Effects of Plant Secondary Metabolite Nicotine on Growth and Development of Frankliniella occidentalis

[Objective] The paper was to explore the chemical and molecular mechanisms of Frankliniella occidentalis, an important quarantine pest, against toxic substances. [Method] F. occidentalis were evaluated after continuous exposure to artificial diets containing nicotine from the 2^（nd） and the 3^（rd）instars for five generations, to determine the larval weight, pupal weight, and larval development duration. [Result] The larval development delayed and nicotine treatment significantly inhibited the weight gain of larvae. Compared to the control, the inhibition rates of larval weight and pupal weight were declined from 45% to 20% and from 25% to 4% respectively after feeding the 2^（nd）instars with nicotine for five generations.Nicotine delayed the larval growth and prolonged the generation duration of F. occidentalis. Nicotine showed more significant inhibitory effect on the lower instar larvae. With the increasing generations of secondary culture, the inhibitory effect of nicotine on larval weight and pupal weight was weakened. The developmental period of larvae was shortened, and the generation duration of F. occidentalis was shortened. [Conclusion] Nicotine affects the growth and development of F. occidentalis. F. occidentalis will gradually increase the adaptability to nicotine toxic substances after selfregulation for a few generations, and relieve the inhibitory effect of toxic substances.

Bioactivity Determination and Control Effect Evaluation of Three Plant Secondary Metabolites against Semiaphis heraclei

[Objective] The paper was to clarify the bioactivity of trans-2-hexenal,oregano oil and thyme oil against Semiaphis heraclei and the synergistic effect of orange peel essential oil and organosilicon on the aphidicidal activity of the three agents.[Method] With S.heraclei,the dominant species of aphids in Lonicera japonica thunb.,as the test insect,the bioactivity and control effect were evaluated by the method of leaf dipping and foliar spraying.[Result] The indoor toxicity of thyme oil was the highest,with the LC_(50) of 1.793 mg/L.Adding additives significantly increased the toxicity of the agents to S.heraclei.Among them,trans-2-hexenal+OSi,oregano oil+OSi and thyme oil+OSi had obvious synergistic effects,with the toxicity coefficients of 1.80,1.48 and 1.45,respectively.Field test showed that the corrected control effect of thyme oil was the highest after con-ventional spraying,and the toxicities of the three agents were higher than that of the control group at 7 d post spraying.Under the condition of 20%reduction of three agents and adding organosilicon,the control effect was increased by about 10% at 1 d post spraying,which was higher than that of the control group at 4 d post spraying,and reached over 98% at 14 d post spraying.[Conclusion] Thyme oil has the highest toxicity and control effect on S.heraclei.Three agents combined with organosilicon have the obvious effect of reducing the quantity and increasing the efficiency,which has the potential for further development.

Plant-derived secondary metabolites as the main source of efflux pump inhibitors and methods for identification

The upsurge of multiple drug resistance(MDR)bacteria substantially diminishes the effectiveness of antibiotic arsenal and therefore intensifies the rate of therapeutic failure.The major factor in MDR is efflux pump-mediated resistance.A unique pump can make bacteria withstand a wide range of structurally diverse compounds.Therefore,their inhibition is a promising route to eliminate resistance phenomenon in bacteria.Phytochemicals are excellent alternatives as resistance-modifying agents.They can directly kill bacteria or interact with the crucial events of pathogenicity,thereby decreasing the ability of bacteria to develop resistance.Numerous botanicals display noteworthy efflux pumps inhibitory activities.Edible plants are of growing interest.Likewise,some plant families would be excellent sources of efflux pump inhibitors(EPIs)including Apocynaceae,Berberidaceae,Convolvulaceae,Cucurbitaceae,Fabaceae,Lamiaceae,and Zingiberaceae.Easily applicable methods for screening plant-derived EPIs include checkerboard synergy test,berberine uptake assay and ethidium bromide test.In silico highthroughput virtual detection can be evaluated as a criterion of excluding compounds with efflux substrate-like characteristics,thereby improving the selection process and extending the identification of EPIs.To ascertain the efflux activity inhibition,real-time PCR and quantitative mass spectrometry can be applied.This review emphasizes on efflux pumps and their roles in transmitting bacterial resistance and an update plant-derived EPIs and strategies for identification.

Like or dislike:Response of rodents to the odor of plant secondary metabolites

Rodents,including common voles(Microtus arvalis)and house mice(Mus musculus)cause immense pre-harvest and post-harvest losses.Therefore,developing methods that mitigate these losses while maintaining their role in ecosystems is a priority.Several plant secondary metabolites(PSM)which significantly reduce food intake of both species under laboratory conditions have been identified.However,before these can be used in rodent pest management,they must be tested under more natural conditions where other food sources are available.In this study,the odors of 4 PSMs were evaluated for their repellent effects in experiments conducted in semi-natural enclosures.Soil treated with PSMs or untreated soil(experimental control)was placed in an underground box containing food(rolled oats).We quantified the number of visits to each box and could demonstrate that all 4 PSMs reduced the number of visits to treatment boxes in both rodent species.For common voles the combination of methyl nonyl ketone+black pepper oil was the most repellent PSM.House mice made fewer visits to all PSM boxes;boxes with the anthraquinone were visited least.Furthermore,house mice consumed less food from boxes containing soil treated with all 4 PSMs.Our results suggest that PSMs are repellent in murid and microtine rodents under semi-field conditions.In addition,the future use of PSM odors for repelling both pest species,especially house mice,seems promising.Further investigations with other PSMs,different concentrations as well as alternative application methods are needed to repel common voles from attractive crops.

Curcumin and Apigenin – novel and promising therapeutics against chronic neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by deposition of amyloid beta, neurofibrillary tangles, astrogliosis and microgliosis, leading to neuronal dysfunction and loss in the brain. Current treatments for Alzheimer’s disease primarily focus on enhancement of cholinergic transmission. However, these treatments are only symptomatic, and no disease-modifying drug is available for Alzheimer’s disease patients. This review will provide an overview of the proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-amyloidogenic, neuroprotective, and cognition-enhancing effects of curcumin and apigenin and discuss the potential of these compounds for Alzheimer’s disease prevention and treatment. We suggest that these compounds might delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease or slow down its progression, and they should enter clinical trials as soon as possible.

Use of Asian selected agricultural byproducts to modulate rumen microbes and fermentation

In the last five decades, attempts have been made to improve rumen fermentation and host animal nutrition through modulation of rumen microbiota. The goals have been decreasing methane production, partially inhibiting protein degradation to avoid excess release of ammonia, and activation of fiber digestion. The main approach has been the use of dietary supplements. Since growth-promoting antibiotics were banned in European countries in2006, safer alternatives including plant-derived materials have been explored. Plant oils, their component fatty acids,plant secondary metabolites and other compounds have been studied, and many originate or are abundantly available in Asia as agricultural byproducts. In this review, the potency of selected byproducts in inhibition of methane production and protein degradation, and in stimulation of fiber degradation was described in relation to their modes of action. In particular, cashew and ginkgo byproducts containing alkylphenols to mitigate methane emission and bean husks as a source of functional fiber to boost the number of fiber-degrading bacteria were highlighted. Other byproducts influencing rumen microbiota and fermentation profile were also described. Future application of these feed and additive candidates is very dependent on a sufficient, cost-effective supply and optimal usage in feeding practice.

Effects of Spent Craft Brewers’ Yeast on Fermentation and Methane Production by Rumen Microorganisms

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a key component of beer brewing and a major by-product. The leftover, spent brewers’ yeast from large breweries has been used as a protein supplement in cattle;however the possible advantages of spent yeast from smaller craft breweries, containing much higher levels of bioactive hop acids, have not been evaluated. Hops secondary metabolites from the hops (Humulus lupulus L.) used to make beer are concentrated in the yeast during brewing, and have antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Uncultivated suspensions of bovine rumen microorganisms produced less methane during fructose fermentation when exposed to inactivated, and freeze-dried spent craft brewers’ yeast than a bakers’ yeast control. The experiment was repeated with caprine rumen microorganisms and ground grass hay as the substrate. Likewise, in the presence of craft brewers’ yeast less methane was produced (2.7% vs. 6.9% CH4). Both experiments also revealed a decrease in acetic acid production, but not propionic acid production, when craft brewers’ yeast was included. These results indicated that spent yeast could represent a co-product for craft breweries, and a feed supplement for ruminants that has a favorable impact on methane production.

Impact of the Glucosinolate Sinigrin on Bacterial Communities in Pieris rapae

Dynamics in animal-associated microbiota can be difficult to study due to community complexity. Previous work showed that microbial communities in the midguts of Pieris rapae larvae contain relatively few members. In this study, we used P. rapae to test hypotheses related to how diet impacts gastrointestinal microbiota. More specifically, we investigated how the concentration of sinigrin, a glucosinolate in the natural diet of this insect, alters microbial community structure. Larvae were fed either sterile wheat germ diet alone or amended with 3.0 mg/ml, 6.0 mg/ml, or 9.0 mg/ml of sinigrin. In order to determine shifts in the gut microbial community, 16S rRNA genes from midguts were subjected to pyrosequencing and analyzed. Sinigrin had a significant impact on microbial communities in fourth instar P. rapae larvae, but this was dependent on concentration. The predominant phyla in all treatment groups were Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. Significant difference in beta diversity was typically observed when sinigrin 6 mg/ml and the control treatment groups were compared. The impact of sinigrin on the structure of the midgut microbiota is dependent on concentration, but not in a linear fashion. This may indicate that types and concentrations of glucosinolates have varied impact on midgut microbial community.

Cradle for the newborn Monochamus saltuarius:Microbial associates to ward off entomopathogens and disarm plant defense

The Japanese pine sawyer,Monochamus saltuarius,as a beetle vector of Bur-saphelenchus xylophilus(pine wood nematode),is an economically important forest pest in Eurasia.To feed on the phloem and xylem of conifers,M.saltuarius needs to overcome various stress factors,including coping with entomopathogenic bacteria and also various plant secondary compounds(PSCs).As an important adaptation strategy to colonize host trees,M.saltuarius deposit eggs in oviposition pits to shield their progeny.These pits har-bor bacterial communities that are involved in the host adaptation of M.saltuarius to the conifers.However,the composition,origin,and functions of these oviposition pit bacteria are rarely understood.In this study,we investigated the bacterial community associated with M.saltuarius oviposition pits and their ability to degrade PSCs.Results showed that the bacterial community structure of M.saltuarius oviposition pits significantly differed from that of uninfected phloem.Also,the oviposition pit bacteria were predicted to be enriched in PSC degradation pathways.The microbial community also harbored a lethal strain of Serratia,which was significantly inhibited.Meanwhile,metatranscriptome anal-ysis indicated that genes involved in PSCs degradation were expressed complementarily among the microbial communities of oviposition pits and secretions.In vitro degrada-tion showed that bacteria cultured from oviposition pits degraded more monoterpenes and flavonoids than bacteria cultured from uninfected phloem isolates.Disinfection of ovipo-sition pits increased the mortality of newly hatched larvae and resulted in a significant decrease in body weight in the early stages.Overall,our results reveal that M.saltuarius construct oviposition pits that harbor a diverse microbial community,with stronger PSCs degradation abilities and a low abundance of entomopathogenic bacteria,resulting in the increased fitness of newly hatched larvae.

Can soil microbial diversity influence plant metabolites and life history traits of a rhizophagous insect？ A demonstration in oilseed rape

Interactions between plants and phytophagous insects play an important part in shaping the biochemical composition of plants. Reciprocally plant metabolites can influ- ence major life history traits in these insects and largely contribute to their fitness. Plant rhizospheric microorganisms are an important biotic factor modulating plant metabolites and adaptation to stress. While plant-insects or plant-microorganisms interactions and their consequences on the plant metabolite signature are well-documented, the impact of soil microbial communities on plant defenses against phytophagous insects remains poorly known. In this study, we used oilseed rape （Brassica napus） and the cabbage root fly （Delia radicum） as biological models to tackle this question. Even though D. radicum is a belowground herbivore as a larva, its adult life history traits depend on aboveground signals. We therefore tested whether soil microbial diversity influenced emergence rate and fitness but also fly oviposition behavior, and tried to link possible effects to modifications in leaf and root metabolites. Through a removal-recolonization experiment, 3 soil microbial modalities （＂high,＂ ＂medium,＂ ＂low＂） were established and assessed through amplicon sequencing of 16S and 18S ribosomal RNA genes. The ＂medium＂ modality in the rhizosphere significantly improved insect development traits. Plant-microorganism interactions were marginally associated to modulations of root metabolites profiles, which could partly explain these results. We highlighted the potential role of plant-microbial interaction in plant defenses against Delia radicum. Rhizospheric microbial communities must be taken into account when analyzing plant defenses against herbivores, being either below or aboveground.

A method to evaluate the bioactive function of fruit extracts of Chinese wild Citrus with microtubular activity

China is one of the most important centers of origin for Citrus genetic resources. Due to the high content of secondary metabolites, mining wild Chinese Citrus for novel medical applications is promising. In this study, extracts of Chinese wild species from different taxonomical groups were screened for potential effects on microtubules （MTs） in vitro. MT density as a readout for nucleation, and frequency distribution over MT lengths as a readout for elongation and decay were determined by quantitative image analysis via a standardized coverslJp assay using fluorescently labelled neurotubulin. Extract from peels of Citrus ichangensis Swing. strongly increased the density of MTs; whereas, extract from peels of Cfurs limon （L.） Burm.f. exerted the opposite effect. Extract from pulp of Citrus limonia Osbeck promoted MT elongation, and in addition induced a small population of very long MTs. These data suggest that wild Chinese Citrus harbour compounds that act specifically on different aspects of MT nucleation, elongation, and decay.

Global Change Effects on Plant Chemical Defenses against Insect Herbivores

This review focuses on individual effects of major global change factors, such as elevated CO2, O3, UV light and temperature, on plant secondary chemistry. These secondary metabolites are well-known for their role in plant defense against insect herbivory. Global change effects on secondary chemicals appear to be plant species-specifc and dependent on the chemical type. Even though plant chemical responses induced by these factors are highly variable, there seems to be some specificity in the response to different environmental stressors. For example, even though the production of phenolic compounds is enhanced by both elevated CO2 and UV light levels, the latter appears to primarily increase the concentrations of flavonoids. Likewise, specific phenolic metabolites seem to be induced by O3 but not by other factors, and an increase in volatile organic compounds has been particularly detected under elevated temperature. More information is needed regarding how global change factors influence inducibility of plant chemical defenses as well as how their indirect and direct effects impact insect performance and behavior, herbivory rates and pathogen attack. This knowledge is crucial to better understand how plants and their associated natural enemies will be affected in future changing environments.

Production of Active Compounds in Medicinal Plants:From Plant Tissue Culture to Biosynthesis

Over past decades plant tissue culture has emerged as an alternative of whole plant cultivation in the production of valuable secondary metabolites.Adventitious roots culture of Panax ginseng and Echinacea purpure has reached the scale of 1-10 kL.Some molecular biological techniques,such as transgenic technology and genetic stability are increasingly used in the studies on plant tissue cultures.The studies on elicitors have deepened into the induction mechanism,including signal molecules,functional genes,and so on.More and more biological elicitors,such as A.niger and yeast are used to increase the active compounds in plant tissue cultures.We also discussed the application of synthetic biology in the studies on biosynthesis of artemisinin,paclitaxel,and tanshinon.The studies on active ingredients biosynthesis of medicinal plants provide unprecedented possibilities to achieve mass production of active ingredients.Plant tissue cultures can not only produce active ingredients but also as experimental materials for biosynthesis.In order to improve the contents of active compounds in medicinal plants,following aspects could be carried out gene interference or gene silencing,gene overexpression,combination with chemical synthesis,application of elicitors,and site-directed mutagenesis of the key enzymes.

AGRONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF REINTRODUCING HERB-AND LEGUME-RICH MULTISPECIES LEYS INTO ARABLE ROTATIONS:A REVIEW

Agricultural intensification and the subsequent decline of mixed farming systems has led to an increase in continuous cropping with only a few fallow or break years,undermining global soil health.Arable-ley rotations incorporating temporary pastures(leys) lasting 1–4 years may alleviate soil degradation by building soil fertility and improving soil structure.However,the majority of previous research on arable-ley rotations has utilized either grass or grassclover leys within ungrazed systems.Multispecies leys,containing a mix of grasses,legumes,and herbs,are rapidly gaining popularity due to their promotion in agri-environment schemes and potential to deliver greater ecosystem services than conventional grass or grass-clover leys.Livestock grazing in arable-ley rotations may increase the economic resilience of these systems,despite limited research of the effects of multispecies leys on ruminant health and greenhouse gas emissions.This review aims to evaluate previous research on multispecies leys,highlighting areas for future research and the potential benefits and disbenefits on soil quality and livestock productivity.The botanical composition of multispecies leys is crucial,as legumes,deep rooted perennial plants(e.g.,Onobrychis viciifolia and Cichorium intybus) and herbs(e.g.,Plantago lanceolata) can increase soil carbon,improve soil structure,reduce nitrogen fertilizer requirements,and promote the recovery of soil fauna(e.g.,earthworms) in degraded arable soils while delivering additional environmental benefits(e.g.,biological nitrification inhibition and enteric methane reduction).Multispecies leys have the potential to deliver biologically driven regenerative agriculture,but more long-term research is needed to underpin evidence-based policy and farmer guidance.