Plants regenerated from mesophyll protoplasts of white mulberry

Morus alba(white mulberry) mesophyll protoplasts were isolated from leaves of 30-45 day old sterile shoots,with protoplast yields of 2.5 x 107 g-1/F.W. after purification. The protoplasts were cultured in a modified K8P liquid medium containing 0.2 mg/L 2,4-D(2,4- Dichlorophe-noxy acetic acid), 1 mg/L NAA(Naphthyl acetic acid) and 0.5 mg/L BA(6-benzylaminopurine). A low plating density (5 x 104/ml) proved to be favourable to the division of protoplast-derived cells. The first divisioll occurred 4 days after culture, and the division frequency reached 24% at 10 days. A number of cell colonies and microcalli formed in 6 weeks. The microcalli were transferred onto MSB medium with 0.5 mg/L NAA and 0.5 mg/L BA for further proliferation. Shoot formation was initiated when the calli of 3-4 mm in size were transferred onto MSB differentiation medium with 0.1 mg/L NAA and 1 mg/L BA. The frequency of shoot formation was 35%. The shoots of 4-5 cm in height were excised from the callus and rooted on half strength MS medium with 0.5 mg/L IBA and 0.1 mg/L BA. After transplantation into pots, the regenerated plants grew vigorously in the phytotron.

White Mulberry （Morus alba） Foliage as a Feeding Supplement for Growing Calves

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feed consumption and weight gain in calves fed with a nutritional block made of white mulberry （Morus alba） for a 90-day-period, involving dry season months （March-May） in Tuxpan, Veracruz, Mexico. A total of 45 growing Zebu x Swiss calves with an average weight of 200 kg were assigned randomly in three groups of 15 animals, and the following treatments of nutritional block were offered to each group： grazing animals （To）, grazing animals plus nutritious block with white mulberry （T1）, and grazing animals plus nutritious block without white mulberry （T2）. A consumption of 0.545 kg/d from block in treatment T1 was observed, significantly improving calves growing and showing a weight gain of 0.933 kg/d. Use of white mulberry in nutritional blocks is a good alternative for growing calves, as a feeding strategy given the seasonality of pasture production in the tropics.

Development of Morus alba Reinforced Poly-Lactic Acid with Elevated Mechanical and Thermal Properties

This research investigates the mechanical and thermal properties of Morus alba combined with polylactic acid in comparison with other natural fibers. The study uses three different fiber and PLA compositions - 20%, 30%, and 40% respectively - to produce composite materials. In addition, another composite with the same fiber volume is treated with a 4% NaOH solution to improve mechanical properties. The composites are processed by twin-screw extrusion, granulation, and injection molding. Tensile strength measurements of raw fibers and NaOH-treated fibers were carried out using a single-fiber tensile test with a gauge length of 40 mm. It was observed that the NaOH surface treatment increases the resistance against tensile loading and exhibited improved properties for raw fiber strands. The diameter of the fibers was measured using optical microscopy. During this research, flexural tests, impact tests, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and heat deflection temperature measurements (HDT) were conducted to evaluate the mechanical and thermal properties of the developed composite samples. The results indicate that the mechanical properties of NaOH-treated Morus alba-reinforced polylactic acid outperform both virgin PLA samples and untreated Morus alba samples.

Clinical experience of treating diabetes and its complications with mulberry plants by Chinese medicine master Lv Ren-he

Lv Renhe,a master of Chinese medicine,was familiar with the sources of medicinal materials,the four nature and five flavors,and the characteristics of ascending,descending,floating and sinking.The study of medicine in clinical practice reflects the principle of“using medicine as a soldier”.In the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its complications,Professor Lv made good use of mulberry leaves,mulberry branches,mulberry white bark,mulberry and mulberry parasitism,and gave full play to the modern pharmacological effects of mulberry drugs such as hypoglycemic,hypotensive and lipidemic in the combined use,and achieved satisfactory results.