Flower Characteristics and Pollination Behavior of <i>Euryale ferox</i>(Salisb.)

The Euryale ferox (Salisb.) or gorgon or makhana is one of the most important non cereal food crops of commerce from wetland ecosystem in India. Flower is cleistogamous (CLS) and predominantly self-pollinated. The variations in floral characters were observed in 10 types of germplasm viz., Manipur-2, Manipur-4, Manipur-7, Manipur-9, Selection-17, Selection-23, Selection-27, Selection-28, Superior Selection-1 and cv. Swarna Vaidehi. In our present study, the number of flowers varied from 8.33 (Manipur-9) to 16.33 (Superior Selection-1) per plant and flowering period was about 40 days. However, peak pollination was observed between 60 - 70 days after transplanting. The weather of August and September were ideal for pollination and fruit set. The temperature and humidity of this period were 29°C - 31°C and 79% - 81%, respectively. Besides cleistogamy (CL), chasmogamy (CH) is also observed after July flowering in Euryale, when crop gets matured, water level considerably goes down, and flowers are generally opened in air. There were rare chances for cross pollination by insect. In later stage, chasmogamous (CHS) flower increases up to 22.50% in October. Seed formation of the CHS flower was very less and seed number varies from July (11.25/fruit) to September (28.33/fruit). Artificial hybridization can be performed in CHS flower. The complete flower development was noticed within 72 - 96 hrs from floral initiation. Therefore, getting of CHS flower outside water is very less. There were strong correlations between number of embryos (r = 0.762), ovary area (longitudinal) (r = 0.681) with the yield of the Euryale plant.

Roasted fox nuts (Euryale Ferox L.) contain higher concentration of phenolics, flavonoids, minerals and antioxidants, and exhibit lower Glycemic Index (GI) in human subjects

Fox nut (Euryale ferox) is categorized among superior quality foods because of its highly nutritious profile. It also serves as a good protein source for vegetarian diets. However, it is not widely consumed, due to soggy texture and bland flavor as compared to other nuts. In this study, we used roasting and seasoning to enhance its consumer acceptance. Furthermore, we have also compared biochemical, nutritional and physical properties of the roasted and unroasted fox nuts;and their Glycemic Index (GI) in human subjects. Results showed that roasting significantly (P ≤ 0.05) improved the minerals content (from 0.58 to 0.66%), protein content (from 11.40 to 14.57%), total phenolics (from 346.02 to 470.62 mg GAE/100 g), flavonoids (from 4.15 to 4.43 mg CE/g), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (from 48.54 to 79.13% inhibition) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (from 662.46 to 957.14 μmol FeSO4/g). Consumer acceptance was evaluated with and without seasoning;both salt and spice seasoned roasted nuts had greater overall acceptability as compared to plain roasted and unroasted nuts. Fox nuts also reported low GI (37%) in human subjects (ethical approval #1772/01-06-2020). Thus, roasted fox nuts can be consumed as nutrient rich and low GI snack;not only as a component of healthy diet but can also be served to patients with metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes.

超声波辅助法提取芡实多糖的工艺研究

[目的]研究芡实多糖的超声波辅助法提取工艺。[方法]采用超声波辅助提取,以多糖得率为指标,通过L9(34)正交试验对芡实多糖的提取工艺进行优化。[结果]芡实多糖提取的最佳工艺条件为:温度55℃,提取时间40 min,料液比1∶15。在该条件下,测得的多糖得率为4.65%,RSD值为1.93%(n=3)。[结论]超声波辅助法提取芡实多糖,方法简单可行,提取率高。

肇实酸奶发酵工艺的优化

以肇庆芡实(肇实,Euryale ferox Salisb.)、奶粉为主要原料研制一种新型的凝固型酸奶。设置单因素试验和正交试验优化肇实酸奶的发酵条件。结果表明,制作肇实酸奶的最佳工艺条件为肇实浆液与奶粉液的体积比为2.0∶8.0、白砂糖用量80 mg/mL、发酵剂接种量50 mg/mL、42℃发酵4.0 h,制备的酸奶色泽乳白略带微黄,组织均匀、口感细腻,兼具肇实和酸奶的风味,各项理化指标符合国家标准。

芡实提取物对克氏原螯虾生长、抗氧化能力及免疫功能的影响

为探究芡实(Euryale ferox)提取物对克氏原螯虾(Procambarus clarkii)生长免疫的影响,本实验按照饲喂饲料芡实提取物的添加浓度分为对照组(0 g/kg)、0.5%芡实组(5 g/kg)、1%芡实组(10 g/kg)和2%芡实组(20 g/kg),连续投喂克氏原螯虾28 d,实验结束后测定克氏原螯虾的生长参数和嗜水气单胞菌攻毒后的存活率,并分析了抗氧化酶活、免疫相关酶活和相关基因表达情况。结果显示:芡实提取物对克氏原螯虾的生长和嗜水气单胞菌攻毒后的存活率没有影响。与对照组相比,0.5%芡实饲喂显著增加了克氏原螯虾血清中的酸性磷酸酶(ACP)和碱性磷酸酶(AKP)活性,而1%和2%芡实血清中的ACP活性显著降低,2%芡实组克氏原螯虾血清中的SOD活性显著增加。在肝胰腺中,0.5%芡实组克氏原螯虾的ACP活性也显著增加,但其它酶活没有显著变化。荧光定量PCR的结果显示,2%芡实显著增加了克氏原螯虾CypA和GPxs mRNA的表达,而Astacidin mRNA的表达在各组之间均无显著差异。综上结果表明,芡实提取物能在一定程度上增强克氏原螯虾的抗氧化能力和免疫力,而不影响其生长。

芡实SBE3基因克隆及其生物信息学分析

芡实的主要组成成分是淀粉,淀粉分支酶SBE3能够调控支链淀粉的合成,为了深入研究芡实SBE3基因的功能与调控机制,本研究克隆出芡实淀粉分支酶SBE3基因并对其进行相关生物信息学分析。通过提取芡实种子总RNA,采用RT-PCR方法克隆芡实SBE3基因,利用软件和在线网站对该基因及其编码氨基酸序列的理化性质、蛋白质结构、系统发育树和启动子等进行生物信息学分析与预测。获得EfSBE3基因全长2830bp,开放阅读框长2736bp,编码911个氨基酸;预测其为亲水性蛋白,无跨膜区,无信号肽。系统进化分析表明该序列与同科植物睡莲亲缘关系最近,启动子分析共预测出10类顺式作用元件。本研究结果可为芡实分子育种提供理论依据。