Anthocyanin Pigments Research Articles

Overexpression of black rice OsC1 confers tissue-specific anthocyanin accumulation in indica rice cv. Kasalath and its potential use as a visible marker in rice transformation

Anthocyanin biosynthesis, a process regulated by distinct MYB and MYC transcription factors, plays a crucial role in determining pigmentation in various tissue of plants. This study aimed to investigate the impact of overexpressing the OsC1 gene from black rice, encoding a MYB transcription factor, on anthocyanin pigmentation in red indica rice cv. Kasalath. Anthocyanin pigmentation was readily observed as purple spots in calli and as purple shoot tips and purple leaf sheath in transgenic seedlings. We confirmed the presence of the transgene using GUS assay and PCR analysis, and the pigmentation segregated following a 3:1 Mendelian ratio. T0 and T1 transgenic plants exhibits anthocyanin accumulation in various tissues including leaf sheaths, auricles, nodes, stigma, apiculus and awns, excluding the pericarp. Notably, the pigmentation in node tissues has not been previously reported for the OsC1 gene, and this gene does not involve in pericarp pigmentation. RT-PCR analysis of transgenic seedlings demonstrated that the overexpression of the OsC1 gene upregulated anthocyanin structural genes, particularly OsDFR, leading to anthocyanin accumulation. Intriguingly, the absence of OsB2 expression, encoding a MYC transcription factor, in transgenic seedlings suggests the involvement of alternative MYC factors in purple leaf sheaths. This study not only expands our understanding of OsC1's role in tissue specific anthocyanin pigmentation but also proposes OsC1 as a potential visible marker in rice transformation. Utilizing OsC1 as a marker provides an alternative approach to address concerns related to antibiotic-resistant genes while providing visually striking pigmentation.

Nutritional composition, phytochemical extraction, and pharmacological potential of mulberry: A comprehensive review

Mulberry is one of the underutilised fruit with high perishability. The various species of mulberry fruit are characterized by their natural colours as black, white, and red. These fruits are rich sources of the natural pigment anthocyanin, as well as containing substantial quantities of vitamins and minerals. Black mulberry contains a large amount of phytochemicals, particularly flavonoids (anthocyanin) and phenolics (gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, and rutin). These compounds are responsible for its superior pharmacological effects, including antioxidant activity, hyperglycemia, and anti-inflammatory properties. Numerous research were conducted on different extraction techniques to separate bioactive compounds from mulberry. Various components of Morus species also possess potent nutraceutical capabilities, leading to a wide range of clinical trials for identifying its beneficial properties. The present review concentrates on the most recent literature concerning nutritional composition and phytochemical profiling of three distinct species of mulberries, including their fruit, seeds, and leaves. Furthermore, it investigates the process of extracting bioactive compounds from mulberries and investigates their potential uses in pharmacology as well as in the development of functional food or nutraceutical products. This research thoroughly analyzes innovative approaches for utilizing an underutilized perishable crop to generate economically viable functional products.

Identification of Functional Groups and Types of Anthocyanin Pigments of Purple Sweet Potato cv. Antin 2 and cv. Antin 3

Purple sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.) contain anthocyanin pigments which act as natural antioxidants which are very beneficial for health. The research aimed to identify the functional groups and types of anthocyanin pigments in purple sweet potato cv. Antin 2 and cv. Antin 3, using FTIR and identification of anthocyanin pigment types using LCMS/MS. The results of FTIR analysis show that the purple sweet potato cultivar Antin 2 has 12 spectrum peaks ranging from wavelengths of 570.48 cm-1 to 3 394.40 cm-1. Functional groups detected include benzene nuclei, hydrocarbons (dominating), carbonyls, carboxyl esters, aromatics, aldehydes, and alcohols. Meanwhile, the purple sweet potato cultivar Antin 3 has 15 spectrum peaks ranging from wavelengths of 417.88 cm-1 to 3 365.86 cm-1. The functional groups detected include core-benzene hydrocarbons, carboxyl esters, methyl, aromatics, carbonyls, carbonyl esters, aldehydes, aldehyde carbons, and hydroxyl carbons. The LCMS/MS identification results of purple sweet potato anthocyanin pigments of the Antin 2 cultivar detected 11 types, including Cyanidin 3-(6“-caffeoyl sophoroside)-5-glucoside and Cyanidin 3-(6“-feruloyl sophoroside)-5-glucoside. In the purple sweet potato cultivar Antin 3, 14 types of anthocyanins were found, including, Malvidin 3-5 diglicoside, Cyanidin 3-(6“-caffeoyl sophoroside)-5-glucoside, Cyanidin, and Cyanidin 3-(6“feruloyl sophoroside)-5-glucoside.

De novo genome assembly and population genomics of a shrub tree Barthea barthei (Hance) krass provide insights into the adaptive color variations.

Flower color is a classic example of an ecologically important trait under selection in plants. Understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying shifts in flower color can provide key insights into ecological speciation. In this study, we investigated the genetic basis of flower color divergence in Barthea barthei, a shrub tree species exhibiting natural variation in flower color. We assembled a high-quality genome assembly for B. barthei with a contig N50 of 2.39 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 16.21 Mb. The assembly was annotated with 46,430 protein-coding genes and 1,560 non-coding RNAs. Genome synteny analysis revealed two recent tetraploidization events in B. barthei, estimated to have occurred at approximately 17 and 63 million years ago. These tetraploidization events resulted in massive duplicated gene content, with over 70% of genes retained in collinear blocks. Gene family members of the core regulators of the MBW complex were significantly expanded in B. barthei compared to Arabidopsis, suggesting that these duplications may have provided raw genetic material for the evolution of novel regulatory interactions and the diversification of anthocyanin pigmentation. Transcriptome profiling of B. barthei flowers revealed differential expression of 9 transcription factors related to anthocyanin biosynthesis between the two ecotypes. Six of these differentially expressed transcription factors were identified as high-confidence candidates for adaptive evolution based on positive selection signals. This study provides insights into the genetic basis of flower color divergence and the evolutionary mechanisms underlying ecological adaptation in plants.

Anthocyanin Production from Plant Cell and Organ Cultures In Vitro.

Anthocyanins are water-soluble pigments found in plants. They exist in various colors, including red, purple, and blue, and are utilized as natural colorants in the food and cosmetics industries. The pharmaceutical industry uses anthocyanins as therapeutic compounds because they have several medicinal qualities, including anti-obesity, anti-cancer, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective effects. Anthocyanins are conventionally procured from colored fruits and vegetables and are utilized in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. However, the composition and concentration of anthocyanins from natural sources vary quantitively and qualitatively; therefore, plant cell and organ cultures have been explored for many decades to understand the production of these valuable compounds. A great deal of research has been carried out on plant cell cultures using varied methods, such as the selection of suitable cell lines, medium optimization, optimization culture conditions, precursor feeding, and elicitation for the production of anthocyanin pigments. In addition, metabolic engineering technologies have been applied for the hyperaccumulation of these compounds in varied plants, including tobacco and arabidopsis. In this review, we describe various strategies applied in plant cell and organ cultures for the production of anthocyanins.

BIOINFORMATICS-BASED CHARACTERIZATION OF THE CHALCONE SYNTHASE (CHS) FAMILY GENES IN FLOWERING PLANTS

Chalcone synthase (CHS) is an essential rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of anthocyanin pigments found in plant organs, such as, flowers and fruits. The CHS gene family appears in all flowering plants. Here, we searched and characterized the CHS genes from different flowering plants. Database search resulted in identifying Chalcone synthase genes from 29 diverse plant species. Phylogenetic analysis indicated significantly higher similarity between the various CHS genes, divided into at least six closely related rooted clades. Gene structure analysis identified the relative sizes and positions of UTRs, introns, and exons. Protein sequence alignment specified more than 95% similarity between the CHS genes, with eight highly conserved domains of different lengths. Likewise, in-depth analysis showed the presence of three highly conserved motifs in the protein sequence of all the 29 chalcone synthase genes. Physicochemical properties, such as, molecular weight, instability index, aliphatic index, hydropathicity (GRAVY), length, and isoelectric point (pI) of the CHS genes were significantly similar. Furthermore, the predicted 3D structures of CHS genes from different plant species highly remained and are homologous to each other, indicating that the CHS family genes have significantly conserved sequences and functionality across the plant kingdom.

Nutritional and antioxidant content in complementary feeding from soybeans and dragon fruit peel

Infants aged 6-24 months can be given complementary feeding to fulfil their nutritional needs. Giving complementary feeding on time can prevent infants from malnutrition. Malnutrition in the long term can increase the risk of stunting. The Indonesian government implements a malnutrition prevention program in the form of complementary feeding in infants. Complementary feeding can be made from a mixture of several food ingredients in order to obtain a product with high nutritional value. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the ingredient formulation on the nutritional and antioxidant content of complementary feeding from soybeans and dragon fruit peels. Complementary feeding was made from soybean powder, milk powder, dragon fruit peel extract and sugar. The research treatment was the ratio of soy powder and milk powder (1:1, 5:9, 9:5). The results showed that the ratio of soy powder and milk powder had an effect on the ash, protein, carbohydrates, vitamin C, total phenol and antioxidants, but had no effect on fat and moisture of complementary feeding. The complementary feeding contains 2.62-2.91% moisture, 15.51-15.60% fat, 4.28-5.05% ash, 16.28-20.60% protein, 58.62-61.00% carbohydrates, 27.91-35.30 mg/100 g vitamin C, 0.28-0.35% total phenol and 65.89- 68.02% antioxidants. Soybeans are a good source of protein to increase protein content in complementary feeding. In addition to protein, infants who malnutrition also need antioxidant to prevent inflammation. Antioxidants in complementary feeding formulas are obtained from several nutrients that have antioxidant activity such as vitamin C and phenols. Milk provides vitamin C, while phenols come from soybeans. The use of dragon fruit peel also contributes antioxidants derived from anthocyanin pigments and phenols. Additionally, the use of dragon fruit peel is able to cover the beany aroma of soybeans, provide red color and a thick texture.

Acerola (Malpighia emarginata) pulp: characterization and stability of anthocyanins under different conditions

Tropical fruits provide a high economic potential and their inclusion in the diet can provide health benefits. In this sense, this study aimed to evaluate the proximal composition, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and stability of anthocyanins of acerola pulp in the absence and presence of light at temperatures of 7 and 21.7°C. The results for the proximal composition (g/100 g) were 93.49 moisture, 0.04 protein, 0.09 lipid, 0.60 ash, and 6.28 carbohydrates, totaling a 28.29 kcal/100 g caloric value. For total bioactive compounds, the results were 3.22 µg/g chlorophyll, 29.71 µg/g carotenoids, 3.74 g/100 g flavonoids, and 6.12 mg/100 g phenolic compounds. Acerola pulp showed high antioxidant activity by DPPH and ABTS methods with values of 6.17 μmol/g and 3.19 mM TEAC/g, respectively. Regarding the stability of anthocyanins, in acerola pulp stored away from light and at a temperature of 7°C, these pigments remained more stable than when subjected to light and a temperature of 21°C. Thus, it was possible to perceive that, in addition to the acerola being important for the food industry, storage under low temperatures and the absence of light can contribute to greater stability of anthocyanin pigments.

Molecular transformations and self-association in anthocyanin pigment patterns

Molecular transformations and self-association in anthocyanin pigment patterns

Comparison of extraction methods on anthocyanin pigment attributes from mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.) fruit rind as potential food colourant

The mangosteen fruit is mostly consumed for its pulp, and the rind, which accounts for more than 60 % of the total fruit weight, is discarded making it poor economic worth. The dark purple rind of mangosteen fruit is a rich source of anthocyanin pigment that can be used for food application if extracted using eco-friendly solvents. The aim of the study was to come up with an efficient, cheap and environmentally friendly method of anthocyanin pigment extraction from mangosteen fruit rind. Acidified solvent has shown to have higher recovery percentage of the pigment concentrate having higher TMAC (17,652.54 mg/L), colour density (1596.30 AU), polymeric colour (997.80 AU). Significantly highest recovery percentage (55.03), antioxidant activity measured by DPPH (2.29 l/ml), FRAP (2.83 l/ml), and ABTS (2.02 l/ml), total phenolics (32.25 mgGAE/100 g), total flavonoid content (40.02 mgQE/100 g), as well as the instrumental colour values indicating bright reddish-purple, were observed in microwave assisted extraction method with acidified solvent. By LC-MS/MS analysis, it was also evident that the rind contains a number of beneficial and health-promoting compounds, such as anthocyanins, xanthones, phenolics, flavonoids, coumarins, phoroglucinol derivatives, lignans, retinoids.

Nutrients and bioactive compounds of red cabbage

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the biochemical components in the heads of some red cabbage accessions (Russian cultivar Mikhnevskaya, Russian hybrid from Co Sedek Promethey F1, Turkish variety Mohrenkopf, hybrids from the Netherlands Zomiro F1, Pecky F1, Remala F1, Japanese hybrid Pretino F1), during cultivation in the conditions of the Leningrad region. The content of dry matter, nutritional compounds of protein and sugars, biologically active pigments anthocyanins, chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenolic acids expressed in gallic acid equivalents, as well as the level of antioxidant activity using DPPH were determined. It was found that the content of most chemical components varied greatly between accessions, especially sugars, pigments, and phenolic compounds. As a result of metabolomic profiling, nine monosaccharides (84% of the total) and two disaccharides were identified, including five sugars common to all studied accessions, the predominant of which was fructose. The content of total chlorophylls in heads of cabbage was in the range of 0.48-50.43 mg/100 g (chlorophyll a was 70%), carotenoids in the range of 0.95-15.58 mg/100 g. Carotenoids included carotenes, represented mainly by βcarotene, luteins, violaxanthins, xanthophylls. The main anthocyanin in red cabbage accessions is cyanidin. A total of 19 components of the anthocyanin profile were identified; of which there are six main components, that account for 80% of the total. 11 phenolic compounds of various nature were identified, and all studied accessions contained quinic, ferulic, and sinapic acids. Sources of valuable biochemical traits have been found for breeding on quality for healthy nutrition: the cultivar Mohrenkopf stood out for its high content of dry substances; sugars – hybrid Zomiro F1; anthocyanins – hybrid Pecky F1; phenolic compounds – Pecky F1 and Mohrenkopf; high antioxidant activity - Mikhnevskaya, Mohrenkopf and Pecky F1.

Effect of Shading, Licorice Extract and Mycorrhizal on the Growth and Production of Commercial Cut Flowers of Two Cultivars of Shrubby Roses

An experiment was conducted using the RCBD design, namely the Factorial Experiment within the Split-Split Plot. Complementary Storyline Shading, licorice extract, and mycorrhizal were tested on two cultivars of shrubby roses in a plastic greenhouse at the Department of Horticulture and Palms in the Baghdad Governorate during the spring of 2022 for their impact on the growth and production of commercial cut flowers. The use of two varieties of shrub roses, Angelina, red in color and Maroussia, white, using three levels of shading without shading and 25% and 50%. 1 + Maiko Raisa). And (chelated iron + mycorrhizal (1 g / liter-1 + mycorrhizae) and licorice extract + chelated iron + mycorrhizae). The flowers are of anthocyanin pigment, while the V2 variety was significantly superior to the V1 variety in flower stem diameter. While the characteristics of vegetative growth represented by the average leaf area and the content of leaves of chlorophyll and the characteristics of flowering growth represented by the diameter of the flower stem, the duration of the flower remaining on the plant and the content of flowers of the anthocyanin pigment were significantly superior when using shading levels 50% (S2) and the levels of fertilization consisting of mycorrhiza and licorice extract And chelated iron (F3) in all characteristics of vegetative and flowering growth.

Response of Chinese Carnation Plant, Dianthus chinensis, to Spraying with Putrescine and Roselle Extract in Growth and Flowering Indicators

The experiment was carried out in the nursery of University of Kufa during the agricultural season 2021-2022 to study the response of Chinese carnation plant to spraying with putrescine and roselle extract in growth and flowering indicators. Experiment was conducted based on RCBD with three replications. The concentrations of putrescine were 0, 50 and 100 mg l-1 and 0, 2.5 and 5 ml l-1 of roselle extract. The obtained results confirmed that spraying putrescine at a concentration of 100 mg l-1 with roselle extract at a concentration of 2.5 ml l-1 led to a significant increase in plant growth characteristics such as number of branches, the dry weight of the shoot system, the dry weight of the root system, and the content of the leaves in total soluble carbohydrates, and flowering characteristics such as inflorescence length, number of florets, diameter of the floret, the percentage of potassium (K) in the leaves, and the flower content of the anthocyanin pigment, compared to the control treatment.

The Purple leaf (Pl) Alleles, Plw and Pli, Regulate Leaf Color Development Independently from the Pb Gene of Purple pericarp (Prp) in Rice

Color development in various rice organs results from the complementary expression of genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis. The Purple pericarp (Prp) trait and the Purple leaf (Pl) trait both display epistasis, relying on the complement of the Pb and Pp genes for pericarp coloration and the Pl and Pp genes for leaf coloration, respectively. However, there is still genetic uncertainty in identifying the genes responsible for the various color expressions and intensities of rice grain pericarp and leaves. In this study, we characterized the inheritance patterns of color development and the mode of anthocyanin pigments in rice by crossing two parental mutant lines. YUM051, exhibiting dark purple leaves (Plw) and purple pericarp (Prp), was crossed with YUM144, which displayed light purple leaves (Pli) and a white pericarp (prp). The F1 plants exhibited dark purple leaves with purple pericarps, indicating the dominant nature of the purple leaf (Pl) and purple pericarp (Prp) traits. The rice Prp traits display a complementary interaction, reflected in a 9:7 ratio of purple to white pericarp. However, the Prp trait followed Mendelian segregation with a 3:1 ratio of purple to white pericarp in this cross, indicating homozygous dominant Pp alleles in both parental plants. Meanwhile, the segregation of the purple leaf color in the F2 generation of this cross followed complementary inheritance, exhibiting a 9:7 segregation ratio between purple leaves and greenish leaves with purple leaf margins. Moreover, the co-segregation of Prp and Pl traits in the cross between YUM051 (Plw) and YUM144 (Pli) plants did not adhere to the Mendelian 9:3:3:1 independent assortment ratio, confirming that the Pl gene and Pb gene are linked on the same chromosome. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) was detected in the leaves of all progeny resulting from the Plw and Pli cross. However, C3G was exclusively identified in the seeds of offspring carrying the dominant Pb gene. Therefore, the Plw and Pli alleles are Pl genes responsible for purple leaf color, while the Pb gene is responsible for purple pericarp color in rice; these genes function independently of each other.

Sustainable Recovery of Anthocyanins and Other Polyphenols from Red Cabbage Byproducts.

The objective of this work was to develop a sustainable process for the extraction of anthocyanins from red cabbage byproducts using, for the first time, apple vinegar in extractant composition. Our results showed that the mixture 50% (v/v) ethanol-water, acidified with apple vinegar, used in the proportion of 25 g of red cabbage by-products per 100 mL of solvent, was the best solvent for the preparation of an anthocyanin extract with good stability for food applications. The chemical characterization of this extract was performed by FTIR, UV-VIS, HPLC-DAD, and ICP-OES. The stability was evaluated by determining the dynamics of the total polyphenol content (TPC) and the total monomeric anthocyanin pigment content (TAC) during storage. On the basis of the statistical method for analysis of variance (ANOVA), the standard deviation between subsamples and the repeatability standard deviation were determined. The detection limit of the stability test of TPC was 3.68 mg GAE/100 g DW and that of TAC was 0.79 mg Cyd-3-Glu/100 g DW. The red cabbage extract has high TPC and TAC, good stability, and significant application potential. The extracted residues, depleted of anthocyanins and polyphenols with potential allelopathic risks, fulfill the requirements for a fertilizing product and could be used for soil treatment.

Activity antioxidant and sensory profile of jelly candy with addition of butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) extract powder

An antioxidant is a compound that can capture free radicals which are active substances that cause various diseases such as cancer. One type of antioxidant is anthocyanin. Anthocyanin pigments in butterfly pea can be used as natural dyes. This study aimed to analyze the anthocyanin content in the manufacturing of jelly candy with butterfly pea extract and preferences that include color, taste, aroma, texture, and acceptability in toddlers. The research design was experimental (posttest only design) with three treatments consisting of the addition of 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 g of butterfly pea extract. Anthocyanin content was measured using the differential pH method and hedonic organoleptic test. Data were analyzed using the Excel application; if Fh>0.5, then the Duncan test continued. The most liked jelly candy by panelists was the addition of 0.50 g of butterfly pea extract. The nutritional content in 100 g of jelly candy with butterfly pea extract is 289.3 calories, 74.4 g carbohydrates, and 965.75 ppm (965.75 mg/kg) antioxidant activity. The conclusion of the three selected formulations is the addition of 0.50 g.

DcGST1, encoding a glutathione S-transferase activated by DcMYB7, is the main contributor to anthocyanin pigmentation in purple carrot.

The color of purple carrot taproots mainly depends on the anthocyanins sequestered in the vacuoles. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are key enzymes involved in anthocyanin transport. However, the precise mechanism of anthocyanin transport from the cytosolic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the vacuoles in carrots remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the carrot genome, leading to the identification of a total of 41 DcGST genes. Among these, DcGST1 emerged as a prominent candidate, displaying a strong positive correlation with anthocyanin pigmentation in carrot taproots. It was highly expressed in the purple taproot tissues of purple carrot cultivars, while it was virtually inactive in the non-purple taproot tissues of purple and non-purple carrot cultivars. DcGST1, a homolog of Arabidopsis thaliana TRANSPARENT TESTA 19 (TT19), belongs to the GSTF clade and plays a crucial role in anthocyanin transport. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, we successfully knocked out DcGST1 in the solid purple carrot cultivar 'Deep Purple' ('DPP'), resulting in carrots with orange taproots. Additionally, DcMYB7, an anthocyanin activator, binds to the DcGST1 promoter, activating its expression. Compared with the expression DcMYB7 alone, co-expression of DcGST1 and DcMYB7 significantly increased anthocyanin accumulation in carrot calli. However, overexpression of DcGST1 in the two purple carrot cultivars did not change the anthocyanin accumulation pattern or significantly increase the anthocyanin content. These findings improve our understanding of anthocyanin transport mechanisms in plants, providing a molecular foundation for improving and enhancing carrot germplasm.

Role of miRNAs in sucrose stress response, reactive oxygen species, and anthocyanin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana.

In plants, sucrose is the main transported disaccharide that is the primary product of photosynthesis and controls a multitude of aspects of the plant life cycle including structure, growth, development, and stress response. Sucrose is a signaling molecule facilitating various stress adaptations by crosstalk with other hormones, but the molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Accumulation of high sucrose concentrations is a hallmark of many abiotic and biotic stresses, resulting in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and secondary metabolite anthocyanins that have antioxidant properties. Previous studies have shown that several MYeloBlastosis family/MYB transcription factors are positive and negative regulators of sucrose-induced anthocyanin accumulation and subject to microRNA (miRNA)-mediated post-transcriptional silencing, consistent with the notion that miRNAs may be "nodes" in crosstalk signaling by virtue of their sequence-guided targeting of different homologous family members. In this study, we endeavored to uncover by deep sequencing small RNA and mRNA transcriptomes the effects of exogenous high sucrose stress on miRNA abundances and their validated target transcripts in Arabidopsis. We focused on genotype-by-treatment effects of high sucrose stress in Production of Anthocyanin Pigment 1-Dominant/pap1-D, an activation-tagged dominant allele of MYB75 transcription factor, a positive effector of secondary metabolite anthocyanin pathway. In the process, we discovered links to reactive oxygen species signaling through miR158/161/173-targeted Pentatrico Peptide Repeat genes and two novel non-canonical targets of high sucrose-induced miR408 and miR398b*(star), relevant to carbon metabolic fluxes: Flavonoid 3'-Hydroxlase (F3'H), an important enzyme in determining the B-ring hydroxylation pattern of flavonoids, and ORANGE a post-translational regulator of Phytoene Synthase expression, respectively. Taken together, our results contribute to understanding the molecular mechanisms of carbon flux shifts from primary to secondary metabolites in response to high sugar stress.

The Impact of Solvent Composition and Copper (Cu) Ion Doping on Dye Anthocyanin on Increasing Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) Efficiency

<p class="AbstractText">The development of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC) is increasing fast because fabrication costs are more affordable than silicon solar cells. In this study,<em> anthocyanin pigments</em> were used as a natural dye source. Anthocyanins are a group of flavonoids that can be extracted most proficiently in acidic conditions; therefore, variations in the composition of solvents and acids significantly impact anthocyanin yield. The anthocyanin pigments in this study were extracted from dragon fruit peels using a maceration method with variations in methanol composition and the addition of hydrochloric acid or citric acid (3/0; 3/0.5; 3/1). This study aims to improve the efficiency of DSSC by varying the solvent composition and adding Cu ion doping. The characterizations include measurement of absorbance, functional group, and efficiency using UV-Vis Spectrophotometer, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and current-voltage, respectively. The results show that anthocyanin dye with a composition of methanol/acid (3/0) and the addition of Cu ion produced the highest absorbance value and efficiency of 0.4102 Ω<sup>-1</sup>m<sup>-1</sup> and 0.016%, respectively.</p>

Differential response of phenylpropanoid pathway as linked to hormonal change in two Brassica napus cultivars contrasting drought tolerance.

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is a significant agro-economic crop with a wide range of uses. Drought is the most frequent unfavourable environmental stressor restraining its growth and development worldwide. This study was conducted to characterize the drought-responsive phenylpropanoid pathway and its link to hormonal changes in two cultivars, drought-resistant "Saturnin" and drought-susceptible "Mosa." Drought susceptibility in cv. Mosa was confirmed by its lower water use efficiency and higher lipid peroxidation levels with reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. In cv. Saturnin, higher salicylic acid (SA) levels and expression of dehydration-responsive element binding 2 (DREB2) and non-expressor of pathogenesis-related gene 1 (NPR1) led to an upregulation of production of anthocyanin pigment 1 (PAP1) and phenylpropanoid pathway-related gene (CHS, F5H and COMT1) expression, increasing hydroxycinnamic acid and flavonoid compound concentrations. However, in cv. Mosa, higher increases in the activity of lignifying enzymes (polyphenol oxidase, coniferyl alcohol peroxidase, syringaldazine peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase) and expression of the lignin synthesis-related gene cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 2 (CAD2) were found along with greater increases in abscisic acid (ABA) levels and upregulation of ABA-responsive element binding 2 (AREB2) and basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor MYC2. These results indicate that drought-induced SA-mediated activation of the hydroxycinnamic acid and flavonoid pathways contributes to drought resistance, whereas ABA-mediated lignification contributes to drought susceptibility.