Influence of Solvent onto Chemical Extraction of America-Type Coconut (Coco nucifera L.) Fbers: Analysis of Physicochemical, Mechanical and Morphological Properties

In this study, the natural fibers from Coconuts of the species Coco nucifera L. were Chemically extracted in different solvents such as sodium hydroxide (SH), acetone (AC) and sodium hydroxide-acetone (SHA) for their applications in the textile industries. Structural, morphological and physico-mechanical characterizations such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), scanned electron microscopy (SEM), measurements of density, Young’s modulus, water absorption rate and humidity were evaluated. The XRD and FTIR results show that Coco nucifera L. fibers contains type I cellulose. Mechanical characterizations were also carried out. These results show that by varying the different solvents used, the physico-chemical, mechanical and morphological properties of the fibers change, which implies that the solvent has an influence on the properties of these fibers. The fibers extracted by the sodium hydroxide-acetone mixture have a linear density of 1.636, the percentage of water absorption is 62.428%, the percentage of moisture absorption 9.605% compared to other values in the literature shows that this solvent mixture improves the properties of coconut fibers which contain type I cellulose. The tensile stress is 0.013 GPa, the percentage strain is 49.836% and the Young’s modulus is 0.114 GPa as well as the percentage elongation show that these fibers are elasto-plastic. The values obtained mean that these fibers are suitable for use in textiles.

中国莲(Nelumbo nucifera)幼苗抗氧化系统对砷胁迫的响应

为了研究中国莲(Nelumbo nucifera)抗氧化系统对砷胁迫的响应,研究比较了两种不同价态无机砷As(Ⅲ)和砷As(Ⅴ)对中国莲幼苗可溶性蛋白含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量以及抗氧化系统的影响。结果表明,中国莲幼苗中MDA和可溶性蛋白质含量随砷浓度的增加呈现先升高后降低的趋势。中国莲幼苗的MDA和蛋白质含量受As(Ⅴ)的影响不如As(Ⅲ)敏感。抗氧化系统酶中,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)对砷处理最敏感,当As(Ⅲ)浓度在2.5μmol/L和As(Ⅴ)浓度在100μmol/L时,SOD酶活性显著高于对照组。过氧化物酶(POD)在As(Ⅲ)处理浓度为10μmol/L时就出现显著上升,相对而言,过氧化氢酶(CAT)对As(Ⅴ)比较敏感。实验结果表明,随着浓度的增加,砷对幼苗产生的氧化胁迫导致SOD、CAT和POD三种酶活性有所增加,以配合清除细胞内的活性氧自由基(ROS),维持细胞代谢的稳定。本研究为进一步研究砷胁迫下莲的生理和生长变化、以及莲的培育和移植提供了部分基础数据。

梁山古莲(Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.)的种质资源价值研究

对2013年梁山出土的古莲(命名为梁山古莲)进行了种质资源价值研究。断代分析结果显示,梁山古莲籽距今时间最长约为731 a,入土年代处于我国元朝初期,古莲籽发芽率在90%以上,不同方位取得的莲籽大小存在明显差异;表型分析表明,梁山古莲属于中国莲系大株型少瓣红莲类群,为黄河流域野生莲,古莲群体存在较高的遗传多样性;聚类分析显示,梁山古莲与山东地方品种马踏湖白莲亲缘关系最近。

A new benzylisoquinoline alkaloid from stems of Nelumbo nucifera

A new benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, named nelumstemine （1）, 1-（4＇-hydroxybenzoyl）-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline, was isolated from the stems of Nelumbo nucifera Geartn. Its structure was established on the basis of spectral analysis.

Gibberellins,brassinolide,and ethylene signaling were involved in flower differentiation and development in Nelumbo nucifera

Hormones play important roles in vegetative and reproductive processes;however,the regulatory roles of hormones in Nelumbo nucifera(Lotus)growth and development are unclear.In this study,nine types of endogenous hormones,including gibberellins(GA_1,GA_3,and GA_4),indole-3-acetic acid(IAA),brassinolide(BR),ethylene(ETH),jasmonic acid(JA),abscisic acid(ABA),and zeatin(ZT)were detected in dormant shoot tips,vegetative shoot tips,developing leaf buds,and developing flower buds of lotus.The results indicated that GA,ETH,and BR signaling can promote vegetative and reproductive development of lotus.GA signaling regulates plant height and stimulates flower bud differentiation.GA levels were the highest in the flower buds;exogenous GA3+4 increased plant height by approximately 90%,increased flower quantity by nearly 40%,and advanced flowering by 4 d.Suppressing GA biosynthesis using paclobutrazol decreased plant height and flower quantity by 38%and 87.1%,respectively,and delayed flowering by 15.6 d.ETH signaling has positive regulatory effects on vegetative growth and flower development.The ETH concentration in the developing leaf buds was at least 50%higher than that in other samples.Ethephon spraying led to remarkable increases in plant height and leaf thickness and extended the flowering duration.BR signaling acts as a growth promoter during vegetative and reproductive development in lotus.The highest BR levels were detected in the vegetative shoot tips.External application of28-epihomobrassinolide resulted in growth-promoting phenotypes including longer scapes,thicker leaves,and prolonged flowering.

Analysis of Accumulating Ability of Heavy Metals in Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) Improved by Ion Implantation

Heavy metals have seriously contaminated soil and water, and done harm to public health. Academician WANG Naiyan proposed that ion-implantation technique should be exploited for environmental bioremediation by mutating and breeding plants or microbes. By implanting N^＋ into Taikonglian No.l, we have selected and bred two lotus cultivars, Jingguang No.1 and Jingguang No.2. The present study aims at analyzing the feasibility that irradiation can be used for remediation of soil and water from heavy metals. Compared with parent Taikonglian No.l, the uptaking and accumulating ability of heavy metals in two mutated cultivars was obviously improved. So ion implantation technique can indeed be used in bioremediation of heavy metals in soil and water, but it is hard to select and breed a cultivar which can remedy the soil and water from all the heavy metals.

Genetic diversity of the wild Asian lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) from Northern China

Asian lotus(Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.)is an aquatic plant with ornamental,cultural,economic,and ecological values.China has abundant germplasm resources of Asian lotus.However,in many areas,the wild Asian lotuses have been destroyed and the germplasms is now facing extinction.In addition,the knowledge of the genetic diversity of the wild Asian lotus in China is poor.To identify and protect the germplasms of Chinese wild Asian lotus,eleven genomic-SSR primers,three EST-SSR primers,and three chloroplast DNA primers were used to investigate the genetic diversity among 69 samples of wild Asian lotus from 25 locations in northern China.The genetic diversity of 27 samples of wild Asian lotus from southern China and other countries,the ancient Asian lotus,Asian lotus cultivars from China,and Asian-American hybrids was also compared.The genetic diversity of the wild Asian lotus from northern China was characterized as medium,and themean values of observed heterozygosity(Ho)and expected heterozygosity(He)were 0.087 and 0.552,respectively.Based on a UPGMA dendrogram and STRUCTURE analysis,the wild Asian lotus samples in northern China were divided into three groups.The wild Asian lotus samples from northern China contained 16 haplotypes.The Nei’s genetic distance between the wild Asian lotus samples from the Songhua River basin and the Liao River basin in northeastern China was relatively small,and these germplasms might be relatively primitive compared to those from other regions.This study provides essential information regarding the genetic diversity of the wild Asian lotus resources in northern China,and provides a basis for further analysis of population-level genetic evolution through high-throughput sequencing.

采用AFLP技术分析17个荷花(Nelumbo nucifera)品种的系统关系

【目的】采用AFLP技术,对17个荷花品种进行亲缘关系分析。【方法】从64个AFLP引物组合中筛选出10对多态性较高的引物,以17个荷花DNA为模板,进行PCR扩增,并对产物进行聚丙烯凝胶电泳分析。【结果】共获得条带523条,其中多态性条带370条,多态性比例达到70.75%;根据扩增条带信息进行聚类,可将17个品种分为2组;其中有5对引物,每对引物单独使用均可将17个品种完全区分开。【结论】AFLP用于鉴别荷花品种,具有较高的可行性;本研究为荷花分类和杂交育种的亲本选择提供参考信息。

Genetic Diversity of Lotus(Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) Cultivars Revealed by ISSR Analysis

[ Objectives ] This study was conducted to investigate the genetic diversity of 20 lotus （Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn） samples. [ Methods ] On this optimal ISSR amplification system, 16 primers were screened with good polymorphism, and the DNA was used to amplify the 20 plant samples. [ R^ults] The 16 primers produced 225 loci, of which 170 were polymorphic, and the polymorphic loci percentage was up to 75.56%. The genetic similarity coefficients between the 20 vari- eties ranged from 0. 577 8 to 0.951 1, which were calculated by POPGENE32. The 20 varieties by UPMGA analysis could be clustered into 2 groups, the first of which included Baiyangdian red lotus and Donggua lotus, and other varieties was included in the second group. [ Conchmions] ISSR molecular markers could be effectively used in genetic diversity and fingerprint analysis for different lotus varieties.

Evaluation of the Anti-Hyperlipidemic Activity of <i>Nelumbo nucifera </i>Fruit in Rabbits Fed with High Cholesterol Diet

Recently use of herbal therapies and diet rich in flavonoids and vitamins has augmented significantly to manage minor to modest illnesses. Several anti-hyperlipidemic agents are currently available;however most of them have various unwanted effects. That’s why more people are switching towards safer alternatives, specially derived from plants with fewer side effects. Hence current study was focused to determine the anti-hyperlipidemic potential of Nelumbo nucifera fruit in rabbits fed with high cholesterol diet. This study would surely help in the exploration of a novel agent from the plant source and therefore may recommend the application of traditional medicines in humans. 28 white healthy rabbits of either sex weighing 1000 - 1500 gm were divided into four groups. Control group was given gum tragacanth and 3 groups served as test groups and were given N. nucifera fruit extract 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg for 45 days. Initially animals of all four groups received high cholesterol diet (HCD) 0.125 gm/kg cholesterol in 0.5% corn oil for 30 days. All drugs were given orally. Blood samples were taken thrice from the ear vein of animals, 1st after 24 hours of thirty days of HCD then again after 24 hours of thirty and forty five days dosing of N. nucifera fruit extract. The results showed remarkable cholesterol lowering effects of N. nucifera fruit extract at doses 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg but were particularly dominant at 200 mg/kg at which fruit extract highly significantly reduced TC, TG and LDL-C after 30 and 45 days and increased HDL-C significantly after 30 days and highly significantly after 45 days. Flavonoids, saponins, tannins and procyanidin are significant constituents of N. nucifera fruit which may have contributed in lipid lowering effects of N. nucifera fruit which can contribute in lowering the risk of CVDs and stroke but more preclinical and clinical studies are required to confirm these findings.

Genetic Variation of the Novel Badnaviruses Infecting Nelumbo Nucifera Based on the RT/RNase H Coding Region Sequences

Lotus(Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.)is an economically important perennial aquatic herb plant in China.Presently,viral diseases caused by Cucumber mosaic virus(CMV)and Dasheen mosaic virus(DsMV)are detected in lotus.In this study,the putatively novel badnaviruses from lotus plants(LBVs)were identified using next-generation sequencing of siRNAs and conventional Sanger sequencing based on the RT/RNase H coding region sequences.Lotus plants infected by LBVs harbored virus quasispecies.A unique recombination event of LBVs was found in a single lotus plant.Sap inoculation showed that LBVs could actively replicate in the lotus plants,but without a wide host range.The field survey of 43 lotus plants in Jiangsu Province showed a prevalence of 62.8%for LBVs,confirming that it is widely distributed in Jiangsu Province of China.

Cocos nucifera L.water as green corrosion inhibitor for acid corrosion of aluminium in HCl solution

The ability of Cocos nucifera L.water（CW） as non-toxic corrosion inhibitor for acid corrosion of aluminium in 0.5 mol/L HCl has been studied using chemical technique.CW shows significant inhibition as corrosion inhibitor,with 93%efficiency at the highest concentration of the inhibitor.The inhibitive action is attributed to the adsorption of the inhibitor molecules on metal surface following Langmuir adsorption isotherm.

Construction and Characterization of a cDNA Library from the Pulp of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)

To investigate the gene expression profile of endosperm development, a cDNA library was constructed and characterized from the pulp of coconut at different developmental stages. The constructed cDNA library incorporated approximately 1 × 10^7 clones in total, and the size of the insertion fragments ranged from 800 to 2 000 bp. Sequencing results of 100 randomly picked clones showed that the recombination rate was 96%. In subsequent sequence analysis, 41 clones （41%） were homologous to known function proteins, and 23 clones showed high amino acid identity （more than 80%） with the corresponding genes of different plants. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR indicated that oleosin and globulin genes are pulpspecific expression, and have differential expression level in different developmental stage. Clone 29, recognized as homologous to KIAA1239 protein （Homo sapiens）, was observed to occur nine times, indicating that this gene may be over-expressed during the endosperm development stage. However, the homologous protein was found only in mammals, and the detailed function is still unknown. Elucidation of the functional characterization of these genes will be carried out immediately.

Optimization of slow-release fertilizer application improves lotus rhizome quality by affecting the physicochemical properties of starch

To achieve the dual goals of high yield and good quality with low environmental costs,slow-release fertilizer(SRF)has been widely used in lotus cultivation as new type of fertilizer instead of traditional nitrogen fertilizer.However,the optimal amount of SRF and how it would promote lotus rhizome quality remain unclear.This study was designed to investigate the photosynthetic characteristics and the synthesis,accumulation,and physicochemical properties of lotus rhizome starches under six SRF levels(CK,S1,S2,S3,S4,and S5).Compared with CK(0 kg ha^(–1)),the net photosynthetic rate(P_(n))and SPAD values of leaves remained at higher levels under SRF treatment.Further research showed that SRF increased the lotus rhizome yield,the contents of amylose,amylopectin,and total starch,and the number of starch granules.Among the six SRF levels,S3(1035 kg ha^(–1))showed the greatest difference from CK and produced the highest levels.With the increasing SRF levels,the peak,hot and final viscosities decreased at first and then increased,but the setback viscosity and pasting temperature increased.In order to interpret these changes at the molecular level,the activities of key enzymes and relative expression levels of starch accumulation related genes were analyzed.Each of these parameters also increased under SRF treatment,especially under the S3 treatment.The results of this study show that SRF,especially S3(1035 kg ha^(–1)),is a suitable fertilizer option for lotus planting which can improve lotus rhizome quality by affecting starch accumulations related enzymes and genes.These results will be useful for SRF application to high-quality lotus rhizome production with low environmental costs.

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Endophytic Fungus Isolated from <i>Cocos nucifera</i>(L.) Cotyledon against Medically-Important Pathogens

The study aimed to evaluate the endophytic fungi isolated from Cocos nucifera (L.) cotyledon for their possible antimicrobial activity. A total of twelve endophytic fungal species were successfully isolated, from which five were selected and presumptively identified, including Aspergillus niger, Raffaelea sp., Aspergillus flavus, Cladosporium sp. and Pseudallescheria spp. based on their macro and microscopic characters. The agar blocks of actively growing pure culture were assessed for antibacterial activity against five human pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains: Escherichia coli (BIOTECH 1634), Bacillus subtilis (BIOTECH 1697), Staphylococcus aureus (BIOTECH 1592), Serratia marcescens (BIOTECH 1748), and Candida tropicalis (BIOTECH 2085). Among the selected five endophytic used for antimicrobial activity screening, the Raffaelea sp. (CN-EF 2) has shown a high zone of inhibition of 11 mm against Bacillus subtilis, 18 mm against Escherichia coli, 15 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, and 11 mm against Candida tropicalis. Correspondingly, Aspergillus niger (CN-EF 1) has shown a zone of inhibition of 16 mm against C. tropicalis. The endophytic fungus Raffaelea sp. was effective against all test organisms except for Serratia marcescens, while Aspergillus niger was only effective for pathogenic fungi C. albicans. Hence, further in-depth studies of the isolated endophytic fungi are needed to determine the mechanisms behind the endophytes’ inhibitory effects.

鲜食加工兼用型椰子种质鉴定和综合评价

为了筛选鲜食加工兼用椰子种质,为椰子种质资源鉴定和兼用型新品种选育提供参考,对44份椰子种质8月龄及12月龄果的33个果实性状指标进行测定和变异分析、聚类分析,对其中18个性状进行相关性分析,对9个主要性状开展主成分分析,并对种质进行综合评价。变异分析结果表明,8月龄果性状的变异系数为9.97%~37.16%,12月龄果性状的变异系数为8.90%~41.28%;聚类分析表明,根据8月龄及12月龄果性状均可将44份种质分成三大类,分别为椰水糖度高、中、低3类及椰肉占比高、中、低3类;相关性分析结果表明,18个性状之间存在不同程度的相关性,其中12月龄果椰肉占比与椰果质量、椰果长、椰果宽存在显著负相关,但是8月龄、12月龄果的椰水糖度与其他性状间均无显著相关性;主成分分析表明,9个性状可以简化为3个主成分,累积贡献率达到83.896%;通过综合评价筛选出10份鲜食加工综合性状优良的椰子种质。分析结果说明44份椰子种质在果实性状方面具有丰富的多样性,聚类分析为选择不同特点的种质提供了选择范围,果实性状之间存在大量的显著相关性,筛选出V405、Y224、Y261等10份综合表现较好的种质,为兼用型种质创制和新品种培育提供了基础材料。

RP-HPLC法测定Beagle犬血浆中荷叶碱的浓度及药动学研究

目的:建立 Beagle 犬血浆中荷叶碱的 RP-HPLC 含量测定方法,研究 Beagle 犬灌胃给予荷叶生物碱提取物后荷叶碱血浆药代动力学特征。方法:采用高效液相色谱法,Hypersil-C_(18)色谱柱(4.6 mm×250 mm,5μm);0.1%三乙胺水溶液-乙腈(53:47)为流动相;检测波长270 nm,柱温:35℃,流速:1.0 mL·min^(-1)。Beagle 犬灌胃给予荷叶生物碱提取物后定时取血,测定血浆荷叶碱药物浓度,采用 DAS 软件计算药动学参数。结果:荷叶碱浓度在0.0515～2.06μg·mL^(-1)浓度范围内线性关系良好(r=0.9933);Beagle 犬灌胃给子荷叶生物碱提取物0.10,0.15,0.20 g·kg^(-1)后符合二室开放式模型,t_(1/2α)分别为0.22,0.23,0.26 h;t_(1/2β)分别为0.56,0.85,0.77 h;荷叶碱在体内符合一级药动学过程。结论:该法专属性强、灵敏、准确,能够满足药代动力学研究需要。

离子对反相HPLC法测定10个产地莲子心中莲心碱的含量

目的 建立用离子对反相 HPL C法测定莲子心药材中莲心碱含量的方法。方法 选用 ODS色谱柱 ,流动相为甲醇 -水 -冰醋酸 -辛烷磺酸钠 -乙酸钠 (5 5∶ 45∶ 0 .6∶ 10 m mol/ L∶ 5 m mol/ L ) ,检测波长 2 82 nm ,流速为1.0 m L/ min,柱温为 40℃。结果 莲心碱在 0 .0 0 5～ 0 .146 m g/ m L范围内 ,线性关系良好 (r=0 .9999) ;平均回收率为 10 0 .6 % ,RSD为 1.2 1% (n=6 )。结论 该法准确 ,快速 ,灵敏 ,重现性好 。

LC/MS/MS鉴定莲子心生物碱在Caco-2细胞中的代谢产物

目的：应用LC/MS/MS鉴定去甲乌药碱、莲心碱、异莲心碱、荷花碱4种莲子心生物碱在Caco-2细胞中的代谢产物,推测其代谢途径。方法：100μmol/L生物碱作用Caco-2细胞3～12 h后收集并纯化样品,采用LC/MS/MS分析鉴定代谢产物。结果：去甲乌药碱的代谢产物有甲基化去甲乌药碱和去甲乌药碱葡萄糖醛酸苷;莲心碱和异莲心碱的代谢产物分别是去甲基莲心碱和去甲基异莲心碱;荷花碱的主要代谢物为莲心碱、异莲心碱和它们的进一步去甲基产物。结论：LC/MS/MS操作简便,可快速鉴定Caco-2细胞中的莲子心生物碱的代谢产物。莲子心生物碱主要代谢途径有甲基化、去甲基化和葡萄糖醛酸化。

不同贮藏方式对籽莲种子耐盐碱能力的影响

为探究不同贮藏方式对籽莲种子耐盐碱能力的影响,本研究通过模拟控制实验,分析了常温干藏、常温沙藏、低温干藏、低温沙藏和冷冻贮藏共5种不同贮藏方式处理下,籽莲种子的性状变化及幼苗的耐盐碱特征,以期筛选出最优的种子贮藏方式。结果表明,常温沙藏下的籽莲种子及幼苗在盐碱胁迫下表现出较好的生长状态,其发芽势、发芽率,幼苗的芽长、鲜重及过氧化物酶活性均显著高于其他贮藏方式,而低温贮藏会使籽莲种子处于逆境状态,进而导致幼苗脯氨酸、可溶性糖、超氧化物歧化酶活性增加。