Study on the Mechanism of Browning of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.cv.Ganesh) Peel in Different Storage Conditions

Peel browning of pomegranate fruit is the key problem during storage. The mechanism of it during storage in relation to the technology of the browning control was studied in this paper. The effects of storage temperature, gas component and pH value on peel browning of sweet pomegranate fruit in Lintong, Shaanxi Province, China, were investigated. Change in tannin content was measured and the relationship between the activities of ascorbic acid oxidase （AAO）, polypenoloxidase （PPO）, peroxidase （POD）, catalase （CAT） and peel browning was analysed. The results showed tannin was the basic substance of pomegranate peel browning. The activities of the browning index of peel were correlated positively with AAO, PPO and POD, correlated negatively with CAT activity. Application of intermittent warming for 24 h at （15 ± 0.5）℃ every 5 days for pomegranate fruit storage under the conditions of pH 4.0, （5.0± 0.5）℃ and 5.0% CO2 ＋ 8.0% O2 ＋ 87.0% N2 gas component could delay browning, with the browning index being 0.15 after 120 days of storage. Enzymatic tannin denaturation was the main cause that led to peel browning of pomegranate fruit during storage. The browning control of pomegranate fruit peel was effective using intermittent warming storage with suitable pH, temperature and gas component.

Effect of Punica granatum peel extract on learning and memory in rats

Objective:To evaluate potential memory enhancing effect of Punica granatum peel extract on rats.Methods:Healthy adult male albino rats of Wistar strain were used.Each group of 6 rats were administered either distilled water or 50 mg/kg of extract or 100 mg/kg of extract for 15 days and subjected to passive avoidance test or T-maze test.In the next phase rats were administered distilled water or 100 mg/kg of extract for 15 days and the rats were given injection diazepam before subjecting them to the tests.Results:The overall performance was better in test groups compared to control groups.Among the test groups,100 mg/kg rats performed better than 50 mg/kg.The effect on spatial learning parameters like mean number of alternations and mean percentage bias was more marked compared to retention testing parameters like latency. 100 mg/kg Punica extract treated group also improved performance of diazepam treated rats. Conclusions:There is a definite trend of memory improvement by Punica granatum peel with effects being more marked on spatial learning tendency and long term memory than on retention capacity.

Comprehensive evaluation of 20 pomegranate(Punica granatum L.) cultivars in China

Recent investigations on pomegranate products have significantly increased and successfully drawn consumers’ attention to nutritional and medicinal values, promoting the pomegranate industry’s development worldwide. However, little information on pomegranates grown in China is available. Morphological and chemical characterizations of fruits and arils from 20 pomegranate cultivars in six regions of China were investigated. Combined with overall scores by principal component analysis, ‘Yushiliu No. 1’, ‘Taishanhong No. 2’, ‘Tunisia’ and ‘Mollar’ were promising cultivars, and Chinese researchers bred the first two. It was surprising that ‘Mollar’ had bigger fruit size and more aril moisture grown in China than in Spain. Cultivars with higher anthocyanin content in arils were ‘Turkey’, ‘Moyu’ and ‘Red Angel’, which might be used as the source of natural red food colourants. While red husk ‘Hongruyi’ and ‘Hongshuangxi’ with higher vitamin C, aril moisture and lower titratable acid in arils, might also be promising cultivars for further various utilization. Furthermore, the comparison of ‘Tunisia’ fruits from four regions revealed that cultivation locations had more influence on fruit traits than genotypes. Maturity index classification was established for Chinese pomegranate cultivars. Therefore, the results would provide a valuable guide for agricultural cultivation, industrial utilization, and breeding.

Antioxidant Activity of Pomegranate (<i>Punica granatum</i>L.) Fruit Peels

The antioxidant activity of pomegranate fruit peels was evaluated using in vitro tests. 80% methanolic extracts (ME) of peels had higher yield (45.4%) and total phenolics (27.4%) than water (WE) or ether extracts (EE). The reducing power of ME was more potent (P α-catechin. Pomegranate peels contained phenolics, exhibited DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power.

Ameliorative properties of Iranian Trigonella foenum-graecum L. seeds and Punica granatum L. peel extracts in streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetic guinea pigs

Objective: To assess the ameliorative properties of Iranian Trigonella foenum-graecum L.(T. foenum-graecum) seeds and Punica granatum L.(P. granatum) peel extracts against streptozotocin-induced diabetes in male guinea pigs.Methods: Sixty guinea pigs were divided into six groups(10 guinea pigs per group).Group 1 consisted of normal animals. Groups 2 and 3 were treated with Iranian T. foenum-graecum seeds and P. granatum peel extract alone, respectively. Group 4 was treated with streptozotocin only; whereas Groups 5 and 6 receiving streptozotocin were treated with Iranian T. foenum-graecum seeds and P. granatum peel extract, respectively.All animals were treated for 30 days, and the body weight, blood and liver biochemical parameters were measured.Results: Guinea pigs exposed to streptozotocin showed an alteration in body weight gain, fasting glucose level, kidney function parameters(blood urea nitrogen and creatinine) as well as decreased serum and hepatic total protein level. In addition, it increased the cholesterol and triglyceride level, while decreasing the hepatic glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase activity, glycogen, glutathione content and hepatic catalase activity. Oral treatment with T. foenum-graecum seeds and P. granatum peel extracts revealed significant protective properties with respect to body weight gain and other biochemical parameters studied.Conclusions: The Iranian T. foenum-graecum seeds and P. granatum peel extracts are significantly potent in ameliorating diabetic condition induced by streptozotocin and improving various biochemical parameters in serum and liver of guinea pigs.

Biosorption of Ni(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) by Punica gerana-tum from Aqueous Solutions

In this paper removal of Ni(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions by leaves of Punica geranatum were investigated. The biosorption was found to be pH dependent and the highest uptake of all the men- tioned metal ions occurred at pH 4. Furthermore, the influence of other parameters such as initial metal ions concentration and contact time of biosorbent and sorbents were evaluated. Equilibrium data fitted very well to Langmuir model for all studied metals. It was also concluded that the Freundlich isotherm cannot be enough appropriate for the equilibrium data of all three metals. Biosorption of Ni(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II), reached equilibrium in 60, 60 and 30 min, respectively. Moreover, the adsorption rate of the metals can be best described by the second order model.

Antinociceptive Effects of Pomegranate (<i>Punica granatum</i>L.) Juice and Seed Extracts on Acute Corneal Pain in Mice

In the present study, the antinociceptive effects of acute (2, 4 and 6 ml/kg) and chronic (1, 2 and 3 ml/kg for 14 days)oral administration of?pomegranate (Punica granatum?L.) juice and seed?extract with or without morphine and naloxane were investigated?on?hypertonic saline-induced acute corneal pain perception in mice. The number of eye wipes with a forelimb was counted for a period of 30 seconds as the criterion for pain assessment. Acute oral administration of the extract?(at 6 ml/kg dose, once) and chronic oral administration?(at 2 and 3 ml/kg for 14 days each) significantly decreased the number of eye wipes after subcutaneous injection of morphine (2 mg/kg, sc), naloxone (2 mg/kg, sc) and normal saline (2 mg/kg, sc) compared with control (p < 0.05). The morphine-induced antinociception was significantly improved by both acute and chronic oral administrations of pomegranate extract (p < 0.05). Naloxone (2 mg/kg, sc) did not reverse the antinociceptive effects of acute (at 6 ml/kg dose, once, oral) and chronic (at 2 and 3 ml/kg for 14 days each) treatments. These findings demonstrate that acute high-dose and long-term lower-dose of pomegranate juice and seed extract can decrease acute corneal pain and improve morphine-induced antinociception in mice.

Removal of Fluoride from Groundwater by Carbonised <i>Punica granatum</i>Carbon (“CPGC”) Bio-Adsorbent

This study applies the development and application of low cost, Punica granatum bio-adsorbent for the removal of fluoride in groundwater. The batch adsorption study was carried out to analyze the defluoridation by contact time variation, adsorbent dose, adsorbate concentration, adsorbent particle size and presence of co-anions at neutral pH. The analysis of the isotherm equilibrium data using the Langmuir and Freundlich equations by linear methods showed that the data fitted better with Freundlich model (R2 > 0.980). Prepared adsorbent showed enhanced removal of fluoride concentration by 78.1% at equilibrium contact time of 75 minutes. Carbonised Punica granatum Carbon (CPGC) seeds showed a high affinity for fluoride ions compared with other conventional adsorbents. Therefore, it can be considered as a potentially “good”, low-cost bio-adsorbent for de-fluoridation of water compared to other bio-adsorbent.

Phytochemical Determination and Antibacterial Activity of Punica granatum Peel Extracts against Plant Pathogenic Bacteria

Plant pathogenic bacteria are recognized to be harmful microbes able to decrease the quantity and quality of crop production in the world. Punica granatum peel was screened for its potential use as biological control agent for plant pathogenic bacteria. P. granatum peel was successfully extract using n-hexane, methanol and ethyl acetate by maceration. The highest yield obtained by ethyl acetate showed that ethyl acetate extracted more compounds that readily soluble to methanol and n-hexane. For in-vitro antibacterial activity, three different species of plant pathogenic bacteria were used namely Erwinia carotovorum subsp. Carotovorum, Ralstonia solanacearum, and Xanthomonas gardneri. For all crude extracts, four different concentrations 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/ml were used in cup-plate agar diffusion method. Streptomycin sulfate at concentration 30 μg/ml was used as positive control while each respective solvent used for peel extraction was used as negative control. The results obtained from in vitro studies showed only ethyl acetate extract possessed antibacterial activity tested on the plant pathogenic bacteria. Methanol and n-hexane did not show any antibacterial activity against plant pathogenic bacteria selected where no inhibition zones were recorded. R. solanacearum recorded the highest diameter of inhibition zones for all range of concentrations introduced followed by E. carotovorum subsp. Carotovorum and X. gardneri. For the minimum inhbitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), only the ethyl acetate extract was subjected to the assay as only ethyl acetate extract exhibited antibacterial activity. The minimum concentration of ethyl acetate extract that was able to inhibit plant pathogenic bacteria was recorded at a concentration of 3.12 mg/ml which inhibited R. solancearum and E. carotovorum subsp. Carotovorum, followed by X. gardneri at concentration 6.25 mg/ml. For the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), the results showed that at the concentration of 12.5 mg/ml, the extract was still capable of killing the pathogenic bacteria, R. solanacearum, and P. caratovora sub.sp. caratovora while for the bacteria X. gardneri, the concentration that was able to kill the bacteria was 25 mg/ml. The qualitative estimation of phytochemical constituents within P. granatum L. ethyl acetate peel extracts had revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, phenols alkaloid, Saponins, and terpenoids. This study has demonstrated that Ethyl Acetate peel extracts of P. granatum has significant antibacterial activity against pathogenic plant bacterial, and it could be of high agricultural value.

Punica granatum果实皮甲醇提取物化学成分的分离和标准化(英文)

AIM:The present study was undertaken to isolate and standardize the various active phytochemical constituents present in the fruit rinds of Punica granatum.METHODS:Fruit rinds of Punica granatum were dried and extracted with methanol in a static extractor;the percentage yield of the methanolic extract (MEPG) was found to be 26%;the methanolic extract was partitioned using n-butanol,ethyl acetate and water;the percentage yield of the fractions were found to be 17.16%,26.88% and 47.72% respectively.HPLC was carried out for all the fractions and the markers corresponding to the major peaks in HPLC were isolated using column chromatography.The isolated markers were characterized using UV,IR,Mass and NMR spectroscopy.RESULTS & CONCLUSION:Totally four compounds were isolated and identified as punicalin,punicalagin,gallic acid and ellagic acid based on UV,IR,Mass and NMR data,they were standardized by HPLC.

石榴蔗糖代谢相关酶SPS和INV基因家族鉴定与表达分析

蔗糖磷酸合成酶(SPS)和蔗糖转化酶(INV)是蔗糖代谢的关键调控酶,在植物生长发育过程中起重要作用。本研究利用生物信息学和荧光定量PCR等分子手段,鉴定石榴SPS和INV基因家族成员,分析其理化性质、保守结构域、保守基序、二级结构、亚细胞定位、系统进化关系和表达模式。结果表明,从石榴基因组中鉴定出4个SPS基因和11个INV基因,其编码蛋白均为不稳定蛋白,具有典型的保守结构域,家族成员间特征motif数量和种类大致相同,蛋白结构高度保守;这些蛋白不均匀地分布在染色体上,均定位于叶绿体中,二级结构主要由α-螺旋和无规则卷曲组成。石榴SPS和INV基因家族成员间存在不同程度的亲缘关系,与巨桉同源性较高;不同SPS和INV基因在石榴果实不同发育时期的表达模式存在差异,PgINV3在9月15日(果实增大期)表达水平最高,显著高于其他时期。本研究结果对解析石榴果实中蔗糖代谢的分子机理具有重要意义。

新疆石榴(Punica L.)资源及其开发利用

石榴作为新疆一种绿色食品资源,受到国内外市场广泛关注,使得新疆近几年石榴的种植面积迅速扩大。本文对新疆石榴生物学特性、种类、品种和开发利用价值等方面进行了详细论述,阐明了新疆大力发展石榴产业的优势,并在分析现状和存在问题的基础上,提出了新疆发展石榴产业的几点建议。

响应面法优化甜石榴皮生物碱提取工艺及其抗氧化活性评价

以甜石榴皮为原料,采用超声波辅助法提取生物碱。以生物碱得率为指标,在单因素试验的基础上,通过响应面法优化甜石榴皮生物碱的提取工艺,并评价其抗氧化活性。结果表明:最佳提取工艺为乙醇体积分数32%、超声时间51 min、超声温度39℃、料液比1∶17(g/mL),在此条件下生物碱得率为2.35%。抗氧化试验表明,在一定质量浓度范围内,甜石榴皮生物碱对DPPH自由基和羟基自由基的清除率最高分别为82.32%、64.36%,IC50分别为0.368、0.590 mg/mL,具有较好的抗氧化活性。

基于网络药理学预测石榴皮抗甲型流感机制及初步药效学验证

目的:基于网络药理学预测石榴皮抗甲型流感的潜在有效靶点及作用机制,并通过动物实验进行验证。方法:通过TCMSP技术平台检索石榴皮的有效成分,筛选其作用的靶标。甲型流感的靶标通过TTD、DRUGBANK等数据库筛选。利用Cytoscape绘制石榴皮抗甲型流感网络图,通过STRING数据库构建蛋白互作网络,并对关键靶标的生物功能进行注释与通路分析。甲型流感病毒感染小鼠,使用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)、蛋白质印迹法(Western blot)检测白细胞介素17(interleukin 17,IL-17)通路中关键蛋白、炎症因子的表达,观测小鼠体质量、肺指数变化。结果:石榴皮中有7个潜在有效成分抗流感病毒、96个有效靶点,其中RELA、MAPK1、JUN、HIF1A、ESR1、NFKBIA、TP53可能为核心靶点,其作用机制可能与IL-17信号通路、化学致癌-受体激活、磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶等通路有关。初步的动物实验显示,石榴皮提取物参与调控IL-17通路,抑制炎症因子白细胞介素6(interleukin 6,IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、白细胞介素1β(interleukin 1β,IL-1β)、TRAF6(TNF receptor associated factor 6)及核因子κB(nuclear factor kappa-B,NF-κB)p65蛋白表达(P<0.05)。结论:通过预测得出石榴皮中所含的6个成分与不同靶点、通路交互作用,抑制多个炎症因子相关蛋白的表达,进而防治甲型流感。

复合植物美白面膜的制备研究

本研究分别从三百草中提取黄酮,从石榴中提取有机酸和多酚,从苦参根中提取苦参碱,黄酮和多酚具有抑制酪氨酸酶活性和抗氧化的功效,有机酸具有温和去角质和亮肤的作用,苦参碱具有抗炎的作用,在研究中将其制备为复合植物美白面膜,并进行了配方设计和功效评价。制成的植物复合美白面膜对酪氨酸酶活性的抑制率为87.56%,说明植物复合美白面膜对皮肤黑色素有一定的抑制效果,具有一定美白作用。

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae uses XopL effector to suppress pomegranate immunity

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae （Xap） causing bacterial blight is an important pathogen that incurs significant losses to the exportability of pomegranate. Xap uses the Xop TTSS-effector, via the type three secretion system, to suppress pomegranate immunity. Here, we investigate the role of XopL during blight pathogenesis. We observed that XopL is essential for its in planta growth and full virulence. Leaves inoculated with Xap AxopL produced restricted water-soaked lesions compared to those inoculated with wild-type Xap. XopL supports Xap for its sustained multiplication in pomegranate by suppress- ing the plant cell death （PCD） event. We further demon- strated that XopL suppresses immune responses, such as callose deposition and production of reactive oxygen species （ROS）. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that immune responsive genes were upregulated when challenged with Xap AxopL, whereas upregulation of such genes was compromised in the complemented strain containing the xopL gene. The transiently expressed XopL：：EYFP fusion protein was local- ized to the plasma membrane, indicating the possible site of its action. Altogether, this study highlights that XopL is an important TTSS-effector of Xap that suppresses plant immune responses, including PCD, presumably to support the multiplication of Xap for a sufficient time-period during blight disease development.

不同保干促活处理对栾树和石榴移栽苗生长的影响

为加强造林质量管理,提高移栽苗的成活率和生长量,以中国常见绿化树种栾树(Koelreuteria paniculata)和经济林石榴(Punica granatum)为试验对象,采用一系列保干促活措施探索移栽后迟发苗木的挽救策略。在制定苗干发芽成活分级标准的基础上,对各处理组苗木栽后不同时期的发芽成活率、苗干成活指数、生长量、含水率及根系质量进行了调查。结果表明,处理L3和S3发芽成活率和苗干成活指数比对照组(L1和S1)分别提高了19.30、52.01个百分点和11.90、13.50个百分点,缓苗期也比L1和S1分别缩短了60和75 d。年生长量方面,L3和S3试验后平均株高和地(米)径均高于其他处理,比试验前分别增长了45.33%、57.84%和38.14%、81.82%。L3和S3的保水措施可同时有效提高苗干含水率,促进根系成活和新生根的萌发。该移栽苗保干促活挽救措施,为提升大面积生态林和经济林造林成活率及质量提供了技术参考。

石榴MAPK家族基因鉴定及其响应冷胁迫的表达分析

【目的】评价不同石榴种质资源籽粒硬度及抗寒性,筛选可能参与调控石榴抗寒性的MAPK家族基因。【方法】以31份石榴种质资源为试材,进行抗寒性及籽粒硬度评价;基于全基因组筛选石榴MAPK家族基因,对其进行进化、基因结构和蛋白理化性质分析,同时利用实时荧光定量PCR(real-time quantitative PCR,qRT-PCR)分析冷胁迫对石榴MAPK家族基因表达模式的影响。【结果】31个石榴品种籽粒硬度及半致死温度测定结果表明,峄城粉红牡丹、淮北六棱甜和鲁白榴2号等硬籽石榴抗寒性较强,华紫、以3和玛丽斯等软籽石榴抗寒性较弱。基于石榴全基因组鉴定出17个MAPK家族基因,广泛分布于8条染色体上;MAPK家族所有成员主要分为3个亚类,其中,A和B亚类成员主要包含PKc_MAPKK_plant_like和PTZ00024结构域,C亚类主要包含PLN00034结构域,所有成员均具有S_TKc结构域;各成员氨基酸残基数量分布在314~860 aa,外显子数目1~18个,蛋白分子质量为34910.05~97965.26 u,等电点4.94~9.35;PgMKK2、PgMPK6、PgMPK9、PgMPK16和PgMPK13在峄城粉红牡丹响应冷胁迫过程中表现为显著上调,PgMKK8、PgMPK1-1和PgMKK4在玛丽斯响应冷胁迫过程中表现为显著上调;PgMKK2、PgMPK6、PgMPK9、PgMPK16和PgMPK13在峄城粉红牡丹响应冷胁迫过程中的表达量显著高于玛丽斯,PgMKK8和PgMPK1-1在玛丽斯响应冷胁迫过程中的表达量显著性高于峄城粉红牡丹;PgMKK3在峄城粉红牡丹不同时间均未检测到表达,在玛丽斯中表现为先升高后降低的趋势;PgMPK12-2在玛丽斯不同时间均未检测到表达,在峄城粉红牡丹中表现为逐渐升高的趋势。【结论】石榴MAPK家族基因响应冷胁迫信号,其中,PgMKK2、PgMPK6、PgMPK12-2和PgMPK9可能参与正调控石榴的抗寒性。

基于SSR标记的石榴品种遗传多样性分析和指纹图谱构建

为明确国内主产区不同主栽石榴品种的遗传多样性,构建DNA指纹图谱,本研究以30个石榴品种为试材,利用琼脂糖凝胶电泳和毛细管电泳筛选多态性引物,建立了石榴品种SSR分子标记鉴定体系,然后利用样品信息与指纹代码配置组合的串联代码,构建了不同石榴品种的DNA指纹图谱。结果表明,从36对引物中筛选出扩增产物条带清晰稳定、多态性高的引物10对,共检测出48个等位基因,平均为4.8个,观察杂合度和期望杂合度平均分别为0.50和0.60,Shannon’s指数和Nei’s多样性指数平均分别为1.11和0.59,多态信息含量在0.33~0.72之间,平均为0.53。聚类分析发现,30个品种被分为3组,A组包括16个品种,B组包括8个品种,C组包括6个品种。基于样品、引物和等位基因信息,构建了30个品种的特异指纹代码及指纹图谱二维码。本研究结果可为石榴种质资源分子鉴定及开发利用提供理论依据。