Application Of Biotechnological Tools Research Articles

Applications of biotechnological tools in citrus improvement: A review

Applications of biotechnological tools in citrus improvement: A review

Molecular analysis of ERF subfamily genes during coffee somatic embryogenesis

With ample cultivation and economic potential, coffee is one of the main commodities in the world. Despite its vast cultivation, there remain problems related to its productivity as a consequence of pests and diseases, questions regarding its physiology, and difficulty with its propagation. Due to such challenges, the application of biotechnological tools, such as tissue culture and molecular markers, has become essential in the search for improvements to coffee cultivation. Among tissue culture techniques, somatic embryogenesis is considered the best form of micropropagation in vitro since it is possible to produce plants that are identical to the parent plant. It is therefore essential to identify the genes involved in the process of somatic embryogenesis, as well as to understand their functions. Different studies have shown the expression of ethylene response factor (ERF) genes in different tissues and under different conditions, mainly in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, little is known about their role during somatic embryogenesis. Thus, this study is aimed to identify and analyze the expression patterns of ERF subfamily genes during Coffea arabica L. somatic embryogenesis. The EST-contig6, 9, and 27 were confirmed to be the ethylene response factor 8, 13, and 12 genes from Coffea arabica L., respectively, and their relative expression analysis suggests that they may be involved in coffee somatic embryogenesis. The expression patterns of ethylene response factor 8 and 13 in embryogenic calluses and embryogenic cell suspensions showed that these genes can potentially act as somatic embryogenic markers.

Recent advances in synthetic biology-enabled and natural whole-cell optical biosensing of heavy metals.

A large number of scientific works have been published on whole-cell heavy metal biosensing based on optical transduction. The advances in the application of biotechnological tools not only have continuously improved the sensitivity, selectivity, and detection range for biosensors but also have simultaneously unveiled new challenges and restrictions for further improvements. This review highlights selected aspects of whole-cell biosensing of heavy metals using optical transducers. We have focused on the progress in genetic modulation in regulatory and reporter modules of recombinant plasmids that has enabled improvement of biosensor performance. Simultaneously, an attempt has been made to present newer platforms such as microfluidics that have generated promising results and might give a new turn to the optical biosensing field.

Somatic embryogenesis in Olea spp.

Olive is one of the most important oil tree crop worldwide and great attention is paid on its genetic improvement. Although different breeding programs have been developed, several issues limit their efficiency. In olive, somatic embryogenesis allows application of biotechnological tools, such as genetic transformation, somaclonal variation, in vitro selection or cryopreservation of valuable genotypes, which can be very useful for genetic improvement of this crop. In this review, progress in olive somatic embryogenesis is reported. All investigations carried out on this topic are examined and put together, clarifying possible confusing or misunderstanding details. Main factors influencing the different phases of this developmental pathway, i.e., induction and proliferation of embryogenic cultures, development and maturation of somatic embryos and their subsequent conversion into plants, are also analyzed and discussed. Advances thus far achieved in application of biotechnology to olive through somatic embryogenesis-based systems are revised as well. In this review, progress in olive somatic embryogenesis is reported. Main factors influencing the different phases of this developmental pathway are analysed. Advances in olive biotechnology through somatic embryogenesis-based systems are revised as well.

Biodiversity and medicinal uses of globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) plant

Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) is a vegetable crop native of the Mediterranean basin and it is grown mainly for its immature flower buds. The edible parts of artichoke have important nutrition values to their content of inulin, fibers and minerals. Furthermore, artichoke is recognized as a medicinal plant where leaves and heads are rich source of polyphenolic compounds. It is recommended for the treatment of gallstones, liver disease or damage and poor liver function. The pharmaceutical properties of artichoke are linked to their special chemical composition, which includes high levels of polyphenols such as cynarin, along with its biosynthetic precursor chlorogenic acid. Globe artichoke is characterized by a wide range of biodiversity which represents a prerequisite for genetic improvement. However, there are many factors including biotic and abiotic stresses threatening the genetic resources of globe artichoke. Such factors could result in genetic erosion due to crop failure and loss of cultivars. Therefore, there is a great need to preserve the globe artichoke diversity for future genetic improvement. Because most cultivars are highly heterozygous, maintenance of globe artichoke germplasm in seed form is restricted. Otherwise, conservation in the field presents major drawbacks, which limit its efficacy and threaten the safety of germplasm conserved in this way. The application of biotechnology tools, i.e. plant tissue culture and molecular biology technique can provide reliable methods for supporting the exploitation and conservation of globe artichoke biodiversity. Furthermore, in vitro culture techniques could be used for the controlled production of artichoke secondary metabolites. This article discusses the biodiversity, conservation and nutritional and medicinal aspects of globe artichoke plant.
 J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2019, 5(1): 39-54

Biovanillin: production concepts and prevention of side product formation

Application of biotechnological tools as an imminent basis for biovanillin production was established promising using microbes via utilization of readily available agro-based supplies as precursors, and the process was universally accepted as natural. However, the production process was confronted with certain bottlenecks including undesired product formation, ineffective flow of metabolism, product toxicity, and further product degradation by the microbes, which could result to the dwindling of biovanillin concentration within the process. This review paper outlines the various routes and strategies to overcome these setbacks using fed-batch fermentation culture mode with adsorbent resins, activated carbon, and simply metabolized carbon sources and enzyme inducers like cellobiose and maltose. The review aims to provide ample information for diverse utilization of microorganisms like fungi, bacteria, and yeast with diverse biotechnological approaches and metabolic pathways using various precursors such as ferulic acid, isoeugenol, and eugenol, which could be extracted from readily available and cheaper agro-based materials like maize bran, maize stalk, sugar beet pulp, wheat bran, and rice bran oil for biovanillin transformation. The review could equally help researchers and biotechnology industry to explore the optimization process of the whole systems of biovanillin production via utilization of production strains with more tolerance to toxic effect of both the precursors and the biovanillin in a bioreactor with fed-batch fermentation culture mode together with adsorbent resins, shorter incubation time, and effective downstream processing with the target of reducing the production cost of the biotechnology-derived biovanillin to gain remarkable and higher economic value against the vanillin obtained by chemical synthesis.

Holm Oak Somatic Embryogenesis: Current Status and Future Perspectives.

Quercus ilex (holm oak) is one of the most representative trees in the Mediterranean basin, but now the sustainability of its ecosystems is at serious risk due to the lack of natural regeneration and to the presence of a severe disease called oak decline that has caused the death of thousands of trees. The application of biotechnological tools, such as somatic embryogenesis, allows programs of genetic improvement of the species to be speeded up and helps in the conservation of its ecosystems. Somatic embryogenesis is currently considered one of the main biotechnological techniques that has demonstrated significant benefits when has applied to forest tree species, providing significant advantages such as mass propagation, genetic transformation, application of synthetic seed, and cryopreservation of elite genotypes. In this report, the state of the art of somatic embryogenesis in holm oak is reviewed. Factors affecting the induction (plant donor age, type of explant, or plant growth regulators) and maintenance and proliferation of the embryogenic cultures are summarized. Advances on the conversion of somatic embryos into plants and on the acclimatization of these plantlets, as well as the results obtained on the application of the genetic transformation and the cryopreservation procedures to holm oak embryogenic cultures, are also presented.

Biotechnological interventions in horticultural crops: a brief review

Biotechnology, in the present day context, encompasses a wide range of techniques of employing biological materials and processes to provide useful products. In fact the use of microorganisms for developing useful products for man has its roots from the dawn of civilization. In the broadest sense, it includes the process of making curd, wine, baking breads, breeding plants and animals, production of different biomolecules including antibiotics and so on. However, in recent time, Biotechnology has come to mean to a greater extent the variety of techniques that allow the direct manipulation of genetic materials of organisms. The striking impact of recent developments in biotechnology on plant sciences lies chiefly on overcoming the barrier of natural genetic exchange and fast multiplication of true to the type planting materials. Genes, otherwise difficult to transfer because of inherent barrier are now possible to transfer into newer backgrounds to produce recombinant types. Exploitation of the totipotency of plant cell along with the evolution of techniques of culturing and regenerating plant cell and tissues have revolutionized the modern agriculture in an unprecedented way. Looking back into the recent developments in plant biotechnology and particularly in the area of tangencies we observe much of the developments taking place in agronomic crops i.e. cereals, legumes and oilseeds. Among the agricultural crops, horticultural crops represents the marvels of nature and are playing crucial roles in providing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other supportive biomolecules for life including many medicinal compounds. These groups of plants are also having various types of breeding disadvantages due to complex reproduction behavior. Application of biotechnological tools, in this regard, is of paramount importance in improving horticultural sector than any other sectors in agriculture.

Adaptive mechanisms of insect pests against plant protease inhibitors and future prospects related to crop protection: a review.

The overwhelming demand for food requires the application of technology on field. An important issue that limits the productivity of crops is related to insect attacks. Hence, several studies have evaluated the application of different compounds to reduce the field losses, especially insecticide compounds from plant sources. Among them, plant protease inhibitors (PIs) have been studied in both basic and applied researches, displaying positive results in control of some insects. However, certain species are able to bypass the insecticide effects exerted by PIs. In this review, we disclosed the adaptive mechanisms showed by lepidopteran and coleopteran insects, the most expressive insect orders related to crop predation. The structural aspects involved in adaptation mechanisms are presented as well as the newest alternatives for pest control. The application of biotechnological tools in crop protection will be mandatory in agriculture, and it will be up to researchers to find the best candidates for effective control in long-term.

Understanding Tecomella undulata: an endangered pharmaceutically important timber species of hot arid regions

Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem. (family Bignoniaceae) is an economically and pharmaceutically important small tree of arid regions of India, Pakistan and Arabia. It is well known as ‘Desert teak’ or ‘Marwar teak’ being the main source of timber amongst the tree species of desert region of Rajasthan, India. T. undulata has occupied a reputed position of having valuable medicinal properties in both folk and classical streams of indigenous medicinal systems. Plant is well-known for its wide range of therapeutic activities like hepatoprotective, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-termite, immunomodulatory, anticancer, cytotoxic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, etc. Rohitakarishta, an ayurvedic drug obtained from T. undulata, is the classical compound which is being prescribed in liver and spleen diseases, oedema and anaemia. This well accepted agroforestry tree of the arid regions is heading towards extinction due to its increasing demand in timber and pharmacological industries coupled with negligible conservation efforts. This species has now been designated as “threatened” in Rajasthan, India. Susceptibility to many pathogens and pests is one of the major problems and detrimental factor in successful establishment and growth of this tree. Conventionally, it is propagated through seeds; however, natural regeneration of plants is poor due to air dispersal of seeds to remote areas, extreme environmental conditions during seed dispersal, improper harvest and storage of seeds, and short seed viability. The tree is very slow growing and suitable vegetative propagation methods are not available for its rapid multiplication. Alternatively, attempts have been made to propagate this tree through in vitro approaches; however, it also has many limitations including difficulties in culture establishment, slow growth, low rooting rates as well as field establishment rates. Moreover, little information is available regarding genetic diversity in this species using morphological and molecular markers. Efforts to undertake breeding programs for improvement of T. undulata have not been initiated yet. Some literature is available regarding cytology, role in agroforestry and silviculture, association with vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza and application of biotechnological tools in T. undulata, however, an exponential increase in research publications on identification of bioactive constituents and verification of pharmacological effects has been recorded in the recent past. In this communication, we emphasize the research progress made in T. undulata on various aspects and suggest some future directions of research.

Key Scientific Questions and Recent Advances in Cassava Molecular Breeding

As an important root crop, cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) is not only vital to food security in tropics and subtropics but also the predominant raw material of the starch industry. Ensuring a high and stable yield with better quality is always the main objective of cassava breeders. Nowadays, cassava breeding faces the transition phase from traditional cross-breeding to genetic engineering. Therefore, it is essential to better understand the specific economic traits and biological features of cassava in order to effectively improve the crop through application of biotechnological tools. Unlike cereal crops, the sink/source regulation of photo-assimilate transport and partitioning in cassava must be unique. Moreover, the sink strength of storage root can directly affect cassava yield. As a tropical crop, increasing our understanding of cassava response to low temperature and drought conditions will provide fundamental knowledge to develop useful approaches in its tolerance to abiotic stresses. Post-harvest physiological deterioration (PPD), a unique phenomenon of cassava storage roots being different from other tuberous crops that causes huge production losses, need to be prevented by timely controlling the PPD occurrence in order to extend their shelf life. With the development of molecular biology, study on these issues is drawing more attention to the interested public as well as researchers globally. It is believed that cassava molecular breeding will be greatly promoted by the development of novel approaches derived from intensive basic research of cassava.

Biotechnology and Pharmacological Evaluation of Medicinal Plants: An Overview

Medicinal plants contain a wide variety of active principles that have been exploited for the treatment of various ailments by a majority of the world's population. In recent years, many advanced biotechnological methods are employed to select, multiply, improve, and analyze medicinal plants for their application in traditional and modern medicinal preparations and drug discovery. The purpose of the present review is to focus on the application of biotechnological tools for multiplication and genetic enhancement of the medicinal plants by adopting techniques including in vitro regeneration and genetic transformation and highlight selected approaches followed for drug discovery from medicinal plants.

The commercial red seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii—an overview on farming and environment

Commercial cultivation of the red alga Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) Doty has been satisfying the demand of the carrageenan industry for more than 40 years. For the past four decades, this species has been globally introduced to many maritime countries for experimental and commercial cultivation as a sustainable alternate livelihood for coastal villagers. Accompanying the introduction is an increasing concern over the species effects on the biodiversity of endemic ecosystems. The introductions of non-endemic cultivars have resulted in the adaptation of quarantine procedures to minimize bioinvasions of additional invasive species. The present review focuses on Kappaphycus farming techniques through the application of biotechnological tools, ecological interactions with endemic ecosystems, future K. alvarezii farming potentials in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific, and the challenges for prospective farmers, i.e., low raw material market value, diseases, grazing, etc. The introduction of Kappaphycus cultivation to tropical countries will continue due to the high production values realized, coastal villages searching for alternative livelihoods, and the increased global industrial demand for carrageenan.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – The tools of the trait

The aim of this review is to analyze how our knowledge on the etiology, pathology, and treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has profited from the application of biotechnology tools for the identification of disease markers, the development of animal disease models, and the design of innovative therapeutics. In humans, ALS-specific clinical, genetic or protein biomarkers, or panels of biomarkers stemming from genomics and proteomics analyses can be critical for early diagnosis, monitoring of disease progression, drug validation in clinical trials, and identification of therapeutic targets for subsequent drug development. At the same time, animal models representing a number of human superoxide dismutase 1 mutations, intermediate-filament disorganization or axonal-transport defects have been invaluable in unraveling aspects of the pathophysiology of the disease; in each case, these only represent a small proportion of all ALS patients. Preclinical and clinical trials, although at present heavily concentrating on pharmacological approaches, are embracing the emerging alternative strategies of stem-cell and gene therapy. In combination with a further subcategorization of patients and the development of corresponding model systems for functional analyses, they will significantly influence the already changing face of ALS therapy.

2004 SIVB Congress Symposium Proceeding: Biotechnological progress in dealing with dutch elm disease

Applications of biotechnological tools, including genetic modification aimed at combating Dutch elm disease, are described. In vitro shoot cultures of Ulmus procera (English elm) SR4, U. glabra, U. americana, and U. parvifolia have been established and used as source material in genetic transfer experiments. Biolistic transformation of U. procera leaf material with cauliflower mosaic virus 35S-promoted constructs resulted in transient gusA (β-glucuronidase) expression. Subsequently, regenerant U. procera have been obtained following transformation of stem pieces with wild-type tumor-inducing or root-inducing plasmid-harboring Agrobacterium strains. Genetically modified elms expressing gusA, gfp (green fluorescent protein), and nptII (neomycin phosphotransferase II) genes have been produced using disarmed vectors. Regenerant English elms have been produced following transformation with anti-fungal genes, transferred to soil, and are currently being tested for their ability to resist the Dutch elm disease fungus Ophiostoma novo-ulmi. Future prospects for fighting this fungal wilt using biotechnological tools are discussed.

Genetic enhancement of pearl millet and sorghum for the semi-arid tropics of Asia and Africa

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.), ranking fifth and sixth in global cereal hectarage, respectively, are the most important coarse-grain cereals in the semi-arid tropical regions of Asia and Africa. Pearl millet displays better adaptation to and is grown in relatively more marginal environments than sorghum. Under subsistence farming conditions, both crops have low grain yields (0.5-0.7 t·ha-1 for pearl millet and 0.7-0.9 t·ha-1 for sorghum), although improved hybrid cultivars give 3-4 t·ha-1 of realizable grain yields in better-endowed environments. African germplasm, especially Zera Zera sorghums from the Sudan-Ethiopian border in eastern Africa and Iniari pearl millets from the Togo - Ghana - Benin - Burkina Faso region of western Africa, has proved most useful for the genetic improvement of these crops. The greatest impact of improved cultivars (mostly hybrids) has occurred in India, where the area under high-yielding varieties (HYVs) increased from 6% for pearl millet and 3% for sorghum in the triennium 1968-1970 to 53% for pearl millet and 54% for sorghum in the triennium 1992-1994. During the same period, productivity of both crops increased by 59%, which is attributable to both genetic improvement and management factors. HYVs have now started to be adopted in some of the African countries as well (e.g., Chad, Cameroon, Botswana, and Zimbabwe for sorghum; Chad, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe for pearl millet). The availability of vast untapped genetic resources and continuing yield gains indicate that there are good prospects for future genetic improvement in the productivity of these crops, which can be accelerated with the application of biotechnological tools. Sorghum and pearl millet will continue to be important food crops in their traditional semi-arid tropical areas. Sorghum is already an important feed crop in the developed world and pearl millet has the potential to become an even better feed crop, as it has higher protein content and a better amino acid profile than sorghum. The nutritional value of both crops for food and feed use can be further improved by breeding. Also, through genetic enhancement, there exist opportunities for the development of sorghum and pearl millet cultivars suitable for alternative uses in the bakery and beverage industries.Key words: sorghum, Sorghum bicolor, pearl millet, Pennisetum glaucum, genetic enhancement, semi-arid tropics, Asia, Africa, cultivars, impact.

Improved callogenesis and plant regeneration from immature male flowers of East African highland banana cv. “Nakitembe” (AAA-EA)

Application of biotechnological tools in breeding, germplasm conservation and propagation of the East African bananas (Musa sp.) is limited by the crop’s recalcitrance to somatic embryogenesis. This study was undertaken to establish an efficient callus induction and plant regeneration protocol from immature male flowers in the most commercial and farmer preferred banana cultivar “Nakitembe”. Embryogenic callusing was improved from 2.9% on conventional MA1 culture medium to 4.2% with 500 mg L-1 L-Glutamine, 500 mg L-1 L-Proline and 300 mg L-1 casein hydrolysate supplements. A combination of the three amino acids with Chui N6 salts yielded the highest callusing of 10.2%. Cell suspensions were developed and maintained on conventional MS based MA2 medium. Subsequently, the highest efficiency of embryos germination (up to 80%) was achieved on MA4 medium, supplemented with 2.25 mg L-1 BAP and 0.2 mg L-1 IAA. The developed protocol has been successfully applied in Agrobacterium mediated genetic transformations of this variety.