Chinensis Plant Research Articles

Effect of simulated warming on the functional traits of Leymus chinensis plant in Songnen grassland.

Leymus chinensis grassland in Northeast China provides a natural laboratory for the investigation of climate change. The response of L. chinensis to experimental warming can provide insight into its regeneration behaviour and the likely composition of future communities under warmer climate. We used MSR-2420 infrared radiators to elevate temperature and examined soil organic carbon and nitrogen and soil total phosphorus and determined the growth and physiology of L. chinensis in response to manipulations of ambient condition and warming. Results showed that compared with the control, L. chinensis subjected to warming treatment showed increased soil organic carbon and soil total nitrogen, but no significant difference was observed in soil total phosphorus. Climate warming increased shoot biomass, ecosystem respiration, and ecosystem water-use efficiency and reduced net ecosystem CO2 exchange and evapotranspiration. This result implies that warming could rapidly alter carbon fluxes. The effect of warming treatment significantly increased the contents of glucose and fructose and significantly inhibited sucrose synthesis. However, the TCA cycle was enhanced when citric and malic acid contents further accumulated. The results implied that L. chinensis probably enhanced its warming adaption mechanism mainly through increasing glycolysis consumption when it was exposed to elevated temperature. These results provide an understanding of the fundamental evidence explaining the primary metabolism of L. chinensis in response to warming and suggest the future impact of the terrestrial carbon-cycle feedback on global climate change.

Entomopathogenic Exploration Practicum Test For Mustard Fungi in the Laboratory of Biology Students FKIP-UISU 2019

Utilization of entomopathogenic fungi as biological control agents is one way to avoid the negative impact of chemicals on the environment. Entomopathogenic fungi that have been widely used for biological pest control are Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae, Aspergillus sp., Nomuraea rileyi. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of fungi entomopathogenic in the Brassica chinensis vegetable farm, to find out the entomopathogenic characteristics of fungi obtained from each Brassica chinensis planting soil sample, to know the highest entomopathogenic fungi obtained from the exploration of entomopathogenic fungi and to study the results of biology student learning semester VI in microbiology courses. To obtain the entomopathogenic fungi, an exploration technique was carried out using the insect bait Tenebrio molitor placed in the rhizosphere of the Brassica chinensis plant. The preparation in this study involved taking samples from 5 villages in Berastagi, namely Barus Julu, Persadanta, Rumah Rih, Paribun, and Suka Julu by determining 5 diagonal soil sample points. The results of fungi entomopathogenic exploration from 5 villages in Berastagi, there are 3 genus of entomopathogenic fungi in Brassica chinensis rhizosphere, Metarhizium, Beauveria and Aspergillus. The highest fungi entomopathogenic diversity was obtained by Beauveria fungi with a diversity index of 0.3628 while the lowest diversity was obtained by Aspergillus with a diversity index of 0.0343 overall. The results of learning to students indicate that, the ability of students at the time of the pre-test obtained an average value of 59.26 with a standard deviation of 12.8 while at the post-test students obtained an average value of 73.68 with a standard deviation of 8.3 Based on the acquisition of grades on average there is an increase in student learning outcomes in entomopathogenic fungi submateri.

Physical Characteristics of Tetrahydroxy and Acylated Derivatives of Jojoba Liquid Wax in Lubricant Applications.

Jojoba liquid wax is a mixture of esters of long-chain fatty acids and fatty alcohols mainly C38:2–C46:2. The oil exhibits excellent emolliency on the skin and, therefore, is a component in many personal care cosmetic formulations. The virgin oil is a component of the seed of the jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) plant which occurs naturally in the Sonora Desert in the United States and northwestern Mexico as well as in the northeastern Sahara desert. The seed contains 50–60% oil by dry weight. The plant has been introduced into Australia, Argentina, and Israel for commercial production of the jojoba oil. As a natural lubricant, we are seeking to explore its potential as a renewable industrial lubricant additive. Thus, we have chemically modified the carbon-carbon double bonds in the oil structure in order to improve its already good resistance to air oxidation so as to enhance its utility as well as its shelf life in nonpersonal care applications. To achieve this goal, we have hydroxylated its –C=C– bonds. Acylation of the resulting hydroxyl moieties has generated short-chain vicinal acyl substituents on the oil which keep the wax liquid, improving its cold flow properties and also protecting it from auto-oxidation and rancidity.

Optimization of propagation techniques and timimg for the production of kiwi fruit (Actinidia chinensis) plant at Khyber pakhtun khwa Mingora Swat

Optimization of propagation techniques and timimg for the production of kiwi fruit (Actinidia chinensis) plant at Khyber pakhtun khwa Mingora Swat

Modelling for Determination of Fe Uptake by Brassica chinensis Jusl var. parachinensis (Bailey) Tsen & Lee (Flowering White Cabbage)

The study was conducted to determine the best model suitable for the determination of ferrum uptake in Brassica chinensis (flowering white cabbage). A nonlinear regression model was selected to determine the amount of ferrum absorbed by each part of the Brassica chinensis plant namely the leaves, stems and roots. The Levenberg-Marquardt method was used to perform the nonlinear least square fit. This method employs information on the gradients and hence requires specification of the partial derivatives. A suitable model was obtained from the exponential regression model. The polynomial model was found to be appropriate for leaves, the mono-exponential model was suitable for stems and the simple exponential model for roots. The residual plots and the normal probability plots from each of the models indicated no substantial diagnostic problems, so it can be concluded that the polynomial and exponential regression models provide adequate fit to determine data on heavy metal uptake by the flowering white cabbage.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Water Extract from Galls of Rhus Chinensis and Its Antibacterial Activity

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been proposed as a simple, eco-friendly and cost effective alternative to chemical and physical methods. The Rhus chinensis plant is one of the well studied medicinal plant and its galls find excellent clinical and therapeutic applications. The present study reports the use of water extract from galls of R. chinensis as a reducing agent and formation of AgNPs from silver nitrate solution by a green synthesis route. The AgNPs formation was observed visually by color change and the absorbance peak at 450 nm was observed by UV–Visible spectrophotometer. The shape, size, and morphology of synthesized AgNPs were monitored by transmission electron microscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The face centered cubic structure of AgNPs was confirmed by X-ray diffraction pattern and element composition by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectrum revealed that the presence of components acts as a reducing and capping agent. The antibacterial activity was performed using the agar well diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined by broth dilution and spread plate method respectively. Synthesized nanoparticles were spotted as triangular and hexagonal shape and the particle size was around 150 nm.

Accumulation of dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans in agar cultures and in stationary and agitated liquid cultures of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill

Schisandra chinensis plant in vitro cultures were maintained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 3 mg/l 6-benzyladenine (BA) and 1 mg/l 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) in an agar system and also in two different liquid systems: stationary and agitated. Liquid cultures were grown in batch (30 and 60 days) and fed-batch modes. In the methanolic extracts from lyophilized biomasses and in the media, quantification of fourteen dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans identified based on co-chromatography with authentic standards using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and/or liquid chromatography with diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-ESI-MS) methods. For comparison purposes, phytochemical analyses were performed of lignans in the leaves and fruits of the parent plant. The main lignans detected in the biomass extracts from all the tested systems were schisandrin (max. 65.62 mg/100 g dry weight (DW)), angeloyl-/tigloylgomisin Q (max. 49.73 mg/100 g DW), deoxyschisandrin (max. 43.65 mg/100 g DW), and gomisin A (max. 34.36 mg/100 g DW). The highest total amounts of lignans in the two tested stationary systems were found in extracts from the biomass harvested after 30 days of batch cultivation: 237.86 mg/100 g DW and 274.65 mg/100 g DW, respectively. In the agitated culture, the total content reached a maximum value of 244.80 mg/100 g DW after 60 days of the fed-batch mode of cultivation. The lignans were not detected in the media. This is the first report which documents the potential usefulness of S. chinensis shoot cultures cultivated in liquid systems for practical purposes.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00253-015-7230-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Green synthesis of fluorescent carbon nanoparticles from lychee (Litchi chinensis) plant

Fluorescent carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) were prepared from waste lychee peel by hydrothermal process using green chemistry. These CNPs were characterized by UV-vis absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction. Their morphology was analyzed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. Spherical carbon nanoparticles with a particle size ranging from 40–70 nm were observed. FTIR data indicated that these CNPs were functionalized with hydroxyl and carboxylic or carbonyl group. The maximum fluorescence intensity for these CNPs was observed on the excitation wavelength at 365 nm with emission maxima centered at 450 nm. These particles exhibited excitation wavelength dependent fluorescence emission spectra. CNPs were found to be highly fluorescent and exhibited high water solubility. The band gap was estimated to be 3.8 eV. Therefore, as prepared CNPs would be useful in bioimaging, biolabeling and in the other applications of nanobiotechnology.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Salacia chinensis: Characterization and its Antibacterial Activity

The aim of the present research work was to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Salacia chinensis plant extract and to evaluate its antibacterial activity. AgNPs were successfully synthesized and formation of AgNPs was confirmed by visual color change and UV (ultraviolet) spectroscopy. Prepared AgNPs were purified and characterized by using dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDAX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV peak at 434 nm confirmed the formation of AgNPs. DLS studies showed that AgNPs size prepared in all conditions were in the range of 100–200 nm. XRD studies revealed crystalline nature of AgNPs. EDAX studies confirmed the presence of silver in colloidal dispersion and images were recorded by using SEM and TEM. Synthesized AgNPs were found to be effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In conclusion, AgNPs could serve as a good alternative in treatment of bacterial infections in this era of multidrug resistance.

Development of a standardized and effect-optimized herbal extract of Wedelia chinensis for prostate cancer

Herbal medicine is a popular complementary or alternative treatment for prostate cancer. Wedelia chinensis has at least three active compounds, wedelolactone, luteolin, and apigenin synergistically inhibiting prostate cancer cell growth in vitro. Here, we report a systematic study to develop a standardized and effect-optimized herbal extract, designated as W. chinensis extract (WCE) to facilitate its future scientific validation and clinical use. Ethanolic extract of dried W. chinensis plant was further condensed, acid hydrolyzed, and enriched with preparative chromatography. The chemical compositions of multiple batches of the standardized preparation WCE were quantified by LC/MS/MS, and biological activities were analyzed by in vitro and in vivo assays. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetics of the holistic WCE were compared with the combination of the equivalent principal active compounds through oral administration. The results indicated that quantitative chemical assay and PSA (prostate-specific antigen)-reporter assay together are suitable to measure the quality and efficacy of a standardized Wedelia extract on a xenograft tumor model. The presence of minor concomitant compounds in WCE prolonged the systemic exposure to the active compounds, thus augmented the anti-tumor efficacy of WCE. In conclusion, a combination of LC/MS/MS and PSA reporter assay is suitable to qualify a standardized preparation of WCE. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetics and oral bioavailability of active compounds demonstrate that holistic WCE exerted additional pharmacological synergy beyond the multi-targeted therapeutic effects caused by more than one active compound. WCE merits a higher priority to be studied for use in prostate cancer treatment.

Allelopathic potential of Rhus chinensis on seedling growth of radish, semen cassiae and black soyabean

The allelopathic potential of Rhus chinensis Mill on seedling growth of radish (Raphanus sativus L.), semen cassiae (seed of Cassia obtusifolia L.) and black soyabean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] was investigated under laboratory conditions. The water extracts of seed, leaf and bark of R. chinensis inhibited the germination and the growth of roots and shoots of radish, semen cassiae, and black soyabean. Significant increasing reductions in the germination and growth of roots and shoots were observed as the concentration of water extract increased in all bioassays. The order of allelopathic potentials of the three parts from R. chinensis plant on seed germination of these receptors was leaf > seed > bark. However, the inhibition of water extracts from R. chinensis seed on root activity of semen cassiae was more severe than from the other two parts. The allelopathic potential on the germination of radish was higher than that of black soyabean and semen cassiae. The integrated effect index for allelopathic potential of water extracts of leaf of R. chinensis on radish, semen cassiae and black soyabean seedling growth were −0.88, −0.93 and −0.98 respectively. The results suggested that it is important to minimize the negative allelopathic potential of R. chinensis in agroforestry systems, and to exploit this traditional Chinese medicinal tree for the production of natural bio-pesticides.

Viability characterization of Taxus chinensis plant cell suspension cultures by rapid colorimetric- and image analysis-based techniques

For the commercially established process of paclitaxel production with Taxus chinensis plant cell culture, the size of plant cell aggregates and phenotypic changes in coloration during cultivation have long been acknowledged as intangible parameters. So far, the variability of aggregates and coloration of cells are challenging parameters for any viability assay. The aim of this study was to investigate simple and non-toxic methods for viability determination of Taxus cultures in order to provide a practicable, rapid, robust and reproducible way to sample large amounts of material. A further goal was to examine whether Taxus aggregate cell coloration is related to general cell viability and might be exploited by microscopy and image analysis to gain easy access to general cell viability. The Alamar Blue assay was found to be exceptionally eligible for viability estimation. Moreover, aggregate coloration, as a morphologic attribute, was quantified by image analysis and found to be a good and traceable indicator of T. chinensis viability.

Wedelia chinensisInhibits Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma CNE-1 Cell Growth by Inducing G2/M Arrest in a Chk1-Dependent Pathway

Although Wedelia chinensis, an herb in traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used for the treatment of inflammation, the effects of W. chinensis on cancer cell growth and the related molecular mechanisms behind these effects have largely remained unexplored to date. In the present study, W. chinensis plant extracts were obtained using either ethanol (E), petroleum ether (PE), ethyl acetate (EA) or butyl alcohol (BA). Then, extracts were examined for bioactivity in vitro via MTT assay in five human cancer cell lines. Our results showed that one subfraction of the EA extract (EA6) was cytotoxic to nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) CNE-1 cells, among all cell lines evaluated. Treatment of CNE-1 cells with EA6 resulted in significant G2/M cell cycle arrest and modest apoptosis. EA6 induced Chk1 activation and inhibition of Chk1 in CNE-1 cells by RNA interference (RNAi) markedly abrogated EA6-mediated G2/M arrest and abolished EA6-induced cytotoxicity. EA6 treatment resulted in notable reduction of c-myc expression in CNE-1 cells, whereas silencing Chk1 inhibited such effects of EA6. Our results indicate that Chk1 is a novel molecular target of EA6 in NPC cells and also suggest an intervention strategy for NPC by EA6 exploring its molecular mechanisms of action.

Soil organic carbon of degraded wetlands treated with freshwater in the Yellow River Delta, China

Supplying freshwater is one of the important methods to help restore degraded wetlands. Changes in soil properties and plant community biomass were evaluated by comparing sites with freshwater treatment versus reference sites following freshwater addition to wetlands of the Yellow River Delta for 7 years. The results indicated that soil organic carbon (SOC) was significantly increased in all wetland sites that were treated with freshwater compared to the reference sites. The treatment wetlands had greater total nitrogen (TN), lower pH and electrical conductivity and higher water content in the soil compared to the reference wetlands. In general, the upper soil layer (0–20 cm) had greater SOC than the lower soil layer (20–40 cm). The increase of SOC in the freshwater reintroduction wetlands was higher in the Suaeda salsa plant community (mean ± standard error) (6.89 ± 0.63 g/kg) and Phragmites communis plant community (4.11 ± 0.12 g/kg) than in the Tamarix chinensis plant community (1.40 ± 0.31 g/kg) in the upper soil layer. The differences were especially marked between the treated and reference wetlands for SOC and TN in the P. communis plant communities. The C:N ratio of the soil was significantly greater in the treated compared to the reference wetlands for the S. salsa plant community. Although the C: N ratios increased after treatment, they were all <25 suggesting that N availability was not limiting soil organic matter decomposition. Our results indicate that freshwater addition and the concomitant increase in soil moisture content enhances the accumulation of SOC in the Yellow River Delta.

Diet composition, herbage intake and digestibility in Inner Mongolian Cashmere goats grazing on native Leymus chinensis plant communities

The botanical composition, intake and digestibility of the diet selected by Inner Mongolian Cashmere goats grazing on a native Leymus chinensis plant community were measured in two grazing periods (June and August) using the n-alkane markers. In each grazing period, 48 Inner Mongolian Cashmere goats (24 wethers and 24 does with an average live weight of 22.1 ± 1.2 kg and 19.6 ± 0.8 kg, respectively) were divided in two groups (G1: grazing group; G2: cage-fed group) of 24 animals each. Based on the observation of G1 grazing behaviour, G2 goats were fed on herbage obtained by a simulative method and were housed in metabolism cages to determine the alkane faecal recoveries. Diet composition was estimated by comparing the odd-chain n-alkane pattern (C 25–C 35) of the selected plant species with the n-alkane faecal concentrations, corrected for their incomplete faecal recovery. The alkane pair C 32:C 33 and C 36 alkane were used to estimate intake and diet digestibility, respectively. The results showed that the increase of herbage availability from June to August, resulted in higher ( P < 0.05) DM, CP, ME, ADF and NDF intake of both wethers and does, with no evident changes in ADF and NDF intake in does., The intake of nutrients differed significantly between wethers and does in both experimental periods, except for NDF in EP1 and ME in EP2. Differences between grazing seasons and goats' sex in nutrients digestibility were not observed. Diet composition indicated seasonal differences, being Sonchus brachyotus, Artemisia frigida and Phragmites communis the main components of the diet in June. However, Suaeda corniculata, Chloris virgata, Xanthium sibiricum and Echinochloa crusgalli became the main diet components in August. Moreover, the sex affected significantly the diet choices in both grazing periods.

Micropropagation of kiwi Actinidia chinensis

Shoot tip of Actinidia chinensis plant were excised and sterilized with mercuric chloride (Hgcl2) at concentration 0.1% for 5 min, then cultured on MS medium supplemented with benzeladinine BA at concentration (0.0,0.5,1.0,2.0,2.5) mg/l in multiplication stage Moreover, indole butyric acid IBA at concentration (0.0, 0.5,1.0,2.0,4.0) mg/l and (0.0,0.5,1.0,2.0) mg/l on solid and liquid solution media respectively in rooting stage were studied. All experiments have done under controlled conditions (25 ±2) Cº and 1000Lux light intensity for 16 hrs / day. Results revealed that supplementing the media with BA at concentrations 2.0 and2.5 mg/l was superior to give highest rate of shoot and number of leaves reached 5.8 /explant and 6.0 leaves respectively. While control treatment gave highest rate of shoot lengths reached 1.99cm Moreover, including liquid media with 2.0 mg/l IBA gave highest rooting percentage(100% )as compared with the same concentration of IBA which gave rooting percentage reached 90% . Results of Acclimatization stage showed that addition of 1:1 peatmos and loamy soil was superior to give highest rate of success( 100%) after 4 weeks of acclimatization .

Analysis of the Active Compounds in Different Parts of the Schisandra chinensis Plant by Means of Pyrolysis-GC/MS

Different parts of the S. chinensis tree (seeds, seed shells, fruits, leaves, and shoots) were characterized by means of analytical pyrolysis – gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The samples were pyrolyzed at 350°C leading to the evaporation of the thermally stable lignans. Besides the quantification of the lignans deoxyschisandrin, gomisin N, schisandrin, wuweizisu C, gomisin A, and angeloylgomisin H, further information about the composition of the plant parts, such as lignin, terpene, fatty acid, and carbohydrate content, could be obtained. The results were compared to the ones obtained by supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide as well as literature data and were found to match.

Effect of Different Media and Timing Factor on Rooting of Litchi (Litchi chinensis) Plant Through Air Layering

Effect of Different Media and Timing Factor on Rooting of Litchi (Litchi chinensis) Plant Through Air Layering

Purification of a jojoba embryo fatty acyl-coenzyme A reductase and expression of its cDNA in high erucic acid rapeseed.

The jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) plant produces esters of long-chain alcohols and fatty acids (waxes) as a seed lipid energy reserve. This is in contrast to the triglycerides found in seeds of other plants. We purified an alcohol-forming fatty acyl-coenzyme A reductase (FAR) from developing embryos and cloned the cDNA encoding the enzyme. Expression of a cDNA in Escherichia coli confers FAR activity upon those cells and results in the accumulation of fatty alcohols. The FAR sequence shows significant homology to an Arabidopsis protein of unknown function that is essential for pollen development. When the jojoba FAR cDNA is expressed in embryos of Brassica napus, long-chain alcohols can be detected in transmethylated seed oils. Resynthesis of the gene to reduce its A plus T content resulted in increased levels of alcohol production. In addition to free alcohols, novel wax esters were detected in the transgenic seed oils. In vitro assays revealed that B. napus embryos have an endogenous fatty acyl-coenzyme A: fatty alcohol acyl-transferase activity that could account for this wax synthesis. Thus, introduction of a single cDNA into B. napus results in a redirection of a portion of seed oil synthesis from triglycerides to waxes.