Acid In Grains Research Articles

Effects of nano-MoO3 on growth, quality and toxicity of soybean.

Metal nanoparticles are widely used in agricultural production. As a new type of molybdenum fertilizer, MoO3NPs have the properties of nanomaterials and the characteristics of molybdenum nutrition. Previous studies have focused on their role in promoting crop growth. However, it is unknown whether excessive MoO3NPs will affect crop quality and nutritional value. In this study, the effects of different concentrations of MoO3NPs (0, 0.15, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 10, 50, 100 mg kg-1) on the growth and quality of soybean were investigated by pot experiments to analyze the plant effects caused by MoO3NPs. The results showed that the effects of MoO3NPs treatment on plant biomass and nodule number were promoted at low concentrations (0.15-5 mg kg-1) and inhibited at high concentrations (10-100 mg kg-1). According to the logistic distribution model, it was predicted that MoO3NPs would have the strongest toxic effect on soybean flowering stage. The contents of MoO3NPs which reduced the yield of soybean by 10% and 20% were 12.38 and 30.81 mg kg-1. NP0.15 could significantly improve the total amount of amino acids in grains, while NP100 reduced the total amount of amino acids in grains, both of them significantly increasing the contents of linolenic acid and linoleic acid in soybean seeds. A change of MoO3NPs concentration had no negative effect on the nutritional value of soybean grains. The research could lead to a better understanding of the potential impact of nutritional changes caused by MoO3NPs on human health. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Alternate wetting and moderate drying irrigation improves rice cooking and eating quality by optimizing lipid and fatty acid synthesis in grains

Alternate wetting and drying irrigation (AWD) plays crucial roles in regulating the cooking and eating quality of rice (Oryza sativa L.). However, it remains unclear about how AWD influences rice cooking and eating quality. Lipid and free fatty acids in grains are positively related with cooking and eating quality of rice. In this study, Yangdao 6 (YD6, a conventional taste indica inbred) and Nanjing 9108 (NJ9108, a superior taste japonica inbred) were planted in the field with conventional irrigation (CI), alternate wetting and moderate drying irrigation (AWMD), and alternate wetting and severe drying irrigation (AWSD) from 10 days after transplanting to maturity. The relationships between the biosynthesis of lipid and free fatty acids in grains and cooking and eating quality of rice were investigated. Compared with CI treatment, the AWMD significantly increased contents of lipid, total free fatty acids (TFFAs), free unsaturated fatty acids (FUFAs), linoleic acid, and oleic acid in milled rice by promoting activities of the enzymes associated with lipid synthesis, while AWSD regime exerted the opposite effect. Correlation analysis showed that higher contents of lipid, TFFAs, FUFAs, linoleic acid, and oleic acid were more beneficial to improvement in rice cooking and eating quality. These results demonstrated that AWMD regime could improve cooking and eating quality of milled rice by optimizing lipid and fatty acid synthesis in rice grains.

Grain Chalkiness Is Decreased by Balancing the Synthesis of Protein and Starch in Hybrid Indica Rice Grains under Nitrogen Fertilization.

The important reason for the commercial value of hybrid rice suffering is due to excessive chalkiness, and the biosynthesis of starch and proteins is critical for regulating chalkiness; however, it is currently unclear how the application of N fertilizer affects grains to reduce their chalkiness and improve their quality. The 2019, 2020, and 2021 trials were conducted in a split-plot design, with high and low chalky varieties as the main plot and N fertilizer rate as the split-plot. The effects of fertilization with 75, 150, and 225 kg N ha-1 on the dynamic synthesis of starch, protein, and endogenous hormones and on the amino acid of hybrid indica rice kernels with different degrees of chalkiness were investigated. Grain physiological activity was higher in low-chalky varieties than in high-chalky varieties, and these physiological parameters were strongly associated with chalkiness formation. Higher N fertilization (150 and 225 kg N ha-1) significantly reduced the proportion of chalky grains (8.93-28.02%) and chalkiness (8.61-33.99%) compared with 75 kg N ha-1. Increased N fertilization decreased the activities of granule-bound starch synthase and starch-debranching enzyme, but significantly increased adenosine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase, soluble starch synthase, and starch-branching enzyme activities, synergistically improving glutamate synthetase and glutamine synthetase enzyme activities, which tended to support the synthesis of amylopectin, α-ketoglutarate, and 3-phosphoglyceric acid-derived amino acids in the endosperm cells of the grains; this favored starch and protein accumulation in the grains at 6-30 days after anthesis. Additionally, N application promoted the synthesis of endogenous hormones 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid, gibberellins, and abscisic acid in grains. Hence, N fertilization reduced the rice chalkiness in hybrid indica rice varieties by balancing grain protein and starch composition and enhancing some endogenous hormone synthesis.

Assessment of genetically modified maize DP23211 for food and feed uses, under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (application EFSA-GMO-NL-2019-163).

Genetically modified maize DP23211 was developed to confer control of certain coleopteran pests and tolerance to glufosinate-containing herbicide. These properties were achieved by introducing the pmi, mo-pat, ipd072Aa and DvSSJ1 expression cassettes. The molecular characterisation data and bioinformatic analyses do not identify issues requiring food/feed safety assessment. None of the identified differences in the agronomic/phenotypic and compositional characteristics tested between maize DP23211 and its conventional counterpart needs further assessment, except for those in levels of histidine, phenylalanine, magnesium, phosphorus and folic acid in grain, which do not raise safety and nutritional concerns. The GMO Panel does not identify safety concerns regarding the toxicity and allergenicity of the IPD072Aa, PAT and PMI proteins and the DvSSJ1 dsRNA and derived siRNAs newly expressed in maize DP23211, and finds no evidence that the genetic modification impacts the overall safety of maize DP23211. In the context of this application, the consumption of food and feed from maize DP23211 does not represent a nutritional concern in humans and animals. Therefore, no post-market monitoring of food/feed is considered necessary. In the case of accidental release of viable maize DP23211 grains into the environment, this would not raise environmental safety concerns. The post-market environmental monitoring plan and reporting intervals are in line with the intended uses of maize DP23211. The GMO Panel concludes that maize DP23211 is as safe as its conventional counterpart and the tested non-GM reference varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment.

Exploring the synergistic effect of aggregation and hydrogen bonding: a fluorescent probe for dual sensing of phytic acid and uric acid.

We synthesized an unoxidized bis-indolyl methane (BIM) derivative (probe 1) comprising of tetraphenylethylene (TPE) as the signalling moiety. The amphiphilic probe could form self-assembled nanoscopic aggregates in the aqueous medium. The emission of 1 in non-polar solvents originates from the LE state, while in polar solvents, it is dominated by TICT. Moreover, probe 1 exhibited a 'turn-on' fluorescence response for both uric acid (with a blue shift in emission maxima) and phytic acid (with a red shift in emission maxima). Therefore, the present system provides an exceptional opportunity to distinguish between phytic acid and uric acid by considering two different emission channels. Mechanistic investigations revealed that both H-bonding and electrostatic interactions between the probe and analytes could effectively cause restricted intramolecular rotations, leading to a turn-on response. Additionally, in the case of phytic acid, larger aggregates were observed with prominent CT characteristics. The change in the extent of charge transfer interaction in the formed adducts resulted in distinct fluorescence responses with phytic acid and uric acid. Furthermore, we explored the applicability of the present system in the screening of real-life samples, such as uric acid in urine samples and phytic acid in grains. The LOD for phytic acid and uric acid was found to be ∼5.48 nM and 10.4 nM, respectively. The quantitative nature of the system was confirmed, showing promising results in terms of recovery values (between 95.6% and 104.2%) and detection limits. Additionally, we also employed handy paper strips for the on-site monitoring of phytic acid and uric acid, thereby eliminating the need for complex instrumentation or trained technicians.

Effects of elevated ozone on physiology, growth, yield and grain quality of rice (Oryza sativa L.): An ozone gradient experiment

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) as the staple food is widely grown, but the current high tropospheric ozone (O3) pollution has seriously threatened the rice production. We performed an experiment on four rice cultivars widely grown in the Yangtze River Delta region of China, which were exposed to five O3 treatments under open top chambers. The effects of O3 on leaf physiology, growth, yield and grain quality of rice were comprehensively explored, and the results showed that (i) elevated O3 reduced the light-saturated rate of CO2 assimilation (Asat) and stomatal conductance (gs), and the O3-induced decrease in Asat was mainly attributed to stomatal limitation under low O3 treatment whereas stomatal and biochemical co-limitation under high O3 treatment; (ii) elevated O3 did not affected the harvest index since the inhibition of shoot biomass and yield was the same extent, which indicated that O3 does not alter the remobilization of carbon assimilates from vegetative organs to grains; (iii) only ambient air plus 60 ppb O3 treatment (NF60) significantly reduced the yield of rice, which was caused by the combined reduction of individual grain weight, grain number, and panicle number; (iv) elevated O3 did not significantly affect the concentration of mineral nutrients in grains, while the effect of O3 on the concentration of amino acids was consistent with biphasic O3-response profile. NF60 had a greater reduction in the concentration of essential amino acids than non-essential amino acids; (v) NF60 significantly reduced the accumulation of mineral nutrients and amino acid in grain due to a decrease in grain yield. These results are conducive to a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of O3 on rice, and also indicated that the risk assessment of O3 on crops would need to consider both crop yield and grain quality.

Amino acid metabolism response to post-anthesis drought stress during critical periods of elite wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) endosperm development

Drought is an important environmental factor leading to wheat yield loss in arid areas. The accumulation of amino acids during the filling stage is closely related to wheat drought resistance and yield, but the mechanism is still unclear. In this study, winter wheat plants (cultivars Xindong 18 (XD18) and Xindong 22 (XD22)) were subjected to post-anthesis drought treatment (DT) and sufficient water treatment (WT), and the measurement of free amino acid and carbohydrates content and the proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of wheat grains were conducted 7 and 14 days after anthesis (DAA). Finally, the improvement effect of application of exogenous glutamate (Glu) on the drought resistance of wheat was validated by hydroponic and field experiments. The results showed that sucrose and soluble sugar contents of XD22 grains were higher than those of XD18 grains under DT. The grain weight and filling rate of both wheat cultivars increased in the early stage of DT but reduced in the late stage. The content of most free amino acids in grains reduced under DT, but the Glu content increased. Regression analysis of grain weight and free amino acid content found that Glu was involved in the responses of wheat to DT and WT. The transcriptomic analysis results showed that XD18-DT7/WT7 and XD22-DT7/WT7 had 161 and 350 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to amino acid metabolism, respectively, and XD18-DT14/WT14 and XD22-DT14/WT14 had 380 and 326 DEGs related to amino acid metabolism, respectively. Proteomic analysis results showed that XD18-DT7/WT7 and XD22-DT7/WT7 had 163 and 117 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs） related to amino acid metabolism, respectively, and XD18-DT14/WT14 and XD22-DT14/WT14 had 29 and 109 DEPs related to amino acid metabolism, respectively. Besides, the expression level of most DEPs involved in Glu metabolism (> 95 %) was significantly up-regulated at the early stage of DT. It should be noted that the application of different concentrations of exogenous Glu at seedling stage, heading stage, and flowering stage significantly reduced wheat root/shoot ratio and relative conductivity (RC) under DT, and increased the SPAD value, grain weight, and filling rate. The free amino acids and carbohydrates in wheat grains changed significantly under DT, and a large number of DEPs involved in the Glu metabolism pathway were up-regulated to cope with drought stress. Finally, exogenous Glu application can improve the drought resistance of drought-stressed wheat at seedling and filling stages and increase grain weight.

Formation of Histamine, phenylethylamine and γ-Aminobutyric acid during sprouting and fermenting of selected wholegrains

Sprouting and fermentation are known to cause hydrolysis of proteins into amino acids in grains, which in turn can be converted into some neuroactive compounds by some specific enzymes.One of these compounds is γ-aminobutyric acid, which is directly related to stress management. This study invesitgatesthe effects of sprouting and fermentation processes performed under different conditions on the formation of γ-aminobutyric acid.. Concomitant phenylethylamine and histamine formations were also investigated from the food safety point of view. The combined application of sprouting and fermentation increased the concentrations of histamine and phenylethylamine to a maximum of 44 ± 5 ​​ and 3.9 ± 0.002 mg/kg, respectively. Nevertheless, these values ​​did not reach the level that would cause undesirable effects. γ-Aminobutyric acid concentrations were found to reach levels comparable to γ-Aminobutyric acid -rich foods (maximum 674 ± 31 mg/kg) both with separate and combined application of sprouting and fermentation.

Yield and amino acid composition of grain varieties of spring barley, depending on the use of biological products

Relevance and methodology. Grain quality of crops is largely determined by the content and composition of proteins. The content of protein and amino acids in grain varies due to specific and varietal characteristics of the crop. The study of the effect of organo-mineral biological preparations on the yield and amino acid composition of grain of spring barley varieties proves to be relevant. The research was carried out in 2020–2021 in the conditions of experimental fields of the Bryansk State Agrarian University on gray forest medium loamy soil. The research object is spring barley varieties Raushan, Vladimir, Yaromir. The agricultural technique of cultivating spring barley is generally accepted for the region. There were the variants with biological preparations Geotone, Gumistim, Bioagro-PP, Bioagrogum-B, control (without treatment). The total nitrogen content in the grain was valued by the indophenol method and amino acids were assessed by capillary electrophoresis with the instrument "Kapel 105".Results. According to the results obtained, the highest grain yield of 6.82 t/ha and 7.35 t/ha of the barley varieties Vladimir and Yaromir was in the variants with Bioagro-PP, and the yield of 6.82 t/ha of the variety Raushan was in the variant with Gumistim. The application of biological preparations in barley cultivation contributed to an increase in the content of nitrogen in barley grain. It is established that the application of biological preparations contributed to an increase in the content of amino acids in the grain, including essential ones. Assessing the varietal characteristics of barley, it should be noted that the largest number of amino acids was in the grain of the variety Raushan, and the variety Yaromir had the smallest number. In the grain of Raushan the highest content of amino acids of 15.50 and 15.74 g/100 g of dry matter was recorded in the variants with Geotone and Bioagrogum-B.

Assessment of genetically modified Maize MON 87429 for food and feed uses, under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 (application EFSA-GMO-NL-2019-161).

Maize MON 87429 was developed to confer tolerance to dicamba, glufosinate, quizalofop and 2,4-D herbicides. The molecular characterisation data and bioinformatic analyses do not identify issues requiring food/feed safety assessment. None of the identified differences in the agronomic/phenotypic and compositional characteristics tested between maize MON 87429 and its conventional counterpart needs further assessment, except for the levels of phytic acid in grains, which do not raise nutritional and safety concerns. The GMO Paneldoes not identify safety concerns regarding the toxicity and allergenicity of the DMO, PAT, FT_T and CP4 EPSPS proteins as expressed in maize MON 87429. The GMO Panelfinds no evidence that the genetic modification impacts the overall safety of maize MON 87429. In the context of this application, the consumption of food and feed from maize MON 87429 does not represent a nutritional concern in humans and animals. The GMO Panelconcludes that maize MON 87429 is as safe as the conventional counterpart and non-GM maize reference varieties tested, and no post-market monitoring of food/feed is considered necessary. In the case of accidental release of viable maize MON 87429 grains into the environment, this would not raise environmental safety concerns. The post-market environmental monitoring plan and reporting intervals are in line with the intended uses of maize MON 87429. The GMO Panelconcludes that maize MON 87429, as described in this application, is as safe as its conventional counterpart and the tested non-GM maize reference varieties with respect to potential effects on human and animal health and the environment.

BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF MILLET GRAIN AND ITS CHANGES DURING STORAGE

The total fat content, the fatty acid composition of oil (11 fatty acids), and the total carotenoid content in grain of 8 millet varieties harvested in 2020–2021 have been investigated. The mean value of the total fat content in millet grain was 4.4±0.12%, and the varieties did not differ significantly in this parameter. The total carotenoid content averaged 6.7±0.94 mg/kg. The oil from modern millet varieties was notable for high contents of linoleic (62.4±1.32%) and oleic acids (25.1±1.67%), indicating their high nutritional value. The fatty acids in the millet grain were ranked in order of descending contents as follows: С18:2 > С18:1 > С16:0 > С18:0 > С18:2 > С24:0 > С20:0 > С16:1 > С22:0 > С20:1 > С14:1. A high content of linoleic acid in grain was recorded in the varieties Omriyane (63.6±0.07%), Sozh (62.7±0.34%), Yulin 1 (62.4±0.03%), Bila Altanka (62.8±0.04%), Kharkivske 57 (63.2±0.45%), and Zhodynske (63.3±0.31%). The varieties Sozh and Yulin 1 had an above-average content of oleic acid (26.1±0.19% and 26.0±0.01% respectively). The highest oleic acid content was observed in the variety Bohatyrske (28.5±0.15%). These data prove that high levels of linoleic and oleic acids can be combined in one genotype. The carotenoid content in the varieties Slobozhanske, Omriyane, Bila Altanka, and Yulin 1 was significantly higher than the mean value (by 0.6, 0.7, 1.1, and 0.5 mg/kg respectively). Correlation analysis has allowed determining genetic relationships between the total oils, carotenoids, and fatty acids of grain, and has shown weak to very weak correlations between their total contents. However, the oleic acid content was moderately and negatively correlated with the carotenoid content (r=-0.550) as well as with linoleic (r=-0.717), stearic (r=-0.574), eicosanoic (r=-0.590), and lignoceric (r=-0.533) acid contents. This means that breeding of high-quality millet cultivars is complicated. During long-term storage (5 years) of Kharkivske 57 grain, the total oil content decreased by 0.25%, but this change was not statistically significant. After the five-year storage, the carotenoid content decreased by 4.74 mg/kg. The acid value of oil in 2020 was 5.10 mg KOH/100 g of substance. After the five-year storage, it increased to 9.53 mg KOH/100 g of substance. No significant changes were observed in the quantity or quality of fatty acids in Kharkivske 57 oil. Nevertheless, the storage of millet grain was accompanied by a slight increase in palmitic, stearic, linoleic, linolenic, eicosanoic, eicosenoic, behenic, and lignoceric acids.

Impacts of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid on plant biometrics and grain metabolomics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are utility chemicals that have become environmental contaminants of global concern due to their bioaccumulative and persistent nature. The accumulation and effects of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), a type of PFAS, on agricultural plants is a serious environmental concern that needs to be investigated. Wheat was exposed to soil amended with 0, 25, and 50 mg/kg PFOS and assessed for PFOS’ impacts via agronomic measurements, biochemical assays, PFOS uptake, and ionomics and metabolomics analyses over the lifetime of the plant. PFOS was taken up in the roots and relocated to the grains, which accumulated PFOS at levels 12-18 times higher in treated plants than in control. Compared to control, 50 mg/kg PFOS reduced chlorophyll content by 49% and root biomass by 37% early on during the exposure. At the end of full life cycle exposure, PFOS did not affect the agronomic and productivity status of plants. However, PFOS impacted grain quality by reducing concentrations of macroelements (Mg, K, and P) and levels of important sugar metabolites (e.g., sucrose, glucose 6-phosphate, fructose 6-phosphate, trehalose). PFOS also decreased the abundance of non-polar proteinogenic amino acids but increased the levels of polar amino acids in grains. These findings highlight impacts of PFOS on an important agronomic crop.

Formation of uric acid in grain produced by rhyzopertha dominica (f.)

The study describes the peculiarities of the development of uric acid produced by lesser grain borers Rhizopertha dominica during their vital activities in the grain mass. Pollution of grain by insects makes it poisonous. The conventional determination of grain pollution by the number of insects in the intergrain space in several cases (for example, after grain separation) gives a false picture of its actual hazard for human nutrition, which is a possibility for introduction of falsified grain products to the market. This leads to provision of the population with low-quality primary products, which, subsequently, reduces the quality of foods produced from such grain. During their vital activities, insects pollute grain with uric acid, which analysis is proposed as an alternative to the conventional method. The present study is devoted to the determination of the quantitative dependence of uric acid formation in wheat grain on the number of Rhizopertha dominica. It is shown that uric acid formation in grain by this pest is conditioned by the character of its nutrition with the development of a large amount of excrements in a form of fine gray dust with the characteristic odor commonly referred to as “floury dust”. It was established experimentally that the main part of uric acid excreted by the pest is concentrated in “floury dust”. Grain without “floury dust” contains the insignificant amount of uric acid; however, it is closely linked with the density of its pollution with imago Rh. dominica. As grain before milling in milling plants is subjected to thorough cleaning, during which “floury dust” is removed along with other contaminants, it is recommended to sift “floury dust” from grain before determination of uric acid in it.

Polyamines and ethylene interact in mediating the effect of nitrogen rates on synthesis of amino acids in rice grains

AbstractNitrogen (N) is one of the essential factors influencing amino acid synthesis in rice (Oryza sativa L.) grains. Polyamines (PAs) and ethylene (ETH) play vital roles in grain amino acid biosynthesis of rice. However, knowledge is limited about whether and how PAs and ETH mediate the effect of N rate on amino acid biosynthesis. Two rice cultivars were used with three N rates of low (LN), medium (MN), and high (HN) in the study. Levels of free PAs and ETH, activities/gene expressions of key enzymes related to amino acid synthesis in grains, and the amino acid contents in milled rice were investigated. Free spermidine (Spd) and spermine (Spm) concentrations, especially ratios of free PAs to 1‐aminocylopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC), and total amino acids (TAAs), essential amino acids (EAAs), and non‐essential amino acids (NEAAs) contents were increased with N rate, while ethylene evolution rate (EER) and ACC concentration were reduced with N increases. There was relatively little difference in the above parameters between MN and HN. Levels of free Spd and Spm, and their ratios to ACC exhibited significant and positive correlations with the activities/gene expressions of key enzymes related to amino acid biosynthesis, and TAAs, NEAAs, and EAAs contents, whereas ACC and EER levels had significantly negative correlations with those parameters. Exogenous Spd, Spm, or AVG (an ETH synthesis inhibitor) increased the enzymatic activities and gene expressions, whereas MGBG (a Spd or Spm synthesis inhibitor) or ethephon (an ETH‐releasing agent) exerted the opposite effect. These results demonstrated that free PAs and ETH antagonistically interact in mediating the effect of N rate on grain amino acid synthesis of rice. Higher ratios of free PAs to ACC could promote synthesis of amino acids in grains of rice.

Phenolic composition and antioxidant potential in Turkish einkorn, emmer, durum, and bread wheat grain and grass

Wheat has been a primary food source in human and animal nutrition in many parts of the world since ancient times. The objective of the present study was to evaluate phenolic acid composition (p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, trans-ferulic acid, and sinapic acid) and antioxidant potentials (total phenol and flavonoid contents, and free radical scavenging activity) in both grain and grass of einkorn (Triticum monococcum spp. monococcum; Cv. IZA), emmer (T. dicoccum ssp. dicoccum Schrank.) population, durum (T. durum Desf.; Cv. Kunduru-1149), and bread wheat (T. aestivum L.; Cv. Kıraç-66). The amount of phenolic acids in grain and two weeks old grass obtained from 4 different wheat species was detected by LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. The p-coumaric acid was the most abundant compouns in all tested grasses, while trans-ferulic acid were the most abundant compounds in all tested grains. It was determined that einkorn (IZA) had the highest amount of p-coumaric acid (1.360 µg/g dw) and trans-ferulic acid (0.490 µg/g dw) among the grasses, while the highest p-coumaric acid (0.770 µg/g dw) and trans-ferulic acid (3.400 µg/g dw) were found in bread wheat (Kıraç-66) among the grains. The highest total phenolic content was obtained from grain (90.12 mg/g dw) and grass (99.24 mg/g dw) of durum wheat (Kunduru -1149). The the highest total flavonoid content was found in both grain (141.58 mg/g dw) and grass (179.50 mg/g dw) of einkorn (IZA). Grains of emmer (2.68 µg/mL) and grasses of einkorn wheat (2.98 µg/mL) had the strongest antioxidant activity with the lowest IC50 (concentration inhibiting 50% of DPPH) values. Einkorn, an ancestral wheat species with 14 chromosomes, has higher phenolic molecules, total flavonoid content and antioxidant potential than modern wheat species such as durum wheat with 28 chromosomes and bread wheat with 42 chromosomes. Wheatgrass of IZA (einkorn) is thought to have the potential as a functional food/beverage in the future with its higher amounts of phenolic molecules and strong natural immune booster antioxidant activity.

Contents and compositions of amino acids in rice grains and their regulation: a review

<p id="C2">Amino acids in cereal grains are important nutrients for both human and animals. Increasing the content of amino acids in the rice grain, especially lysine and other essential amino acids, plays a very important role in improving the nutritional standard of people in the countries with rice as staple food. This paper reviewed some research progresses in the contents and compositions of amino acids in the mature grain of rice and their distribution in the different parts of a grain, the synthesis and metabolism of amino acids in the grain, the role of plant hormones in regulating the synthesis and metabolism of on amino acids, and the effects of environmental factors and cultivation practices on the contents and compositions of amino acids in the grain, and discussed the existing problems and key points for future research. It merits further investigating the temporal (at different filling stages) and spatial (at different parts of a grain) distribution characteristics of the contents and compositions of amino acids in a grain during the filling, their physiological and biochemical mechanism, and cultivation regulation and its principle. Such a study is expected to gain new insight into the mechanism in the formation and distributions of amino acids in a rice grain, and explore a new way to increase the contents of amino acids, especially essential amino acids such as lysine, in milled rice.

Waste-based hydrothermal carbonization aqueous phase substitutes urea for rice paddy return: Improved soil fertility and grain yield

Hydrothermal carbonization is an emerging and efficient technology for utilizing wet waste. However, the utilization of hydrothermal carbonization aqueous phase (HAP), a carbon-rich liquid product containing massive quantities of nutrient elements, has been largely unexplored. In this study, HAP produced by hydrothermal carbonization of sewage sludge (SHAP) and pig manure (PHAP) at 180 °C and 260 °C was applied as a substitute for partial (9.1–55.9%) urea in rice paddy field. Results showed that HAP increased the abundance of humic acid-like substances and microbial metabolic by-products in soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) by 3.3–7.2 times and 42.1–101.6%, respectively, compared to the control treatment without HAP addition (CK). Meanwhile, HAP significantly increased soil fluorescence and humification index of soil DOM by 28.5–41.9% and 12.3–26.8%, respectively, in comparison with CK. Soil fertilized with SHAP260 had greater mineral nitrogen, total organic carbon and Olsen-P compared to CK. HAP increased the grain N uptake by 34.0–58.8% and rice yield by 6.3–34.1% with essential amino acids in grains improved by 8.6–20.9% compared to CK. This study stated that HAP as a substitute of partial urea for rice paddy return has positive effects on soil fertility and grain yields.

Formation of Bioactive Tyrosine Derivatives during Sprouting and Fermenting of Selected Whole Grains.

Sprouting is a popular method in cereal processing because sprouted grains are accepted to have high nutritional value. The increased proteolytic activity by sprouting increases the free amino acids in grains. It was hypothesized that an increased amount of tyrosine can be utilized by microorganisms during fermentation to form higher amounts of bioactive tyrosine derivatives. Sprouting increased the tyrosine and tyramine contents considerably, but increases and decreases in l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-DOPA) and dopamine were specific to the cereal. More tyramine, l-DOPA, and dopamine formation was observed during sourdough fermentation than that in yeast fermentation. As a result of the combined application of sprouting (48 h at 20 °C) and sourdough fermentation (36 h at 30 °C), the amounts of dopamine, l-DOPA, and tyramine found in rye were 27, 50, and 136 mg/kg, respectively. Cereal products rich in dopamine and l-DOPA can thus be produced as functional food ingredients with their positive effects on human health and mood.

Fatty Acids Present in Wheat Kernels Influence the Development of the Grain Weevil (Sitophilus granarius L.).

Simple SummaryThe grain weevil (Sitophilus granarius L.) is a common storage pest species, whose foraging on stored cereal grain causes major losses worldwide every year. Traditional ways to control this species (non-chemical) are expensive or do not guarantee effective control against this pest insect. The application of chemical methods, on the other hand, is contradictory to consumers’ expectations regarding food safety, and cause a negative impact on the natural environment. An important step in the development of a safe and effective strategy for limiting the losses caused by the grain weevil is to search for mechanisms influencing the natural resistance of cereal grain and then to use this knowledge in the breeding of new cultivars. This experiment entailed assessing the content of fatty acids in grains of selected wheat cultivars. The content of these compounds and their composition in the wheat cultivars varied. In addition, the life cycle of S. granarius on the tested wheat grain was assessed. The results of the experiment suggested that the intensity of the development of S. granarius is significantly correlated with a higher content of saturated fatty acids and unsaturated ones in kernels. The substances that might stimulate the development of the grain weevil or reduce the number of offspring of this beetle were identified.Sitophilus granarius (L.) is considered to be one of the major pests causing damage to cereal grain stored in silos and granaries. Using traditional methods (synthetic insecticides, mechanical, or physical methods) to control this pest is either ineffective or dangerous to people and nature. It is, therefore, necessary to develop new cultivars of cereals that will be distinguished by a high natural tolerance of the foraging by S. granarius. The aim of this study is expressed in the set research hypothesis, stating that the number of offspring of the grain weevil on stored wheat kernels can depend on the content of fatty acids in the kernels. Thus, the qualitative and quantitative composition of fatty acids was determined in kernels of 10 winter wheat cultivars, and the abundance of the beetle’s offspring generation of S. granarius that developed on the wheat grain, as well as the mass of produced dust and loss in the mass of wheat grain were determined. By applying statistical analyses (GLM, ANOVA, Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient, and analysis of redundancy), the presence and character of the dependence between the determined content of fatty acids in wheat grain and the factors describing the development of S. granarius were established. The research results indicate that fatty acids from the groups C 18:1 and C 20:1 probably play an important role as substances stimulating the increase in the number of the tested pest progeny. In contrast, fatty acids C 15:0, C 16:1, and C 18:3, which were determined in large amounts in the grain of wheat cultivars Speedway, KWS Livius, and Julius, can reduce the number of offspring of pest insect.

БІОХІМІЧНИЙ СКЛАД ЗЕРНА ПШЕНИЦІ М’ЯКОЇ (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) ЗА ВПЛИВУ ДОБРИВ

The article, based on the analysis of scientific works, presents the research findings of the influence of mineral, organic and organo-mineral fertilizer on the biochemical composition of soft wheat grain. It is shown that seed productivity and quality of wheat grain depend on the provision of plants with nutrients during the growth season, resistance to stress factors and biological characteristics of the variety. The yield of winter wheat increases due to super-strong and extra-strong varieties, but the quality of grain, which is negatively correlated with productivity, decreases. Fertilizers are a significant factor in improving the quality of wheat grain, and their use allows to obtain high quality baking flour. Application of different types of organic fertilizers (cattle manure, chicken manure) and green manures (wheat-wheat, oat-pea, mustard) results in an increase in the gluten content from 24.2 to 25.6–27.7 % in grain winter wheat. The application of manure also contributed to the accumulation of proteins in the grain. The quality of wheat grain (nutritional value and baking properties) depends on both the protein content and their amino acid composition. Nitrogen fertilizers have been shown to increase the protein content and the amount of essential amino acids in grain and improve their amino acid composition, but their application, especially in higher doses, reduces the baking properties of wheat flour. The use of nitrogen fertilizers also increases the content of trace elements in wheat grain and improves the nutritional value of this important food. Foliar feeding of plants with chelated micro-fertilizers on the background of complete mineral nutrition (N60P60K60) also improves the quality of grain, while increasing the content of proteins and gluten. Pre-sowing seed treatment and foliar fertilization of plants in the phase of tillering and earing with liquid organo-mineral fertilizer Polidon Bio Zernovyi special purpose for winter wheat, against the background of mineral nutrition (N60P60K60), increased the protein content in grain according to experimental variants and promoted raw gluten growth.