Analysis of Organic Acids Accumulated in Kochia Scoparia Shoots and Roots by Reverse-phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography Under Salt and Alkali Stress

Several organic acids accumulated in Kochia Scoparia shoots and roots were studied by means of reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography with a C18 column. Five types of binary organic acids were separated. The organic acid concentrations were determined in K. Scoparia seedlings stressed by saline （NaCI） and alkaline （NaHCO3） at the same Na^＋ concentration. Concentrations of organic acids are stimulated by alkaline because the cells will adjust their pH values through the accumulation of organic acids, when the environment is basic. The concentrations of oxalic acid and succinic acid are higher than those of other organic acids, including tartaric acid and malic acid, and the concentration of citric acid is the lowest. The concentrations of the organic acids in the roots are higher than those in the shoots under salt（NaCI） stress, but the results are opposite while the roots are under alkali （ NaHCO3 ） stress. This indicates that there are different adaptive strategies for K. Scopar/a seedlings in organic acid metabolism under salt and alkali stress.

Melatonin Alleviates Abscisic Acid Deficiency Inhibition on Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Systems in Rice under Salt Stress

Melatonin and abscisic acid,as major plant hormones,play important roles in the physiological and biochemical activities of crops,but the interaction between the two under salt stress is not yet clear.This study investigated the endogenous levels of melatonin and abscisic acid in rice by using exogenous melatonin,abscisic acid,and their synthetic inhibitors,and examined their interactions under salt stress.The research results indicate that melatonin and abscisic acid can improve rice salt tolerance.Melatonin alleviated the salt sensitivity caused by abscisic acid deficiency,increased antioxidant enzyme activity and antioxidant content in rice treated with abscisic acid synth-esis inhibitors,and reduced total reactive oxygen species content and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance accu-mulation.Melatonin also increased the activity of key photosynthetic enzymes and the content of photosynthetic pigments,maintaining the parameters of photosynthetic gas exchange and chlorophyllfluorescence.In summary,melatonin alleviated the effects of abscisic acid deficiency on photosynthesis and antioxidant systems in rice and improved salt tolerance.This study is beneficial for expanding the understanding of melatonin regulation of crop salt tolerance.

Quantitative Extraction of p-Coumaric Acid and Ferulic Acid in Different Gramineous Materials and Structural Changes of Residual Alkali Lignin

Ferulic acid(FA)and p-coumaric acid(pCA)in bagasse,wheat straw,corn straw,and corncob were extracted by alkaline hydrolysis and characterized by gas chromatography(GC)and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS).It was found that the FA and most of the pCA in gramineous biomass could be dissociated and released after being treated with 1 M NaOH at 100℃for 4 h.The yields of pCA/FA in bagasse,wheat straw,corn straw,and corncob determined by GC-FID are 39.8/11.5,13.7/11.0,28.0/11.0,and 35.1/14.5 mg/g,respectively.The raw materials and the treated solid residues were characterized by gel-state 2D Heteronuclear Single Quantum Coherence Nuclear Magnetic Resonance(2D HSQC NMR).It was found that only a small amount of lignin was detected in the residue after alkali treatment,indicating that the alkali treatment conditions can effectively cleave the FA and pCA.Additionally,the lignin in the alkali solution was recovered and characterized by 2D HSQC NMR.The FA was not able to be detected by NMR,whereas a small amount of pCA remained in the alkali lignin.This study reveals the structural change of residual lignins during the quantitative isolation of FA and pCA,which is essential for the selective isolation of pCA/FA and valorization of residual alkali lignin.

Adaptive strategy of Nitraria sibirica to transient salt,alkali and osmotic stresses via the alteration of Na+/K+fluxes around root tips

Nitraria sibirica Pall.is an important shrub with a strong salt-alkali tolerance,but the mechanism underlying this tolerance remains obscure.In this study,N.sibirica,with salt-sensitive Vigna radiata(Linn.)Wilczek as the control,was subjected to transient salt stress(100 mM NaCl),alkali stress(50 mM Na_(2)CO_(3)),and osmotic stress(175 mM mannitol).The ionic fluxes of Na^(+)and K^(+)in the root apical region were measured.Results show that,under salt and alkali stress,N.sibirica roots exhibited higher capacities to limit Na+influx and reduce K+efflux,thereby resulting in lower Na^(+)/K^(+)ratios compared with V.radiata roots.Alkali stress induced stronger Na^(+)influx and K+efflux in the root salt stress treatment;Na^(+)influx was mainly observed in the root cap,while K^(+)efflux was mainly observed in the elongation zone.While under osmotic stress,N.sibirica roots showed stronger Na+efflux and weaker K+efflux than V.radiata roots.Na+efflux was mainly observed in the root elongation zone,while K+efflux was in the root cap.These results reveal the ionic strategy of N.sibirica in response to transient salt,alkali,and osmotic stresses through the regulation of Na+/K+flux homeostasis.

Effects of Salt Stress on Fatty Acid Composition of Thylakoid Membrane of Two Rice Cultivars Differing in Salt Tolerance

[Objective] The aim of the study is to understand the changes of fatty acid composition of rice thylakoid membrane under salt stress.[Method] Under salt stress of different concentrations of NaCl,rice seedlings of Pokkali and Peta with six leaves and one central leaf were used as experimental materials to extract the fatty acid from their thylakoid membranes,and gas chromatograph(1890)was used to analyze fatty acid composition.[Result] Fatty acid component 14∶0,18∶0,16∶1(3t),18∶1 in both the two experimental materials showed little variations in the first four days of salt stress,whereafter they increased slightly;while the fatty acid component 16∶0 and level of saturation of fatty acid(LSFA)showed the similar variation trend in the first four days of treatment compared to those of the fatty acid components mentioned above,whereafter they rose in Pokkali and presented an opposite variation trend in Peta;fatty acid component 18∶3 and level of unsaturation of fatty acid(LUFA)reduced all the time under stress condition,and the reducing amplitude in 100 mmol/L NaCl treatment group was smaller than that of 100 mmol/L NaCl treatment group,and in Pokkali was smaller than that in Peta under specific conditions.Meanwhile,level of saturation of fatty acid in both experimental materials increased,and the rising amplitude in Peta was smaller than that of Pokkali.[Conclusion] With regard to LUFA,Pokkali is endowed with more salt tolerance than Peta.

Analysis on Maize EST Database under the Co-stress of Drought,Salt and Alkali

[Objective] The research aimed to construct maize cDNA library under the co-stress of drought,salt and alkali,and initially analyze the expression of gene which related to the cellular function.[Method] The total RNA of mixed tissue（leaf,stem and blossom bud） of maize YQ7-96 in the male and female differentiation period（12-leaf age） was extracted.By using SMART technology,cDNA library of pDNR-LIB vector was constructed.BlastX contrast and MIPS classification analysis of EST sequence were carried out by randomly picking the clone.[Result] 3 027 cDNA clones were picked out to sequence.The length of 94.45% EST was bigger than 400 bp,and 1 861 single gene clusters were obtained.The gene which maintained the normal physiological activity occupied 65.36%.The genes which involved in the intracellular transportation,signal transduction,cell defense and cycle,DNA metabolic process were respectively 9.26%,6.58%,2.63% and 3.16%.[Conclusion] Based on the successful construction of maize cDNA library under the co-stress of drought,salt and alkali,EST was sequenced,analyzed and classified.EST which related to the cellular function was screened.It laid the foundation for the following research.

Three Salts of Labdanic Acids from Andrographis paniculata (Acanthaceae)

Three salts of labdanic acids, named as magnesium andrographate, disodium andrographate and dipotassium andrographate 19-O-beta -D-glucoside were isolated from the hydrophilic extract of Andrographis paniculata Nees. (Acanthaceae), together with guanosine, uridine, 6-epihardpagide, procumbide, violanthin and apigenin 7-O-beta -D-glucoside. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and chemical transformation.

Alkali-metal-modified ZSM-5 zeolites for improvement of catalytic dehydration of lactic acid to acrylic acid

Various ZSM-5 zeolites modified with alkali metals （Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs） were prepared using ion exchange. The catalysts were used to enhance the catalytic dehydration of lactic acid （LA） to acrylic acid （AA）. The effects of cationic species on the structures and surface acid-base distributions of the ZSM-5 zeolites were investigated. The important factors that affect the catalytic performance were also identified. The modified ZSM-5 catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, tempera- ture-programmed desorptions of NH3 and CO2, pyridine adsorption spectroscopy, and N2 adsorption to determine the crystal phase structures, surface acidities and basicities, nature of acid sites, specific surface areas, and pore volumes. The results show that the acid-base sites that are adjusted by alkali-metal species, particularly weak acid-base sites, are mainly responsible for the formation of AA. The KZSM-5 catalyst, in particular, significantly improved LA conversion and AA selectivity because of the synergistic effect of weak acid-base sites. The reaction was conducted at different reaction temperatures and liquid hourly space velocities （LHSVs） to understand the catalyst selectivity for AA and trends in byproduct formation. Approximately 98% LA conversion and 77% AA selectivity were achieved using the KZSM-5 catalyst under the optimum conditions （40 wt% LA aqueous solution, 365 ℃, and LHSV 2 h-1）.

Effects of alkaline additives on the formation of lactic acid in sorbitol hydrogenolysis over Ni/C catalyst

Lactic acid is produced as a major byproduct during sorbitol hydrogenolysis under alkaline conditions.We investigated the effects of two different alkaline additives,Ca（OH）2 and La（OH）3,on lactic acid formation during sorbitol hydrogenolysis over Ni/C catalyst.In the case of Ca（OH）2,the selectivity of lactic acid was 8.9%.In contrast,the inclusion of La（OH）3 resulted in a sorbitol conversion of 99% with only trace quantities of lactic acid being detected.In addition,the total selectivity towards the C2 and C4 products increased from 20.0% to 24.5% going from Ca（OH）2 to La（OH）3.These results therefore indicated that La（OH）3 could be used as an efficient alkaline additive to enhance the conversion of sorbitol.Pyruvic aldehyde,which is formed as an intermediate during sorbitol hydrogenolysis,can be converted to both 1,2-propylene glycol and lactic acid by hydrogenation and rearrangement reactions,respectively.Notably,these two reactions are competitive.When Ca（OH）2 was used as an additive for sorbitol hydrogenolysis,both the hydrogenation and rearrangement reactions occurred.In contrast,the use of La（OH）3 favored the hydrogenation reaction,with only trace quantities of lactic acid being formed.

Effects of neutral salt and alkali on ion distributions in the roots,shoots,and leaves of two alfalfa cultivars with differing degrees of salt tolerance

The effects of neutral salt and alkali on the ion distribution were investigated in two alfalfa （Medicago sativa L.） cultivars, including Zhongmu 1, a high salt-tolerant cultivar, and Algonquin, a low salt-tolerant cultivar. The alkali stress expressed more serious growth inhibition than the neutral salt stress at the same Na＋ concentration. Compared with Algonquin, Zhongmu 1 did not exhibit a higher alkali tolerance under the Na2CO3-NaHCO3 treatment with the low Na＋ concentration （50 mmol L-l）. The alkali increased the accumulation of Na＋, Ca2＋, and Mg2＋ in the root and changed the Ca2＋ and Mg2＋ balance in the entire alfalfa plant. The salt and alkali stresses decreased the K＋ and Fe3＋ contents of the roots and leaves, the root Mn2＋ content, and the shoot Zn2＋ content, but they increased the Fe3＋ accumulation of the shoots, the shoot and leaf Cu2＋ contents, and the leaf Zn2＋ content in both alfalfa cultivars. Based on the results obtained under the conditions of this experiment, we found that the salt and alkali stresses reduced the plant growth in both alfalfa cultivars, while the alkali caused a stronger stress than the neutral salt in alfalfa. Thus, we conclude that under hydroponic conditions, the deleterious effects of the alkali on plants are due to the distribution change of some trophic ion balance in the roots, shoots, and leaves of the plants by causing of Na＋, CO3^2-, and/or HCO3- stresses.

Physiological Mechanism of Salicylic Acid for Alleviation of Salt Stress in Rice

Soil salinity is one of the most important problems of crop production in estuarine and coastal zones. Improvement in salt tolerance of major food crops is an important way for the economic utilization of coastal zones. This study proved that the application of salicylic acid(SA) improved the growth and yield under salt stress conditions and investigated its physiological mechanisms for salt tolerance. The investigation on the effect of SA for salt tolerance during germination showed that the decreased rates of germination and growth(in terms of shoot and root lengths) by the salt stress were significantly increased by the SA application(SA + NaCl). The treatment of SA to the high and low saline soils enhanced the growth, yield and nutrient values of rice. The effects of SA on Na^+, K^+ and Cl~– ionic accumulation were traced under salt stress condition by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and ion chromatography. It was revealed that the increased accumulation of Na^+ and Clˉ ions by the salt stress were reduced by SA application. An increased concentration of endogenous SA level was detected from the SA-treated rice varieties(ASD16 and BR26) by liquid chromatography electrospray Ionization-tandem mass spectrometry. The activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase were increased by salt stress whereas decreased by the SA application. The study proved that the application of SA could alleviate the adverse effects of salt stress by the regulation of physiological mechanism in rice plants. In spite of salt stress, it can be applied to the coastal and estuarine regions to increase the rice production.

Effect of Ascorbic Acid and Silicium on Photosynthesis, Antioxidant Enzyme Activity, and Fatty Acid Contents in Canola Exposure to Salt Stress

The effects of exogenous ascorbic acid and silicium on leaf fresh weigh, seed yield, photosynthesis, changes of the activities of major antioxidant enzymes, nitrate reductase activity, proline accumulation, chlorophyll content, and fatty acid composition were investigated in salt-stressed canola. A hydroponic pot experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design, factorial arrangement was used with 16 combinations of salinity stress （0, 100, 200, and 300 mmol L-1 NaC1）, ascorbic acid （0 and 30 mmol L-1）, and silicium （2 and 4 mmol L-1 from potassium silicate） with three replicates. The results showed that salinity significantly decreased leaf area and leaf fresh weight, seed yield, photosynthesis, nitrate reductase activity, chlorophyll content, and seed protein percentage. Conversely, respiration, antioxidant enzymes activity, proline accumulation, and linolenic acid percentage increased due to salt stress. Ascorbic acid application improved photosynthesis and seed yield and mitigated antioxidant enzyme activity. In addition, nitrate reductase activity and chlorophyll a and b were positively affected by ascorbic acid. Regarding silicium application, that was found that leaf area, leaf fresh weight, seed yield and photosynthesis, ascorbate peroxidase activity, nitrate reductase activity, and chlorophyll content increased, while respiration decreased. Furthermore, silicium had not significant effect on antioxidant enzyme activity. In general, ascorbic acid and silicium were involved in the defensive mechanisms against salinity stress and it can be suggested that, ascorbic acid and silicium application had positive effect on canola growth under conditions of salt stress.

Effects of Cinnamic Acid on Bacterial Community Diversity in Rhizosphere Soil of Cucumber Seedlings Under Salt Stress

To investigate the effects of a plant autotoxin, cinnamic acid, on bacterial communities in the rhizosphere soil of cucumber seedlings under salt stress, we used cucumber as the experimental material, cinnamic acid as the autotoxin, and NaCl to apply salt stress. Bacterial communities in the rhizosphere soil were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction （PCR）, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE）, and clone sequencing. Salt stress decreased the diversity of bacterial species in rhizosphere soil of cucumber seedlings at several growth stages. Cinnamic acid exacerbated the effects of salt stress at high concentrations, but alleviated its effects at low concentrations. Cloning and sequencing results indicated that DGGE bands amplified from soil samples showed high homology to uncultured bacterial species. Cinnamic acid at 50 mg kg^-1 soil improved cucumber growth and was the most effective treatment to alleviate the effects of salt stress on bacterial communities.

Reductive smelting of spent lead–acid battery colloid sludge in a molten Na_2CO_3 salt

Lead extraction from spent lead–acid battery paste in a molten Na2CO3 salt containing Zn O as a sulfur-fixing agent was studied. Some influencing factors, including smelting temperature, reaction time, Zn O and salt dosages, were investigated in detail using single-factor experiments. The optimum conditions were determined as follows: T = 880°C; t = 60 min; Na2CO3/paste mass ratio = 2.8:1; and the Zn O dosage is equal to the stoichiometric requirement. Under the optimum conditions, the direct recovery rate of lead reached 98.14%. The results suggested that increases in temperature and salt dosage improved the direct recovery rate of lead. XRD results and thermodynamic calculations indicated that the reaction approaches of lead and sulfur were Pb SO4→Pb and Pb SO4→Zn S, respectively. Sulfur was fixed in the form of Zn S, whereas the molten salt did not react with other components, serving only as a reaction medium.

Alkali salts of heteropoly tungstates: Efficient catalysts for the synthesis of biodiesel from edible and non-edible oils

Alkali salts of tungsten based heteropoly acids with different central atom such as P, Si and Co were prepared and evaluated for transes- terification of both edible and non-edible oils to their corresponding fatty acid methyl esters. The catalyst of sodium salt of tungstic acid with Co as central atom （Na5CoW12O40） showed optimum activity towards transesterification compared with other heteropoly tungstates. The catalysts activities were correlated with the observed physico-chemical characteristics derived from FT-infrared （FT-IR）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia （NH3-TPD） and carbon dioxide （CO2-TPD）. The Na5CoW12O40 catalyst exhibiting high activity even at 65 ℃ is due to the presence of strong acidic as well as basic sites. The disclosed catalyst is tolerable towards water and free fatty acids present in the oils. The influence of catalyst loading, reaction time and reaction temperature is studied to optimize the reaction parameters.

Effect of acid phosphatase produced by Trichoderma asperellum Q1 on growth of Arabidopsis under salt stress

Salt stress is a major environmental factor that inhibits crop growth.Trichoderma spp.are the most efficient biocontrol fungi and some of the strains can stimulate plant growth.Phosphate solubilization is known as one of the main mechanisms in promoting plant growth,but the underlying mechanisms of phosphate solubilization in the salinity still need to be explored.The Trichoderma asperellum Q1 isolated and identified in our lab is a beneficial rhizosphere biocontrol fungus with a high phosphate solubilization activity.It could produce acid and alkaline phosphatases when using insoluble organic phosphorus as the sole phosphorus source,the salt stress increased the phosphorus-solubilization ability of the strain and the activities of the two enzymes.Furthermore,an acid phosphatase was purified from the fermentation broth by ammonium sulphate precipitation,ion-exchange,and gel filtration chromatography.Its molecular weight was 55 k Da as determined by SDS-PAGE.The purified acid phosphatase was used to investigate growth performance of Arabidopsis thaliana by plate assay and the result showed that it contributed to Arabidopsis growth by transforming organic phosphate into a soluble inorganic form under salt stress.To our knowledge,this is the first report on acid phosphatase purification from T.asperellum and its function in regulation of plant growth under salt stress.

Effects of Exogenous Trehalose on the Metabolism of Sugar and Abscisic Acid in Tomato Seedlings Under Salt Stress

Salt stress a ects the growth and development of plants, which results in a decrease in crop quality and yield. In this study, we used tomato seedlings treated with salt and trehalose as experimental materials and analyzed them using the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution analysis to select the optimal trehalose concentration for treatment. We also determined the contents of sugar and abscisic acid (ABA) and detected the expression of genes involved in the metabolism of sugar and ABA by quantitative real-time PCR. Results showed that the optimal trehalose concentration was 2 mmol/L for tomato seedlings under salt stress. Exogenous trehalose decreased the starch content and increased the soluble sugar con- tent by a ecting the expression of genes related to the metabolism of starch and soluble sugar. Exogenous trehalose altered the accumulation and distribution of sugar by inducing the upregulation of sugar transporter genes. Furthermore, trehalose increased the ABA content to induce salt stress response by regulating the expression of genes related to the synthesis and metabolism of ABA. In conclusion, trehalose can e ectively alleviate salt stress and enhance salt tolerance of tomato. These ndings provide a novel perspective and a better resource to investigate the salt tolerance mechanism and a new method for alleviating salt stress in tomato.

Anodising of 2024-T3 aluminium alloy in electrolyte of sulphuric-boric-phosphoric mixed acid containing cerium salt as corrosion inhibitor

The effect of cerium salt as an inhibitor in anodising of the2024-T3aluminium alloy was studied.Scanning electronmicroscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to study the surface composition of the alloy before andafter surface preparation.A mixed electrolyte of10%sulphuric acid,5%boric acid and2%phosphoric acid containing0.1mol/Lcerium sulphate salt was used as the anodising electrolyte.Sealing treatment was also done in boiling water and molten stearic acid.Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and salt spray techniques were performed in order to investigate the corrosion behaviourand durability of the oxide films,respectively.It was concluded that the presence of cerium ions in anodising electrolyte resulted inthe increase in homogeneity,the rate of oxide film growth and also the thickness of the oxide layer,owing to the high oxidisingpower of cerium ion.

Effects of salt and alkali stress on Reaumuria soongorica germination

Seed germination and early seedling growth are crucial stages for plant establishment. Two neutral(Na Cl and Na2SO4) and two alkali(Na HCO3 and Na2CO3) salts were selected to investigate their effects on germination and recovery responses in Reaumuria soongorica. Results show that both salt types significantly reduced germination and radicle elongation. The rate of germination and emergence of R. soongorica seeds continuously decreased as salinity increased, and the time to achieve maximum germination rate was delayed. The speed of seed germination dropped rapidly as salt concentration increased.Alkaline salts restricted the germination rate of R. soongorica seeds, and stresses resulting from alkaline salts and high concentrations of neutral salts resulted in many deformed seedlings. The length of the radicle and germ decreased with increasing salt concentration, but certain concentrations of salt and increased p H promoted germ growth. The results of regression analysis show that salt concentration was the dominant factor inhibiting R. soongorica seed germination rate. Salinity, buffering capacity, and p H all affected embryo growth, but salinity had the most pronounced effect. Seed viability under highly saline conditions appears to be a better indicator of adaptation to saline environments than seed germination under saline conditions.

Cloning of Bile Salt Hydrolase Gene and Its Expression in Lactic Acid Bacteria

According to the sequence of the bile salt hydrolase （BSH） gene of Bifidobacterium and the restriction enzyme cutting sites of expression vector pNZ8148, primers were designed and the bile salt hydrolase （BSH） gene was gotten from Bacillus bifidus ATCC 29521 by PCR. BSH gene was inserted into lactic acid bacteria expression vector pNZ8148 to construct the recombinant pNZ8148-BSH. The recombinant pNZ8148-BSH was transferred into lactic acid bacteria NZ9000 with electrotransformation method. And the recombinant which could express BSH protein was obtained. It was identified by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis and activity verification. The result could provide a rationale reference for expressing BSH in lactic acid bacteria.