lixivium, trends of the changes of amylase and protease activities were not different. The activities were en- hanced at low concentrations of lixivium, while were inhibited at high concentrations. The tends of changes of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities were not consistent with that of either amylase or protease, which showed continuous downward trends with the increasing concentration of used battery lixivium. [Conclusion] This study is of great practical significance for understanding the effects of used battery lixivium on the germination of wheat seeds.
基金Supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 Program) (No. 2012AA10A409)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41106123)+10 种基金the Transformation Fund for Agricultural Science (No. 2010GB2C220537)the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education (No. 20103305120002)the Scientific Research Fund of Zhejiang Provincial Education Department (No.Z201121258)the Zhejiang Key Innovative Team of Marine Aquaculture(No. 2010R50025-08)the Ningbo Natural Science Foundation (No.2010A610004)the Ningbo Innovative Program of Agriculture (No.2011C92014)the Ningbo Special Program of Agriculture (No. 201015)the Ningbo Special Program of Marine Fishing (No. 2011-1-7)the Public Interest Program of Zhejiang Province (No. 2011C33025)the Program for Science and Technology Innovative Research Team of Ningbo (No.2011B81003)the K C Wong Magana Fund in Ningbo University
文摘We established a line (screened) of Portunus trituberculatus by selectively breeding individuals that survived from challenge with Vibrio alginolyticus, and compared the response of screened and unscreened (control) P. trituberculatus challenged with V. alginolyticus. We measured superoxide dismutase, catalase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and peroxidase activity and the content of hemocyanin in the plasma and phenoloxidase activity in serum. The cumulative survival rate after 24-h challenge with V. alginolyticus was significantly higher in the screened crabs than in the unscreened crabs (P<0.05). T-SOD and PO activity were significantly lower in the screened stock than in the unscreened stock (P<0.05). POD, CAT, and ACP activity and hemocyanin content were significantly higher in the screened stock than in the unscreened stock. Our results suggest that the screened stock was more resistant to infection. Furthermore, the indices we measured may be used to evaluate the health state of P. trituberculatus.
文摘[Objective] The aim was to construct the internal motivation of flued-cured tobacco natural aging. [Method] The variation of DNA copies of Bacillus megaterium, amylase activity, PPO, peroxydase and content of starch, neutro-protein, polyphenol in different aging period were investigated using Henan flue-cured tobacco leaves. [Result] Results showed that the DNA copies of Bacillus megaterium increased initially but decreased subsequently with the aging time. The DNA copies of Bacillus per gram of tobacco leaf surface reached the maximum number at 6 months aging. The activities of four enzymes showed the same variation trend as in DNA copies, and also reached the highest level at 6 months aging. Chemical ingredients, however, displayed a downward trend. The variation of enzyme activity and content of chemical composition were reflected in the changes of DNA copies in Bacillus megaterium. [Conclusion] The result indicate that Bacillus megaterium was the internal motivation of flue-cured tobacco natural aging.
文摘Polyphenol oxidase, a bi-functional enzyme, has been implicated in enzymatic browning of yam and other tubers in a negative way. The objective of this present study was to examine the activity of polyphenol oxidase in Dioscorea rotundata. Var. laasirin and the efficiency of heat and chemical treatments in inhibiting this enzyme. Crude Polyphenol Oxidase (PPO) of Dioscorea rotundata.Var. Laasirin was isolated and the kinetics studied using the lineweaver-burk plot. The activity of the enzyme was evaluated using spectrophotomeric method. Yam PPO catalyzes oxidation of various substrates with catechol being the most readily oxidized substrate. The Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) and maximum reaction velocity (Vmax) for yam PPO were 0.00037 and 0.3125 respectively. Inhibition data showed that the enzyme had least activity (71.70) when blanched at 95℃ for 7 mins with chemical treatment involving a combination of 0.5% Sodium metabisulphite (Food grade) and 0.5% Ascorbic acid (Food grade). The activity was highest (83.02) when it was blanched at 95 ℃ for 7 rains. This study has shown that it is possible to inhibit polyphenol oxidase activity in white yam using the chemical pretreatments and processing conditions described in this study for possible adoption in the production of packaged frozen yam chips by food industries.
基金Projects(2006AA06Z374, 2007AA021304) supported by the National High-Tech Research and Development Program of ChinaProject(2008SK2007) supported by the Key Program of Science and Technology of Hunan Province, China
文摘To evaluate the influence of various Cr(Ⅵ) concentrations (0.05, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 g/kg) on the activity of soil enzymes, the activities of catalase, polyphenol oxidase, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase in soils were investigated in the incubation experiment with a period of 35 d. The results indicate that all the tested Cr(Ⅵ) concentrations significantly inhibit dehydrogenase activity by over 70% after 35 d. The activity of alkaline phosphatase is slightly inhibited during the whole experiment except for on the day 7. Cr(Ⅵ) has no obvious effect on the activity of catalase in soil. On the contrary, Cr(Ⅵ) stimulates the activity of polyphenol oxidase. The results suggest that dehydrogenase activity can be used as an indicator for assessing the severity of chromium pollution.
文摘This study aimed at the physical, chemical and biochemical changes during ripening of Sweetsop (Annona squamosa L.) and Golden Apple (Spondias citherea Sonner) fruits during ripening as important features to better understand their postharvest handling. It was carried out physical analysis such as firmness and chemical analysis such as total chlorophyll, total carotenoids, soluble solids, pectins and titrable acidity and biochemical analysis such as pectin methyl esterase, polygalacturonase, cellulase, and peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase activities in crude extract. Fruits were harvested at different stages of ripening. Experimental design was completely randomized and was carried out analysis of variance and Tukey tests, Total chlorophyll was decreasing in later stages of ripening, total soluble solid contents increased as the fruits ripen, while the acidity expressed percentage of citric acid decreased during fruits ripening. The loss of firmness and soluble solids content increased as the fruit get ripped stage, while the content of pectin decreased. Activity was observed for pectin methyl esterase and polygalacturonase enzymes during all stages of maturation, presenting the highest activity for both enzymes in the mature state. No cellulase activity detected at any stage during the ripening of these fruits. Activity of the enzyme polyphenoloxidase and peroxidase, associated with pulp browning was higher in the last stages of ripening of these fruits. Physical, chemical and biochemical patterns during ripening were different according to fruit species suggesting differential postharvest handling requirements.
文摘To investigate into the mechanisms underlying the irreversible sterility induced by gossypol, we studied the relationship between its inhibitory action on acrosomal enzymes and its antifertility effect.As shown by our result, after exposure to gossypol (l.25-60 μg/ml) for 15 min. in vitro,the sperms' ability to penetrate bovine cervical mucus and the fertility rate were significantly reduced. Also, following administration of gossypol (12.5 mg/kg/day) for six weeks, the rate of fertilization in vitro by hamster sperm was significantly decreased. In the gossypol-treated group, extracts of testis sperm delayed dispersion of cumulus cells, suggesting inhibition of hyaluronidase and other acrosomal enzymes. Furthermore, the acrosin and arylsulfatase activities were shown to be markedly inhibited. Thus, a parallelism was displayed between the reduction of fertility and the decreasc in acrosin and arylsulfatase activities in epididymis sperms.Besides, the inhibition was reversible and was dosage-and durationdependent. In conclusion, the assay of acrosin activity might serve as a useful tool for monitoring the irreversible sterility induced by gossypol,
基金Supported by the National Major Research Program of China (No.2009ZX09103-148)the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (863 program) (Nos.2007AA09Z410,2007AA091604)
文摘Bromophenols are a set of natural products widely distributed in seaweed, most of which exhibit interesting and useful biological activities. To develop a reliable and efficient synthetic route to these natural bromophenols, three of them, 3,4-dibromo-5-(2′-bromo-3′,4′- dihydroxy-6′-methoxymethyl- benzyl)-benzene-1,2-diol (compound 9), 3,4-dibromo-5-(2′-bromo-6′-ethoxy methyl-3′,4′-dihydroxybenzyl)- benzene-1,2-diol (compound 10), and 3-bromo-4-(3′-bromo-4′,5′-dihydroxy benzyl)-5-(ethoxymethyl)- benzene-1,2-diol (compound 14), isolated from red marine algae, have been synthesized in eight steps with an overall yield of 14.4%, 14.4%, and 18.2% respectively, via a practical approach employing bromination, Wolff-Kishner-Huang reduction and a Friedel-Crafts reaction as key steps. The protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitory activities of the synthetic compounds were evaluated by the colorimetric assay. The results show that these compounds are moderate PTP1B inhibitors. The synthesis of these bromophenol derivatives makes in vivo studies of their structure-activity relationships and inhibition activity against PTP1B possible.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.30672603&30901956)the "111 Project" from the Ministry of Education of China and the State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs of China(No.11-2-07)+1 种基金Key Projects in the National Science&Technology Pillar Program during the Eleventh Five-Year Plan Period(2006BAI-09B05-6)Program for Changjiang Scholars and Innovative Research Team in University(IRT0973)
文摘In the storage of Radix Ophiopogonis, browning often happens to cause potential risk with regard to safety. Previously few reports investigate the browning of Radix Ophiopogonis. In this research, the causes and mechanisms of the browning of Radix Ophiopogonis were preliminarily elucidated. Content determination by high-performance liquid chromatogra- phy (HPLC) and spectrophotometry, enzyme activity determination by colorimetry, and morphological observation by electron mi- croscopy were performed in the present study. Uniform design and three-dimensional response surfaces were applied to investigate the relationship between browning and storage factors. The cortex cell wall of browned Radix Ophiopogonis was ruptured. Compared with the normal Radix Ophiopogonis, cellulase and polyphenol oxidase enzymes were activated, the levels of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF), total sugars, and reducing sugars were increased, while the levels of polysaccharides and methylophiopogonanone A were de- creased in browned Radix Ophiopogonis. The relationship between the storage factors and degree of browning (Y) could be described by following correlation equation: Y= - 0.625 4 + 0.020 84 × X3 + 0.001 514×X1×x X2 - 0.000 964 4 × X2 × X3. Accompanied with browning under storage conditions, the chemical composition of Radix Ophiopogonis was altered. Following the activation of cellulase, the rupture of the cortex cell wall and the outflow of cell substances flowed out, which caused the Radix Ophiopogonis tissue to become soft and sticky. The main causes of the browning were the production of 5-HMF, the activation of polyphenol oxidase, Maillard reactions and enzymatic browning. Browning could be effectively prevented when the air relative humidity (HR), temperature, and moisture content were under 25% RH, 12 ℃ and 18%, respectively.
基金We thank M. Maudsley and M. Weath- ers for conducting PO assays and assisting with monarch cap- ture, hemocyte counts, and parasite load quantification A. Davis for analysis of morphometric wing data L. Brower, T. Maddox and the UGA Analytical Chemistry Lab for guidance and resources for lipid extractions, and the Altizer lab and two anonymous reviewers for comments on previous drafts of the manuscript. Funding for this project was provided by the Na- tional Science Foundation (grant DEB-0643831 to S.A. and a Graduate Research Fellowship to D.S.) and the UGA Inte- grated Life Science Program to D.S.
文摘Recent studies suggest that the energetic demands of long-distance migration might lower the pool of resources available for costly immune defenses. Moreover, migration could amplify the costs of parasitism if animals suffering from para- site-induced damage or depleted energy reserves are less able to migrate long distances. We investigated relationships between long-distance migration, infection, and immunity in wild fall-migrating monarch butterflies Danaus plexippus. Monarchs migrate annually from eastern North America to central Mexico, accumulating lipids essential for migration and winter survival as they travel southward. Monarchs are commonly infected by the debilitating protozoan parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE). We collected data on lipid reserves, parasite loads, and two immune measures (hemocyte concentration and phenoloxidase activity) from wild monarchs migrating through north GA (USA) to ask whether (1) parasite infection negatively affects lipid reserves, and (2) greater investment in lipid reserves is associated with lower immune measures. Results showed that monarchs sampled later in the fall migration had lower but not significantly different immune measures and significantly higher lipid reserves than those sampled earlier. Lipid measures correlated negatively but only nearly significantly with one measure of immune defense (phenoloxidase activity) in both healthy and infected monarchs, but did not depend on monarch infection status or parasite load. These results provide weak support for a trade-off between energy reserves and immune defense in migrants, and suggest that previously-demonstrated costs of OE infection for monarch migration are not caused by depleted lipid reserves .