Knocking-Out OsPDR7 Triggers Up-Regulation of OsZIP9 Expression and Enhances Zinc Accumulation in Rice

Zinc(Zn) is an essential trace mineral that is required for plant growth and development. A number of protein transporters, which are involved in Zn uptake, translocation and distribution, are finely regulated to maintain Zn homeostasis in plant. In this study, we functionally characterized an ATP-binding cassette(ABC) transporter gene, OsPDR7, which is involved in Zn homeostasis. Os PDR7 encodes a plasma membrane-localized protein that is expressed mainly in the exodermis and xylem in the rice root.ospdr7 mutants resulted in higher Zn accumulation compared with the wild type. Heterogeneous expression of OsPDR7 in a yeast mutant rescued the Zn-deficiency phenotype, implying transport activity of OsPDR7 to Zn in yeast. However, no ZIP genes except for OsZIP9 showed change in expression profile in the ospdr7 mutants, which suggested that OsPDR7 maintains cellular Zn homeostasis through regulating Os ZIP9 expression. RNA-Seq analysis further revealed a set of differentially expressed genes between the wild type and ospdr7 mutants that allowed us to propose a possible OsPDR7-associated signaling network involving transporters, hormone responsive genes, and transcription factors. Our results revealed a novel transporter involved in the regulation of Zn homeostasis and will pave the way toward a better understanding of the fine-tuning of gene expression in the network of transporter genes.

Fast determination of multi-mycotoxins in corn by dispersive solid-phase extraction coupled with ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

A fast analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 9 mycotoxins, including alfatoxins （B1, B2, G1, and G2）, fumonisins （B1, B2 and B3）, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol in corn using dispersive solid-phase extraction method and ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem quadrupole time-of-lfight mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） was developed and validated. Samples were extracted with acetonitrile-water （84：16, v：v, containing 1% acetic acid） using ultrasonic extraction. The extracts were puriifed with a dispersive SPE method using C18 as a cleaning agent. The ifnal clear extracts were dried by nitrogen blowing and subsequently redissolved in methanol-water （5：5, v：v）. The samples were then analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS with 0.1% formic acid in ammonium acetate-methanol as mobile phase. The mean recoveries were ranged from 68.0 to 120.0%, and the relative standard deviation （RSD） ranged from 0.18 to 6.29%. Limits of detections ranged from 0.05 to 50 μg kg？1, and limits of quantiifcation ranged from 0.1 to 200 μg kg？1, which were below the legal limits set by the European Union for the legislated mycotoxins. The developed method was applied to 130 corn samples. Among the mycotoxins studied, alfatoxins B1 and fumonisins B1, B2 and B3 were the most predominant mycotoxins, and their concentrations were 0–593.12, 0–2.01×104, 0–6.94×103 and 0–3.05×103 μg kg–1, respectively.

Detection and Analysis on StaphylococcalEnterotoxins in Raw Cow Milk from DifferentRegions of Jinan, China

[Objective] This study was conducted to investigate the pollution caused by staphylococcal enterotoxins(SE) in raw milk and the safety of dairy products in Jinan, and to provide a scientific basis for food safety risk analysis. [Method] A total of 130 raw milk samples were collected from different regions of Jinan, and detected for Staphylococcus aureus by referring to GB4789.10-2010. Then, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect whether the S.aureus strains produced enterotoxins, and the enterotoxin type was identified using colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic test strips. [Result] Fiftyseven of the raw milk samples were polluted by S.aureus, so the detection rate of S.aureus was 43.85%; and 11 of the strains produced enterotoxins. Among the 11 enterotoxin-producing strains, seven produced SEB, only one produced SEC, and the SE type of other three strains was not identified. [Conclusion] Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic test strips can be used in combination to rapidly detect staphylococcal enterotoxins and identify enterotoxin type, although there are some limitations. SEB is the main type of staphylococcal enterotoxin causing pollution in milk of Shandong Province.

Analysis of 13 kinds of steroid hormones in raw milk using modified QuEChERS method combined with UPLC-QTOF-MS

Thirteen kinds of steroid hormones in raw milk（cow, goat and buffalo milk） were analyzed with ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-QTOF-MS） after extraction and cleanup with the modified Qu ECh ERS method. These steroid hormones included 17β-estradiol, estriol, estrone, diethylstilbestrol, progesterone, melengestrol acetate, megestrol acetate, chlormadinone acetate, 19-nortestosterone, metandienone, boldenone, epitestosterone, and testosterone. The limits of detection for the raw milk basing on 3 times the signal to noise ratios（S/N=3） was in range of 0.07-0.51 μg kg^–1, and the limits of quantification（basing on S/N=10 method） covered the ranges from 0.23 to 1.7 μg kg^–1. With matrix external standard method, the substances presented recoveries over the range 74.2–99.7%. Qualitative analysis was also done in the mass/mass spectrum（MS/MS） mode and each debris structure of 13 kinds of steroid hormones was achieved. The methodology was then applied in real raw milk samples which were collected in several areas of China and the progesterone was detected with high level.

Variability of Pesticide Residues in Vegetables from the Marketplaces in Jinan City

In order to provide technological support for risk estimation of pesticide residues taken from vegetables, the residues of pesticide in vegetables in Jinan City, China, were investigated. Moreover, the variability of pesticide residues in vegetables was explored, and the variability factor was calculated. The level of pesticide residue was studied by statistical method. The variability factor was calculated using the Harrell-Davis method in accordance with principles recommended by the JMPR. In addition, the procedure of evaluation was validated according to the principles laid down by the JMPR （Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues）. The detection rate of pesticide residues in all marketplace samples was less than 20% in Jinan City. The unqualified rate of vegetables was low （0.6%）. The chlorothalonil was found as the pesticide with the highest rate of detection. The vegetables with the highest rate of pesticide residues detected were leafy vegetables. The relationship between variability factor and mean value of concentrations of contaminations was expressed by the formula, v=4.9×Cmean. The pesticide residues in vegetables from Jinan City is low. The evaluated variability factor is larger than that the value recommended by the JMPR, however, less than the default value used for acute intake assessment of pesticide residues in UK in most cases.

Investigation of non-thermal atmospheric plasma for the degradation of avermectin solution

Increasing concern with regard to food safety in the presence of pesticide residues(PRs) on the surface of agricultural products has resulted in the rapid development of practical degrading technologies for corresponding PRs. In this paper, an unconventional method of degrading pesticides, non-thermal atmospheric plasma(NTAP), was proposed to degrade the avermectin(AVM) in aqueous solution. Optical emission spectroscopy shows that NTAP, consisting of filamentary streamers, contains a variety of reactive oxygen species(ROS) that may interact with AVM. The high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)-MS/MS results indicate that the efficiency of AVM degradation seriously depends on multiple operation parameters of the NTAP,including the applied voltage, treatment time and gas flow rate. The maximum degradation rate of AVM was observed to be 97.47% after 240 s exposure under NTAP with an applied voltage of 18 kV and gas flow rate of 1 l min-1. Molecular dynamics simulation based on a reactive force field for the interaction between O(ground state atomic oxygen) and AVM was performed to analyze the underpinning mechanisms. The simulation result shows the possible pathways of the NTAPgenerated O degrading AVM by destroying the glycosyl group or fracturing the ester group.

Utilizing modified ubi1 introns to enhance exogenous gene expression in maize(Zea mays L.) and rice(Oryza sativa L.)

supported by the National Natural Science Fund of China （30970231）;the Genetically Modified Organisms Breeding Major Project of China （2014ZX08003001）

Study on Differences in Procyanidine Content Between Muscat Hamburg Grape From Different Producing Areas

[Objectives] This study was conducted to analyze the differences in procyanidine content in grapes caused by different producing areas. [Methods]With Muscat Hamburg grape from different producing areas as an experimental material,procyanidine content was determined by n-butanol-hydrochloric acid colorimetry. [Results] The procyanidins contents in different parts of the same variety ranked as grape seed > grape skin > grape flesh. The procyanidins contents in grapes from different producing areas were in order of Changli County,Hebei Province > Dazeshan Town,Shandong Province > Hangu District,Tianjin City.[Conclusions]The procyanidins contents in Muscat Hamburg grapes from different producing areas differ to a certain degree.