Phytochemical Contents and Antioxidant Properties of Ganoderma lucidum Polysaccharides in Relation to Growth Stage and Culture Substrate

[Objectives]To determine physicochemical characteristics and antioxidant activity of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides(GLP)in different growth stages and culture media.[Methods]Five polysaccharides(GLP1,GLP2,GLP3,GLPW and GLPB)were extracted and purified from the fruiting body of G.lucidum at three growth stages and culture substrates(wood culture and bag culture).The chemical components and antioxidant activity of the five polysaccharides were determined.[Results]GLP1 contained the highest content of neutral sugar(87.65%)and GLP3 had the highest uronic acid content.All the samples mainly comprised glucose,galactose,mannose,xylose and arabose with different ratios.Moreover,their antioxidant activities were investigated on the basis of DPPH radical,ABTS radical,SOD-like activity,and antihaemolytic activity.Results indicated in all three growth stages GLP2 had the greatest antioxidant properties.In addition,the antioxidant activity of GLPW was significantly higher than that of GLPB.[Conclusions]Overall,by comparison,G.lucidum in growth stage two may have potential health benefits,and wood culture may be a superior choice of artificial cultivation due to their abundance of active polysaccharides.

Effect of Different Calcium Levels on Growth,Yield and Fruit Quality of Tomatoes in Substrate Culture

Tomato seedlings were grown in substrate culture with pots. The formulation of Holland Greenhouse Horticulture Research Institute was used(as CK) and the effects of different Ca concentrations(LCa, CK and HCa)on growth, yield, and fruit quality(protein, Vitamin C, nitrates, organic acid and soluble sugar) of tomato were studied keeping concentrations of other nutrients unchanged in the nutrient solution. The results showed that parameters related to the growth of tomato(plant height and Stem diameter), changes of tomato yield per plant and quality of tomato fruits were the highest when the plants were grown at 20% Ca treatments. In the second study, increased EC concentrations of nutrient solution resulted in stronger plants with improved yields and quality. Four different concentration gradients of nutrient solution treatment were designed based on the results of the first research stage(EC=1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 m S/cm, respectively). The single tomato plant had the highest production which is 2 268.994 g/plant, when the nutrient solution strength was at EC=1.5 m S cm, whereas they have the best fruit quality when the solution strength at EC 4.5 m S/cm. This suggests the need for wide popularization of the nutrient solution formula in large areas to improve the tomato production.

Effect of Substrate Component on the Growth and Survival of Juvenile Sunray Surf Clam(Mactra chinensis Philippi)

Substrate is a critical environmental factor affecting the activity of bivalves. To examine the effect of the substrate component on the growth and survival of juvenile sunray surf clam(Mactra chinensis Philippi), a series of short-term experiments were conducted using a variety of substrates with different ratios of sand to mud. The experimental group cultured without substrate showed poor survival, with all juveniles died after day 20. The juveniles cultured in mud without sand showed a lower survival rate(25.54% ± 0.40% on day 45) than those in other groups. The juveniles cultured in sand without mud, or the mixtures of sand and mud with a ratio of 1:1 and 2:1, respectively, exhibited modest survival at day 45. Maximal weight gain rate(WGR), shell length growth rate(LGR), and specific growth rate(SGR) were observed when the sand concentration was 61.97%, 77.69%, and 64.64%, respectively. As the fast growth and high survival were observed when the sand to mud ratio was 1:1(50% sand) and 2:1(67% sand), a sand concentration of more than 50% is optimal. The optimal concentration of sand in the substrate for rearing juvenile sunray surf clams was 67% which resulted in the fastest growth and highest survival. These results can be used to developing a nursery/farming technique of improving the yield of sunray surf clams.

Replication of natural surface topographies to generate advanced cell culture substrates

Surface topographies of cell culture substrates can be used to generate in vitro cell culture environments similar to the in vivo cell niches. In vivo, the physical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM), such as its topography, provide physical cues that play an important role in modulating cell function. Mimicking these properties remains a challenge to provide in vitro realistic environments for cells. Artificially generated substrates’ topographies were used extensively to explore this important surface cue. More recently, the replication of natural surface topographies has been enabling to exploration of characteristics such as hierarchy and size scales relevant for cells as advanced biomimetic substrates. These substrates offer more realistic and mimetic environments regarding the topographies found in vivo. This review will highlight the use of natural surface topographies as a template to generate substrates for in-vitro cell culture. This review starts with an analysis of the main cell functions that can be regulated by the substrate’s surface topography through cell-substrate interactions. Then, we will discuss research works wherein substrates for cell biology decorated with natural surface topographies were used and investigated regarding their influence on cellular performance. At the end of this review, we will highlight the advantages and challenges of the use of natural surface topographies as a template for the generation of advanced substrates for cell culture.

Overview of the aeroponic agriculture-An emerging technology for global food security

Traditionally,crops are cultivated in soil-based open field systems.Seasonality,environmental degradation,urbanization,and food security issues have replaced open-field systems with modern plant production systems.Soilless culture is one of the modern plant production systems,which involves much higher use of available resources.The presented study provides information about currently accessible soilless systems and discussed the aeroponic system.Compared to other soilless systems,aeroponic reduce water usage through continuous water circulation.However,the aeroponic is not entirely implemented among local farmers,and very few farmers have adopted the system due to the lack of research and technical information available in the literature.Therefore,this study was planned to provide information about the development and maintenance tasks required for practicing the aeroponic system.This study could provide knowledge to the researchers,farmers,and those people interested in practicing the aeroponic system.

Fast photocurable thiol-ene elastomers with tunable biodegradability,mechanical and surface properties enhance myoblast differentiation and contractile function

Biodegradable elastomers are important emerging biomaterials for biomedical applications,particularly in the area of soft-tissue engineering in which scaffolds need to match the physicochemical properties of native tissues.Here,we report novel fast photocurable elastomers with readily tunable mechanical properties,surface wettability,and degradability.These elastomers are prepared by a 5-min UV-irradiation of thiol-ene reaction systems of glycerol tripentenoate(GTP;a triene)or the combination of GTP and 4-pentenyl 4-pentenoate(PP;a diene)with a carefully chosen series of di-or tri-thiols.In the subsequent application study,these elastomers were found to be capable of overcoming delamination of myotubes,a technical bottleneck limiting the in vitro growth of mature functional myofibers.The glycerol-based elastomers supported the proliferation of mouse and human myoblasts,as well as myogenic differentiation into contractile myotubes.More notably,while beating mouse myotubes detached from conventional tissue culture plates,they remain adherent on the elastomer surface.The results suggest that these elastomers as novel biomaterials may provide a promising platform for engineering functional soft tissues with potential applications in regenerative medicine or pharmacological testing.