Acid In Grains Research Articles

Simultaneous improvement of protein concentration and amino acid balance in maize grains by coordination application of nitrogen and sulfur

The synergistic regulation effect of coordinated application of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) on the protein concentration and amino acid balance in maize grains was investigated. The results showed that the coordinated application of N and S significantly increased the protein concentration of maize grains, and there were significant N × S interactions. In addition, the coordinated application of N and S also increased concentration of essential amino acid in maize grains, and N × S interactions reached a significant level. Simultaneously, the ratio of total essential amino acid to total non-essential amino acid in maize grains was increased, which promoted the balance of amino acid in grain protein. Notably, lysine and tryptophan that were usually most deficient in maize grains were significantly increased due to coordinated application of N and S, which was critical for improving nutritional quality of maize. Overall, synergistic application of N and S simultaneously improved protein concentration and amino acid balance in maize grains, thereby significantly improving nutritional quality of maize.

Citric acid inhibits Cd uptake by improving the preferential transport of Mn and triggering the defense response of amino acids in grains

Citric acid (CA) can regulate the balance of anions and cations in plants, and improve their resistance to heavy metals. It is not clear if foliar application with CA has any effect on migration of Cd and Mn in rice plant. In this work, a low-Cd-accumulating indica rice line (P7) and a high-Cd-accumulating line (HZ) were used to investigate the influence of CA on the transport of Cd and Mn as well as amino acid metabolism in grains. Content of Cd in grains and other organs increased with the increase of Cd content (0.1–2.4 mg kg−1) in soil, while decreased with the foliar application with CA. With the increase of Cd content in rice grains, the content of most amino acids in HZ, P7, HZ+CA and P7 + CA showed an obvious decline trend. Foliar application with CA efficiently raised the Mn:Cd ratio in grains and nodes of both HZ and P7. Meanwhile, the expression levels of OsNramp2, 3 and 5 in panicles were efficiently enhanced by CA application when plants grew in soil with Cd content of 0.6–2.4 mg kg−1. The increasing effect of CA on the content of 4 amino acids (i.e., Glu, Phe, Thr and Ala) in grains was related to varieties and Cd pollution. These results indicate that foliar application with CA can regulate the transport of Cd and Mn in the opposite directions in tissues and inhibit Cd accumulation in grains by enhancing expression of OsNRAMP 2, 3 or 5 and triggering the defense response of some amino acids in Cd-contaminated environment.

Content of Phenolic Acids in the Grain of Selected Polish Triticale Cultivars and Its Products.

The triticale grain has high nutritive value and good technological suitability. Triticale flour can be a valuable raw material for bread-making. The aim of this work was to determine the profile of phenolic acids in triticale grain of selected Polish cultivars and its products. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC-PDA-MS/MS) was applied for separation and identification of these constituents. The grain of the examined triticale cultivars contained 13 phenolic acids, of which ferulic acid was determined in the largest amount and was constituted from 42–44% of the total content of phenolic acids in the grain. In addition, due to the large amounts of ferulic, di-ferulic, and sinapic acids, composition of the phenolic acids fraction in triticale grain of the tested cultivars varied in comparison with that of wheat and rye cultivars. In triticale flour, the number of phenolic acids was nearly 4 times lower than in the grain, as phenolic acids were removed along with bran, in which their proportion was almost 9 times higher than in the grain intended for grinding. The application of bran in the bread recipe resulted in a 3.5-fold increase in the fraction of phenolic acids compared to the bread produced from triticale flour without bran addition.

ВМІСТ АМІНОКИСЛОТ У ЗЕРНІ ПШЕНИЦІ ОЗИМОЇ ЗАЛЕЖНО ВІД СОРТУ

The amino acid content of soft wheat grain was analyzed depending on the variety. It was found that the content of lysine, leucine, phenylalanine, tyrosine and cystine varies the most from the weather conditions of growing season. The total weight of amino acids varies from 14,01 to 17,46 % of grain depending on the variety of soft wheat. The share of indispensable amino acids is 27–29 % of their total mass. However, the sum content of indispensable amino acids varies significantly depending on the variety and line – from 3,81 to 5,10 %. The highest content of phenylalanine (0.55 %), lysine (0.51 %) and leucine (0.47 %) in the grain of soft wheat Panonicus (st) variety was found. The lowest methionine content is 0.1 %. The remaining amino acids ranged from 0,39 to 0,46 %. Among the dispensable amino acids, there is the highest content of glutamine (3,54 %) and proline (1.11 %), and the lowest content of cystine (0.1 %). The variation coefficient of the samples over the years of research was average for the amino acids serine, glutamine, glycine and arginine – low, histidine, asparagine and methionine – medium, and for the rest - high,. It is obvious that the content of amino acids also varies significantly depending on the weather conditions of the growing season of winter wheat. The content of indispensable amino acids in the grain of Kulundinka soft wheat varied from 0.16 to 0.95 %. The content of threonine (0,78 %) and leucine(0,95 %) was the highest, the content of methionine was the lowest – 0.16 %. The content of other indispensable amino acids ranged from 0,50 to 0,74 %. The content of dispensable amino acids ranged 0,22–4,03 %. The highest content was of proline (1,67 %) and glutamine (4,03 %). The content of other dispensable amino acids varied from 0,80 до 1,12 %. It was found that the content of basic amino acids in wheat grain of P 7 soft line varied from 0,09 to 3,92 %. Thus, the content of indispensable amino acids is dominated by threonine, lysine, valine and leucine (0,54–0,78 %). Among the indispensable are proline, asparagine, and glutamine (1,07–3,92 %). The lowest content among indispensable amino acids was characterized by methionine (0.09 %), among dispensable – cystine (0,27 %). The grain of Kulundinka wheat variety and P 7 line obtained by hybridization of Triticum aestivum L. / Triticum spelta L. has the highest number of indispensable amino acids, which are recommended to be used to obtain high-quality grain.

Effects of Gibberellin (GA4+7) in Grain Filling, Hormonal Behavior, and Antioxidants in High-Density Maize (Zea mays L.).

Dense plant cultivation is an efficient approach to improve maize production by maximizing the utilization of energy and nutrients. However, dense plant populations may aggravate the abortion rate of young grains, resulting in fewer kernels per ear. The rate and duration of grain-filling play decisive roles in maize grain yield. Therefore, to increase plant density, enhancing the grain-filling rate, extending the growth period of individual maize plants and regulating crop senescence would be the first priority. In this study, we examined the regulatory effects of GA4+7 under two application methods: shanks and silks were moistened by cotton full with GA4+7 solution at concentrations of 0, 10, 60, and 120 mg L−1. The results showed that GA4+7 improved the grain-filling rate by increasing the content of auxin, gibberellin, zeatin, and abscisic acid in grains compared to control plants. In addition, the auxin, gibberellin, and zeatin contents in the grains were positively and significantly correlated with the maximum grain weight and the maximum and mean grain-filling rates. Moreover, GA4+7 increased the activities of superoxide dismutases, catalases, and peroxidases and reduced the malondialdehyde content in leaves compared with untreated plants. At the concentration of 60 mg L−1, GA4+7 showed the greatest effect on shank and silk applications (Sh-60 and Si-60) followed by 10 mg L−1 (Sh-10) for shank treatment and 120 mg L−1 (Si-120) for silk treatment. Our results suggest that a concentration of 60 mg L−1 GA4+7 for shank and silk application may be efficiently used for changing the level of hormones in grains and antioxidant enzymes in ear leaves, which may be useful for enhancing grain-filling rate and delaying leaf senescence, resulting in an increase in maize grain yield.

Mitigating arsenic accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) using Fe-Mn-La-impregnated biochar composites in arsenic-contaminated paddy soil.

Arsenic (As) is a prominent metal contaminant of the soil in China. Pot experiments were conducted to examine the effects of corn stem powder biochar (BC) and Fe-Mn-La-impregnated biochar composites (FMLBC1, FMLBC2, and FMLBC3; BC:Fe:Mn:La at different weight ratios) on As accumulation in an indica cultivar of rice (Oryza sativa L.). The application of FMLBCs and BC improved the dry weight of the grains, leaves, stems, and roots of rice. The As uptake in different rice organs was significantly reduced in the FMLBC-amended soils (FMLBC3 > FMLBC2 > FMLBC1) compared with the BC treatment. Compared to the concentration of As in the control, the concentration of As in rice grains decreased by 56.0-89.4% with the addition of 2% FMLBC3. The application of FMLBCs significantly increased the ratio of essential amino acids in grains and the contents of Fe and Mn plaques on root surfaces. The reduction in As accumulation can be ascribed to the Fe, Mn, and La oxides that enhance the adsorption and retention of As, as well as the FMLBCs that provide nutrients and create a rhizosphere environment, promoting rice growth. This study demonstrated that applications of 2% FMLBC2 and FMLBC3 have the potential to remediate As-contaminated soils, reduce As accumulation in rice plants, and improve rice grain quality.

Interactive effects of different warming levels and tillage managements on winter wheat growth, physiological processes, grain yield and quality in the North China Plain

The interactive effects mechanisms of different warming levels and tillage managements on crop development, growth, physiological processes, and subsequently grain yield and quality are essential to accelerate understanding of climate change impact and adaptation for crop production system, however have not been well-understood. Here, a full growth season open-field infrared warming experiment was conducted for winter wheat in the North China Plain from 2018 to 2019. The experiment had three warming treatments (Control: no warming, T1: warming 1.4 °C & T2: warming 2.3 °C above ambient temperature) and two tillage treatments (CT: conventional tillage & NT: no-tillage). The results showed that experimental warming reduced the durations from sowing to anthesis by 7–15 days, however had little effect on the duration from anthesis to maturity. Warming significantly increased leaf area index (LAI), leaf Chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), maximum rates of electron transport (Jmax), and maximum rates of carboxylation of Rubisco (Vcmax) before anthesis, and consequently increased biomass, harvest index, and grain yield. However, it accelerated leaf senescence, increased the number of sterile spikelets, and inhibited photosynthetic capacity at grain-filling stage. As a result, wheat biomass, yield, and thousand kernel weights were increased by 6.5 % (4.8 %), 8.5 % (11.9 %), and 9.5 % (10.5 %), respectively, under T1 (T2) treatments with conventional tillage; in contrast, by 40 %, 39.3 %, and 4.9 %, respectively, under T1 treatment with no-tillage. Warming could significantly improve nitrogen (N), protein, and carbon (C) contents, while reduce the C/N ratio, the contents of crude fibers and total amino acids in grain. There was a non-linear relationship between warming levels and contents of microelements (Mn, Zn, Cu). Our findings gain new insights into the interactive effects mechanisms of different warming levels and tillage managements on crop growth, physiological and grain yield formation processes.

Increasing phosphate inhibits cadmium uptake in plants and promotes synthesis of amino acids in grains of rice

Technologies for cleaner production of rice in cadmium (Cd) contaminated field are being explored worldwide. In order to investigate the inhibition mechanism of phosphate on Cd transport in soil-plant system, controlled experiments were performed in this study. Experimental results showed that Cd levels in roots, flag leaves, rachises and grains of rice plants (Oryza sativa L.) were significantly reduced by supplement of 0.5–2.5 g kg−1 calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer (CMP). Path coefficient analysis revealed that phosphorous had significant negative direct effect on Cd, but positive indirect effect on essential and non-essential amino acids. Applying 2.5 g kg−1 CMP made the Cd concentration decreased by 45.7% while free essential and non-essential amino acids increased by 28.0–28.6% in grains. Levels of the branched-chain amino acids in grains were much higher than other essential amino acids, and increased with the amount of CMP fertilization. After application of CMP, pH of soil solution and thickness of the iron plaque around roots increased significantly. Spectra from X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) showed that content of N, P and Fe increased apparently, C, O and Ca had no change, while S decreased by 74.2% in roots after application of 2.5 g kg−1 CMP. Meanwhile, Cd concentration in protoplasts of root cells decreased by 39.5–80.1% with the increase of CMP. These results indicate that application of CMP can effectively inhibit Cd accumulation in root protoplasts by promoting iron plaque formation on the root surface, reduce Cd concentration and increase free amino acids in rice grains.

Spraying exogenous synthetic cytokinin 6‐benzyladenine following the waterlogging improves grain growth of waterlogged maize in the field

Abstract6‐Benzyladenine (6‐BA, a synthetic cytokinin) could improve the ability to resist adversity. However, very little attention has been given to its role in alleviating waterlogging damages on grain growth. A field experiment was performed to investigate effects of exogenous 6‐BA after waterlogging for 6 days at the third leaf stage (V3‐WL + 6‐BA) or the sixth leaf stage (V6‐WL + 6‐BA) on grain filling, and endogenous hormone of summer maize hybrids DengHai605 (DH605) and ZhengDan958 (ZD958), which were planted popularly in China. Exogenous 6‐BA alleviated waterlogging damages on grain filling by improving grain weight and volume, which was beneficial to yield increase. Grain yield of DH605 under V3‐WL + 6‐BA and V6‐WL + 6‐BA increased by 16% and 12%, respectively, compared with that of V3‐WL (waterlogging at the third leaf stage) and V6‐WL (waterlogging at the sixth leaf stage), while the corresponding values for ZD958 increased by 20% and 15%, respectively. Moreover, exogenous 6‐BA alleviated waterlogging damages on grain endogenous hormone content by increasing levels of endogenous indole‐3‐acetic acid, zeatin riboside, and gibberellic acid, and decreasing level of abscisic acid in grain of waterlogged summer maize during grain‐filling periods. Clearly, exogenous 6‐BA improved grain‐filling characteristics, and endogenous hormone, resulting in a significant yield increase of waterlogged summer maize.

Characterization of amino acid content of grain of new wheat varieties and lines

Aim. To determine the formation of bound amino acids in grain of new wheat varieties and its biological value. Methods. Field, physical-chemical, computational, analysis. Results. The differences in amino acid composi- tion of new varieties and lines of wheat were analyzed. It was established that the highest content of essential amino acids was in the grain of the Kulundynka variety (5.18 %) or 2.5 times higher compared to the standard (2.99 %). Their content in the grain of soft wheat, obtained by the hybridization of Triticum aestivum L./Triti- cum spelta L., was 1.4–1.5 times higher compared to the control. The grain of the soft variety Kulundynka had the highest biological value as the score of essential amino acids was not defi cient and the remaining varieties were defi cient in 2–5 amino acids. Only methionine was defi cient in the grain of soft wheat lines (AAS = 64– 74 %). Conclusions. The content of amino acids in soft wheat grain depends considerably on weather condi- tions, selective-genetic origin of the variety and the line. Glutamic acid, proline, and leucine were found to be most abundant. Out of nine samples of soft wheat tested, only the seed of the Kulundynka variety had a non- defi cient amino acid score (91–298 %), and in the Pannonikus variety methionine was limited (49 %). The best balanced content of amino acids is present in the grain of non-spelt lines, obtained by hybridization of Triticum aestivum L. and Triticum spelta L., namely Р 7 and LPP 1314. The grain of these lines has a non-defi cient amino acid score, more methionine (AAS = 64–74 %), and supplies human daily requirement in the best way. The grain has a high index of complex estimation and metabolization coeffi cient for essential amino acids.

Independent and combined effects of elevated CO2 and post-anthesis heat stress on protein quantity and quality in spring wheat grains.

Spring wheat plants were grown under two CO2 concentrations (380 and 550 μmol mol-1) and two temperature treatments (ambient and post-anthesis heat stress) to investigate the effects of elevated CO2 and heat stress on grain protein quality. Contents of protein components, glutenin macropolymers (GMP) and amino acids in grains decreased due to elevated CO2, while increased by high temperature. The combination of elevated CO2 and heat stress increased the contents of total protein and albumin, but decreased the contents of gliadin and glutenin, while the content and particle size distribution of GMP as well as the contents of amino acids were not significantly affected. Furthermore, we found that the content and particle size distribution of GMP were not only determined by the contents of proteins and high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits, but also related to the contents of amino acids containing disulfide bonds, which favor the formation of large insoluble polymers.

Influence of Fertilizing with Nitrogen Fertilizer on the Content of Amino Acids in Sweet Sorghum Grain

Three-year results of studies on the effect of fertilizing nitrogen fertilizer on the content of amino acids in the grain of sweet sorghum of Kazakhstanskoe 16 and Kazakhstanskoe 20 varieties on irrigated light chestnut soils of the southeast of Kazakhstan are presented.Nitrogen fertilizers are one of the effective means of increasing the protein content of sweet sorghum. The later nitrogen is introduced as a second fertilizer in a dose of N50 in the period of its vegetation, the more effective its effect on the increase in the protein content of the grain. The amount of nitrogen introduced into the soil is of great importance. The number of essential amino acids in sweet sorghum depended on the norms of applying nitrogen fertilizers. The higher is the norm of nitrogen, the more it accumulates in the grain of the protein. At the same time, when nitrogen was added in two terms, the number of such essential amino acids as valine, leucine, isoleucine, and threonine increased significantly, which increases the biological value of the total protein. Therefore, it is possible not only to increase the yield, but also to increase the collection of protein from a unit of area by scientifically substantiating the use of nitrogen fertilizers for sweet sorghum.

Inhibition of advanced glycation endproducts in cooked beef patties by cereal bran addition

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) are formed in cooked meat products via Maillard reactions, which are seen as a contributor to chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart diseases. A number of reports have shown that natural antioxidants such as phenolic acids in grains, herbs, and spices can inhibit their formation. The objective of the study was to determine the inhibitory effects of selected wheat (Jagger, JA), triticale (Spring Triticale, ST; Thundercale, TH), and Rye (RY) bran on AGEs levels in cooked beef patties, as measured by Nε-carboxymethyl lysine (CML) contents. The CML was detected in all the cooked samples, whereas the patties to which RY (42.0% inhibition), ST (27.5% inhibition), and TH (21.4% inhibition) brans were added significantly decreased CML formation. RY and ST, were more abundant in total phenolics content (TPC) and exhibit higher properties as free radical scavengers. Using Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression analysis, the inhibition of CML in patties was correlated to the water-holding activity (WHC) of the samples, and the radical scavenging activity of the brans as measured by the 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. These results suggest that addition of bran may be a potential method of decreasing the formation of AGE in cooked patties.

Physicochemical and technological properties of soybean as a function of storage conditions

This study aims to evaluate the effect of moisture content (9, 12, 15 and 18%) and storage temperature (11, 18, 25 and 32 °C) on the proximate composition, bulk density, protein solubility, fat acidity and fatty acid profiles of 12-months stored soybeans. The protein and fat contents decreased after 12 months of storage, with lower values observed in the grains stored with 18% moisture content at 32 °C. Significant decrease was observed in bulk density of grains stored with 15 and 18% moisture content. After 12 months of storage, significant changes in the protein solubility of 32 °C-stored soybeans were observed, regardless of the grain moisture content. The fat acidity was well controlled in grains stored with 9 and 12% moisture content, even at 32 °C. The free fatty acid profile revealed a decrease in linolenic (C18:3) acid and an increase in linoleic (C18:2) acid in grains stored at 15 and 18% moisture content. Grain stored for 12 months with 15 and 18% moisture content at 11 °C showed minimal changes in bulk density, protein solubility, lipid acid and fatty acids profile compared with those metrics determined in soybeans on the first day of storage.

Hydrogen Sulfide Promotes Wheat Grain Germination Under Cadmium Stress

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has proved to be a multifunctional signaling molecule involved in plant development and response to abiotic stresses. In the present study, the effects of H2S donor, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) on the germination of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grains under cadmium stress was investigated. With the increase in Cd concentration, the germination percentage of wheat grains decreased steadily. NaHS pretreatment alleviated cadmium-induced germination inhibition in a dose-dependent manner, with the optimal concentration of 0.9 mM. Further studies showed that NaHS pretreatment could promote the activities of amylase and esterase, reducing cadmium-induced disturbance of plasma membrane integrity in the radicle tips, and sustain lower levels of superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde in germinating wheat grains. Besides, NaHS significantly promoted the accumulation of free amino acids in grains exposed to cadmium. Further investigation showed that NaHS pretreatment stimulated the activities of peroxidase, catalase and acorbate peroxidase and inhibited that of lipoxygenase. In addition, a higher level of endogenous H2S in wheat grains was observed in NaHS-pretreated wheat grains. These data indicate that H2S ameliorated cadmium-stress in germinating wheat grains by modulating the antioxidant system.

СОДЕРЖАНИЕ БЕЛКА И АМИНОКИСЛОТ В ЗЕРНЕ ОЗИМЫХ КУЛЬТУР, ПРОИЗРАСТАЮЩИХ НА ТЕРРИТОРИИ ЛЕСОСТЕПИ ЮГО-ВОСТОКА ЗАПАДНОЙ СИБИРИ

This article presents the results of the analysis of the content of protein and amino acids in grain of winter wheat, winter rye and winter triticale growing on the territory of forest-steppe South-East of Western Siberia depending on the type of culture and biological characteristics of the variety. The qualitative and quantitative amino acid composition of three grain species and 8 varieties of winter cereals. These data indicate that the protein content and amino acids in samples of grains varies depending on species and varietal characteristics of culture. Among winter wheat varieties with the highest protein content was observed in grades 2 and Novosibirsk is 13,43%. Among the varieties of winter rye for the superiority of the cultivar Petrovna 1 the grain which contains more protein by 1.44% and 1,64% compared with the varieties of foreign selection Drive and a hybrid (F1) Hilltop respectively. High protein was characterized by varieties of winter triticale of the Altai 5 – 14,31% and Omsk 14,08%. The content of all amino acids in the grain of winter rye grain is inferior to the other studied cultures the necessity of the required analysis of the amino acid composition of grain food crops to determine their biological value.

Comprehensive and Comparative Metabolomic Profiling of Wheat, Barley, Oat and Rye Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Advanced Chemometrics.

Beyond the main bulk components of cereals such as the polysaccharides and proteins, lower concentration secondary metabolites largely contribute to the nutritional value. This paper outlines a comprehensive protocol for GC-MS metabolomic profiling of phenolics and organic acids in grains, the performance of which is demonstrated through a comparison of the metabolite profiles of the main northern European cereal crops: wheat, barley, oat and rye. Phenolics and organic acids were extracted using acidic hydrolysis, trimethylsilylated using a new method based on trimethylsilyl cyanide and analyzed by GC-MS. In order to extract pure metabolite peaks, the raw chromatographic data were processed by a multi-way decomposition method, Parallel Factor Analysis 2. This approach lead to the semi-quantitative detection of a total of 247 analytes, out of which 89 were identified based on RI and EI-MS library match. The cereal metabolome included 32 phenolics, 30 organic acids, 10 fatty acids, 11 carbohydrates and 6 sterols. The metabolome of the four cereals were compared in detail, including low concentration phenolics and organic acids. Rye and oat displayed higher total concentration of phenolic acids, but ferulic, caffeic and sinapinic acids and their esters were found to be the main phenolics in all four cereals. Compared to the previously reported methods, the outlined protocol provided an efficient and high throughput analysis of the cereal metabolome and the acidic hydrolysis improved the detection of conjugated phenolics.

Biochemical Profile of Leaf, Silk and Grain Samples of Eight Maize Landraces (Z ea mays L.) Cultivated in Two Low-Input Agricultural Systems

Highlights We analyzed total carotenoids, anthocyanins and phenolic acids in grains, leaves and silks of maize landraces. Higher amounts of secondary metabolites were found in leaves and silks. High performance liquid chromatography revealed the xanthophylls lutein and zeaxanthin as the major carotenoids in grains. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry of crude extracts showed a higher richness of anthocyanin in leaf samples than in silks. Abstract This research aimed to determine the biochemical profile of leaf, silk and grain samples of eight maize landraces (Zea mays L.) cultivated in southern Brazil. To accomplish this, reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography-UV-visible (RP-HPLC-UV-vis), UV-vis spectrophotometry, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and chemometrics were used to examine carotenoids and their isomers, anthocyanin and phenolic acids. Leaf tissue samples showed higher amounts of carotenoids (838.6 μg/g – Língua de Papagaio variety), anthocyanins (405.8 μg/g – Palha Roxa variety) and phenolics (655.0 μg/g – Roxo variety), followed by maize silks and grains. RP-HPLC-UV-vis analysis of grain extracts revealed xanthophylls lutein and zeaxanthin as the major compounds. The anthocyanin profile by MALDI-TOF MS identified pelargonidin, cyanidin, peonidin, malvidin and glucoside derivatives in leaf extracts, and silk samples were shown to contain cyanidin, peonidin and 7-methoxy-apigeninidin glucoside. These findings indicate that the discarded material, i.e., leaves and silks, can be prospected as bioactive biomasses useful to industrial sectors. Practical Applications The present study indicates that leaves and silks of maize landraces, typically discarded in the normal process of agricultural production, can be prospected in food systems as potential sources of antioxidant compounds, such as carotenoids, anthocyanins and phenolics. Moreover, acquisition of these raw materials for development of new products in the pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics industries can be accomplished with no or negligible cost. Thus, the preservation of this valuable germplasm is to be encouraged, as it will increase the possibility of economic return to small farmers.

Effect of zn solubilizing bacteria on growth promotion and zn nutrition of rice

Abstract A comparison study between the isolated indigenous bacteria and chemical Zn fertilizer (ZnSO 4 .7H 2 O) was conducted to evaluate their potential to augment Zn nutrition of Zn responsive (NDR 359) and Zn non responsive (PD 16) varieties of rice under the green house. Three bacterial strains namely; BC, AX and AB isolated from a Zn-deficient rice-wheat field belonging to the genera Burkholderia and Acinetobacter were investigated for the growth promotion and Zn uptake in rice plants. The plant growth promotory properties such as Zn solubilization and IAA production of the isolates was checked in a previous study. These three isolates when used individually or in combination were found effective in significantly increasing the mean dry matter yield/pot (12.9%), productive tillers/plant (15.1%), number of panicles/plant (13.3%), number of grains/panicle (12.8%), grain yield (17.0%) and straw yield (12.4%) over the control and Zn fertilizer treatment, respectively. Bacterial inoculations also significantly enhanced the total Zn uptake/pot (52.5%) as well as grain methionine concentration (38.8%). Effect of bacterial treatments on the bioavailability of Zn was assessed by estimating the levels of phytic acid in grains. A reduction of nearly 38.4% in phytate: Zn ratio in grains was observed under bacterial inoculations.

Contents of Amino Acids in Grains of Different Bread Wheat Genotypes

This paper analyzes 10 different genotypes of the bread wheat by method of chromatography to identify the presence of free amino acids. The contents of the identified amino acids have been determined by spectrophotometric method. The results of the qualitative analysis showed the great deal of variability in the amino acid composition for each of the examined genotypes. Quantitative analysis of the free amino acids in the grains indicated their high content (over the 100 mg ml-1) in wheat genotypes San Pastore, Becker, Lihnida and Ana Morava, while their lowermost content was in the genotypes Uras (73 mg ml-1) and Jawa (75 mg ml-1). By using chromatography in the examined wheat grains have been determined that the most present amino acids were glutamic acid, glycine, sarcosine, valine, norvaline and tryptophan. The most present of all examined amino acids was glutamic acid, which was identified in nine examined wheat genotypes. The highest content of glumatic acid was found in wheat genotype Uras (6,52 mg ml-1). Among the essential amino acids has been found the highest content of norvalin (2,56 mg ml-1) and valin (2,32 mg ml-1). The wheat grains of the genotypes Becker, San Pastore and Ana Morava had the largest number of the determined essential amino acids (five), indicating their high nutritional value.