Golden Rain Research Articles

Floral Visitors of the Golden Rain Tree, Cassia fistula (Fabaceae), in Campeche, Mexico1

Abstract Cassia fistula L., known as the golden rain tree, is a flowering tree that is native to Asia but is used as an ornamental plant in public and private gardens in many areas of Mexico. It is also important for its antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, phytochemical, and medicinal properties. In this study, floral visitors of C. fistula were identified in the urban area of Escarcega, Campeche, Mexico in three public gardens during the month of May using entomologic nets. The insects were preserved with 70% alcohol, transported to the laboratory, and identified to species level using taxonomic keys. In total, 124 insects were collected representing 8 species belonging to 7 genera. Of those insects collected, Trigona fulviventris Guérin-Méneville and Trigona silvestriana Vachal (Hymenoptera: Apidae) were the most abundant, accounting for almost 50% of the total specimens collected. Previous reports list 32 species of insects as floral visitors of C. fistula in Mexico. Our study adds six species to that list that had not been previously recorded: Epicharis elegans Smith, Eulaema polychroma (Mocsáry), Melipona sp., T. silvestriana, and Xylocopa latipes (Drury), which are all members of the family Apidae (order Hymenoptera), and Parachartergus apicalis (F.), a vespid (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).

The insulinotropic activity of oleosomes prepared from various sea buckthorn cultivars in mouse and human pancreatic β cell lines

Sea buckthorn berries contain numerous bioactive lipids such as fatty acids, carotenoids, tocols, and sterols. Among fatty acids, a high concentration of rare in nature palmitoleic acid is characteristic of sea buckthorn pulp oil. We previously showed the potency of pulp oil from the Luczystaja cultivar to augment glucose-induced insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells. Since the composition of sea buckthorn berries varies depending on the cultivar, here we compared the activity of oleosomes from Botaniczeskaja Ljubitelskaja, Golden Rain, Prozracznaja, Maryna and Luczystaja cultivars in two different pancreatic cell lines, a mouse MIN6 and human EndoC-betaH1. Besides the characterization of particle size and ζ-potential, we evaluated the influence of crude and digested oleosomes on cell viability, insulin secretion, and intracellular calcium mobilization. Additionally, the antioxidant activity measured with the 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+) radical cation-based assay was determined and compared.

Tree Architecture and Powdery Mildew Resistance of Yellow-flowering Magnolias in Tennessee, USA

Magnolias (Magnolia sp.) are economically important woody ornamental plants; however, plant damage associated with frost and powdery mildew (Microsphaera alni and Phyllactinia corylea) disease is a major production challenge. To understand the tree architecture and powdery mildew resistance, 26 yellow-flowering magnolias (Magnolia sp.) were evaluated in McMinnville, TN, USA (USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6b). One-year-old containerized trees were planted in a field plot during Mar 2006, with 4.6-m plant-to-plant and 3.7-m row-to-row spacing. The experiment was a completely randomized block design with three single-plant replications. Plant height and canopy diameter were measured on Dec 2016 and Feb 2018, and the apical dominance ratio (i.e., indicating tree architecture) was calculated by dividing the height by the canopy diameter. Plants were evaluated for powdery mildew severity and defoliation using a scale of 0% to 100% of the total plant canopy affected or defoliated, respectively, from Aug to Oct of 2016 and 2017. The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated for the evaluation period of each year. The plant apical dominance ratio ranged from 1 to 3, with ‘Gold Cup’ and ‘Sun Spire’ having the highest value, and ‘Lois’, ‘Gold Star’, ‘Golden Gala’, ‘Solar Flair’, ‘Stellar Acclaim’, ‘Sun Ray’, ‘Sunburst’, and ‘Sundance’ having the lowest value (i.e., relatively round shape). Of the 26 cultivars, Sundance, Sun Spire, Sun Ray, and Gold Cup had the lowest powdery mildew severity (10% to 33% in 2016 and 40% to 60% in 2017), AUDPC, and defoliation. Cultivars Anilou, Gold Star, Golden Pond, Golden Rain, Golden Sun, Green Bee, Honey Liz, Judy Zuk, Koban Dori, Lois, Solar Flair, Stellar Acclaim, and Yellow Bird were highly susceptible to powdery mildew (>80% disease severity) and had the highest AUDPC values. Results of this research may aid breeders, nursery producers, and landscapers when selecting yellow-flowering magnolia cultivars with desirable tree architecture and resistance to powdery mildew.

Identification and pathogenicity of six fungal species causing canker and dieback disease on golden rain tree in Beijing, China

ABSTRACT Golden rain trees (Koelreuteria paniculata) are largely cultivated because of their important ornamental, medicinal, and economic value. However, they are affected by canker and dieback disease to a large extent. To determine the fungi associated with canker and dieback disease of golden rain trees, isolations were obtained from diseased branches and twigs during 2019 and 2020 in greenbelts and nurseries in Beijing, China. Isolates were identified as six species (Allocryptovalsa castaneicola, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Cytospora koelreutericola sp. nov., Dothiorella acericola, Eutypella citricola, and Peroneutypa scoparia) based on morphological features and phylogenetic analyses of ITS, act, rpb2, tef1-α, and tub2. The results of pathogenicity tests indicated that all fungi produced discoloration and Botryosphaeria dothidea was highly aggressive to golden rain tree. In conclusion, this study explored the taxonomy, phylogeny, and pathogenicity of different fungal species associated with canker and dieback disease on golden rain tree and provided fundamental knowledge to improve disease management.

Composition of flesh lipids and oleosome yield optimization of selected sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) cultivars grown in Poland

Sea buckthorn berries contain lipids rich in palmitoleic acid, carotenoids, tocols and sterols, but their composition varies greatly depending on the cultivar and region of cultivation. Therefore, the current study presents the chemical composition of fruit flesh oils of cultivars grown in Poland and compares them with plants grown worldwide. Among tested cultivars, the highest shares of palmitoleic acid were determined in Golden Rain and Luczystaja cvs. Ten grams of sea buckthorn flesh oil provides at least 28% of vitamin A, 50% of vitamin E and 5% of sterols of the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) values for adults. The final part of this study is dedicated to a preliminary study of the optimization of the oleosome yield by the centrifugation method. The maximum oleosome yield can be obtained at a relatively low centrifugal force (below 8000×g), while optimal temperature and time should be laboratory determined for each cultivar.

O resgate do uso de plantas alimentícias não convencionais: atividades na escola de Cerro Branco - RS

Many plants called “bushes”, “innos” or “weeds” make an important economic, ecological, nutritional and medicinal role. These plants or part of them are called Unconventional Food Plants (PANC). Because of the lack of knowledge of these plants by the population, actions are needed to rescue the use of PANC. In this sense, as objectives of the work, it is considered achievement of lectures and tastings of food produced with PANC at the Cerro Branco State College, in Cerro Branco - RS. In addition, at the meeting participants answered questionnaires that sought to investigate previous knowledge about PANC. From the questionnaires it was found that, out of a hundred and thirty-six participants, only nine knew the PANC and that the most recognized and consumed PANC was the blackberry (Morus nigra L.). Regarding the golden rain (Cassia fistula L.), only 40 students know and none consume, showing that there is a need to disseminate information about PANC among the school community, encouraging the consumption of PANC on a daily basis.

ANALYSIS OF A GENETIC COLLECTION OF TOMATO CULTIVARS AND HYBRID FORMS FOR RESISTANCE TO LEAF MOLD USING DNA MARKERS

Background. Leaf mold, a disease caused by the fungus Cladosporium fulvum Cooke in tomato, is one of the reasons for a significant decrease in the fruit yield. The most reli­able and environmentally friendly way to protect tomato from diseases is the development of resistant cultivars and hybrids. The study of genetic aspects of disease resistance in plants is the basis of successful breeding work. Marker-assisted selection of the source forms of tomato is a rela­tively new approach in breeding, based on direct selection of plants for genes that determine the economically impor­tant traits. It allows for the time-saving analysis of breed­ing material. Materials and methods. The present work offers the results of screening more than 30 accessions from the genetic collection of tomato cultivars and hybrids of the Michurinsk State Agrarian University using the P7 molecular marker. Results and discussion. Polymor­phism of the Cf-19 gene of resistance to leaf mold was evalu­ated, and clear reproducible results were obtained. To test the marker, seven hybrid forms of greenhouse tomato were used. The reliable identification of the Cf-19 gene by using the P7 marker was confirmed through artificial infection with C. fulvum . Six out of seven hybrids demonstrated a high level of resistance to the pathogen, which is con­firmed by the originators’ data. A strong lesion was noted on the leaves of only one hybrid. The molecular genetic analysis has shown that among all control samples, only this genotype was a recessive homozygote. Besides, ac­cording to the originator, this genotype is not resistant to leaf mold. The performed test proves the high efficiency of the P7 marker. By using it, 35 genotypes were analyzed. The data obtained during the work show that the majority of the studied samples turned out to be heterozygous. At the same time, homozygous forms were also noted. For in­stance, the ‘Golden Rain’ tomato cultivar has only one 250 bp fragment, which corresponds to a recessive homo­zygote. Four genotypes were found to contain 300 bp frag­ments, which correspond to dominant homozygotes. The molecular genetic analysis revealed a number of genotypes that can be used as sources of resistance to leaf mold.

INTENSITY TRANSFORMATION FOR THE MIXTURE COMPOSITIONS OF THE SOLID LUBRICATING BY LACTIN OF LARGE GRAIN LABA AT 1% EFFECT OF METHACRYLIC ACID

An increase in the average life expectancy of a person, the occurrence of pathology of solid teeth tissues, periodontal tissues, leads to progressive loss of teeth. In connection with this, there is a need for dentures. However, many patients (30%) of the prosthesis can not use them, or use them only when eating and speaking.
 In the practice of orthopaedic dentistry, as a monomer for the manufacture of removable denture structures, methyl ether is often used. Some authors mention "prosthetic stomatitis" in 25-69% of the examined patients and consider the cause of their occurrence the presence of an excess of monomer in the bases of prosthetics.
 Administration of 1 % ether methacrylic acid leads to the impaired differentiation of the epithelium and is manifested by the intensified keratinisation, caused by its direct irritating effect on the surface of the rat mucosa. Changes in the lamina propriety are manifested by the hyper hydration of the amorphous substance. Inhibited secretion, when the cytoplasm of glandular cells is densely filled with the secretary granules, is detected in the akin. Products of secretion in the lumens of excretory ducts have heterogeneous optical density.
 The purpose of the work was to determine the transformation of the intensity of labelling components of the mucous membrane of the solid palm of the fucosospecific lectin, the common golden rainbow bark (LABA), under the action of 1% ether of methacrylic acid under experimental hypo salivation.
 The intensity of marking using fucosospecific lection of the golden rain of the usual (LABA) mucous membrane of rigid palate under the conditions of 1% ether action of methacrylic acid is established. On the 14th day of observation, the intensity of binding of horny scalar receptors decreased to a moderate morphologically manifested by hyperkeratosis for a given period of observation. Investigation of the specificity of the binding of the components of the plate itself determined the constant expression of the receptors to αL-fucose from the side of fibroblasts and amplification to moderate-collagen fibres. The morphological signs of hyperhydration are determined in the plate. The expression of receptors on the cells of the granular, spiked, basal and basement membranes remained constant at the level of the weak.
 At the 30th day of observation in the epithelial plate of the glandular zone of the mucous membrane of the rigid palate of the rats, the reaction from the side of the horny scales remained moderate, basal – a constant weak. The amplification of binding of receptors is determined in the spiked and granular layers to moderate. Morphologically, the thickness of the epithelial plate significantly decreased in comparison with the intact group, due to violation of the processes of differentiation by the type of pareceratosis.

Spatial distribution of vegetation along the environmental gradient on the coastal cliff and plateau of Janggi peninsula (Homigot), southeastern Korea

BackgroundCliffs are a major plant habitat around the coastal area, but in contrast to sand dunes and salt marshes, they have been little investigated in Korea. There are simple descriptions of cliff vegetation in studies on island vegetation, but there is no published paper, which addressed sea cliff vegetation synthetically. Furthermore, the coastal area where this study was carried out was designated as a conservation reserve. Even though, this area is exposed to intense recreational use such as trekking in these days.This study aims to clarify spatial distribution and structure of vegetation along the environmental gradient on coastal cliff and plateau in the Janggi peninsula (Homigot) located on southeastern Korea. Further, this study has also another objective to prepare a restoration plan to protect this conservation reserve from intense human disturbance.ResultsLandscape elements were arranged in the order of sea cliff risen directly on the sea, seashore, coastal cliff, and plateau covered with relatively deep soil in a coastal area of the Janggi peninsula (Homigot), southeastern Korea. Vegetation was sampled at 59 plots arranged from the sea cliff through the seashore and coastal cliff to plateau. The sea cliff, seashore, and coastal cliff, which compose the coastal landscape, were dominated by the seashore spatulate aster (Aster spathulifolius Maxim.) community, dwarf sand sedge (Carex pumila Thunb.) community, and seashore spatulate aster (Aster spathulifolius Maxim.) community. On the plateau corresponding to the ridge of the coastal cliff, black pine (Pinus thunbergii Parl.) community, golden rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata Laxmann) community, east Asian hackberry (Celtis sinensis Pers.) community, sawleaf zelkova (Zelkova serrata Makino) community, and Korean oak (Quercus dentata Thunb.) community were established in the mentioned order along distance from the sea. Stand ordination showed a vegetation sequence from the seashore through the cliff to the plateau, consistent in its overall pattern among sites. This was dominated by topography. There is evidence for the importance also of salinity, drought and of soil depth.ConclusionThe lack of scientific interest in cliffs to date is in striking contrast to the commonness of cliffs around the whole national territory and to the attraction cliffs have had for humans throughout history. Cliffs provide a unique habitat, rarely investigated from an ecological viewpoint. Cliffs may represent an invaluable type of ecosystem, consisting of some of the least disturbed habitats on earth and contributing more to the biodiversity of a region than their surface coverage would indicate. Although this coastal area where this study was carried out was designated as a conservation reserve, this area is in danger of severe disturbance due to excessive recreational use. We recommended a restoration plan to protect this area from such a disturbance.

Review: Implications of vertebrate fossils for paleo-elevations of the Tibetan Plateau

Abstract The uplift of the Tibetan Plateau is an important geological event, but there is considerable controversy about its growth history. Different geological observations contribute to this controversial issue, while data from geochemistry, tectonics, and paleontology further fuel the debate. Vertebrate fossils have provided significant evidence for documenting the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau in the geologic past. The earliest fossil evidence recently collected from the Oligocene Dingqing Formation in central Tibet includes the climbing perch and cyprinine fish fossils whose modern close relatives are distributed in the tropical zone of Asia and Africa. These discoveries not only are significant for the phylogeny and zoogeography of fishes, but also imply that the hinterland of the Tibetan Plateau was a warm and humid lowland at ~26 Ma. The co-existing plant assemblage, which includes palms and golden rain trees among others, indicates that the warm and humid airs from the Indian Ocean could flow deeply into central Tibet, consistent with the inference from the fish fossils. Since that time, the geographical features and natural environments within the Tibetan Plateau have greatly changed. The Tibetan Plateau was consistently uplifted in the Early Miocene and reached an elevation of ~3000 m, which was demonstrated by fish, mammal, and plant fossils. The endemic schizothoracines (snow carps) originated from the Miocene when the Tibetan Plateau turned into a barrier for mammalian migrations between north and south sides. A series of fish and mammal fossils provided unequivocal evidence that the Tibetan Plateau uplifted close to its modern elevation in the Pliocene and developed a cryospheric environment. As a result, the plateau region became the origination center for the cold-adapted Quaternary Ice Age fauna.

LECTIN-HISTOCHEMICAL REGULARITIES OF DIFFERENTIATION OF THE HUMAN PAROTID GLAND EPITHELIAL GERMS

Glycopolymer compounds make up structural and functional basis of cells and tissues of a living organism. The necessity of anatomical-lectinohistochemical examination of the parotid gland in early prenatal period of ontogenesis is substantiated, as the evidences concerning its topography are fragmentary and not systematized, and certain aspects of its ontogenesis are disputable. 35 human embryos and pre-fetuses aged from 21 days to 12 weeks of intrauterine development were examined. Glycopolymers were found by means of treatment of serial sections with lectins conjugated with horseradish peroxidase. The dynamics of prenatal morphogenesis of the embryos and pre-fetuses of the 4th-12th week of embryogenesis expression of glycopolymers – lectinreceptors on the surface of cells, in the cytoplasm and on the basal membrane of the parotid gland epithelial germs and the human oral cavity with its derivatives by re-distribution of glycopolymers are similar, which can be the evidence of ectodermal source of the parotid gland epithelial germ. Immersion of the epithelial cells of the buccal-alveolar pockets into the lower adjacent mesenchyme with the formation of primary parotid gland germs in embryos with 11,0-12,5 mm of PCL and their transformation into the epithelial taeniae is associated with accumulation of sialic glycopolymers (N-acetyl neuraminic acid), N-acetyl-D-glucosamine – specific to Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) and Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA); N-acetyl-2-desoxy-2-amino-D-glucopyranose, screened by sialic acid of ß-D-galactose and α-L-fucose – specific to Helix pomatia (edible snail) agglutinin (HPA), Rhizoctonia solani agglutinin (RCA) and Laburnum anagyroides (Golden Rain shrub) agglutinin (LABA) respectively. These glycopolymers are present during the first 12 weeks both on the cytolemma of the cells of the parotid gland epithelial germ and in their cytoplasm. The results of lectin-histochemical examination of the early prenatal ontogenesis of the parotid gland can form the basis for the work of laboratories dealing with screening of morphological material in order to assess the degree of maturation and prognosis of fetus viability and diagnostics of deviations from normal development.

Repetitive vegetative propagation of first-year sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) cuttings

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is used in beverages, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic products, and animal feeds. Although sea buckthorn has been shown to be easy to propagate vegetatively, currently, there is little information on reliable techniques to vegetatively propagate the plant repetitively within a single year. To address this, three experiments were conducted to study whether season and chilling affected the successful rooting of cuttings. Four cultivars, ‘Chuskaya’, ‘Golden Rain’, ‘Lord’, and ‘Sunny’, were used in the season- and chilling-effect experiments. Hardwood and softwood cuttings from field-grown plants did not root from October to December. The percent of rooted cuttings in January was cultivar-dependent. The number and percent of rooted greenhouse-produced cuttings were significantly affected by length of chilling. Most cuttings were produced and the highest percent rooted when the plants chilled for at least 6 wk. ‘Lord’ had the most and ‘Golden Rain’ the least number of rooted cuttings. This study indicated that greenhouse-grown stock plants were a viable source of sea buckthorn cuttings for vegetative propagation. When combined with field-grown sources, it is possible to produce sea buckthorn planting material year-round.

Fossil climbing perch and associated plant megafossils indicate a warm and wet central Tibet during the late Oligocene

Understanding the Tibetan Plateau’s palaeogeography and palaeoenvironment is critical for reconstructing Asia’s climatic history; however, aspects of the plateau’s uplift history remain unclear. Here, we report a fossil biota that sheds new light on these issues. It comprises a fossil climbing perch (Anabantidae) and a diverse subtropical fossil flora from the Chattian (late Oligocene) of central Tibet. The fish, Eoanabas thibetana gen. et sp. nov., is inferred to be closely related to extant climbing perches from tropical lowlands in south Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. It has osteological correlates of a labyrinth organ, which in extant climbing perches gives them the ability to breathe air to survive warm, oxygen-poor stagnant waters or overland excursion under moist condition. This indicates that Eoanabas likewise lived in a warm and humid environment as suggested by the co-existing plant assemblage including palms and golden rain trees among others. As a palaeoaltimeter, this fossil biota suggests an elevation of ca. 1,000 m. These inferences conflict with conclusions of a high and dry Tibet claimed by some recent and influential palaeoaltimetry studies. Our discovery prompts critical re-evaluation of prevailing uplift models of the plateau and their temporal relationships with the Cenozoic climatic changes.

Performance of Yellow-flowering Magnolias in Zone 6b

Yellow-flowering magnolias (Magnolia sp.) were evaluated for flower color, bloom duration, and growth rate in U.S. Department Agriculture (USDA), Hardiness Zone 6b, McMinnville, TN. Of the 30 cultivars evaluated, all were reported to have yellow blooms; however, tepal color ranged from light pink with some yellow coloration, creamy yellow to dark yellow. ‘Daphne’, ‘Judy Zuk’, and ‘Yellow Bird’ had the highest yellow color readings on the outside of the tepal and would often be among the latest cultivars to bloom. Magnolia cultivars Gold Star, Golden Gala, Stellar Acclaim, Sun Spire, and Sundance had the lightest yellow tepal color on the outside of the tepal. ‘Goldfinch’, ‘Butterflies’, and ‘Elizabeth’ were the earliest to bloom; ‘Elizabeth’ had one of the longest flowering periods. ‘Carlos’ and ‘Gold Star’ were two of the tallest cultivars in the test compared with Butterflies, Gold Cup, Golden Gift, Golden Pond, Golden Rain, Green Bee, Honey Liz, Koban Dori, Skyland’s Best, and Sunsation, which had the least height growth. Trunk diameters ranged from 7.4 to 18.4 cm after 9 years in the evaluation. Cultivars Golden Gala and Gold Star had trunk diameters greater than twice the size of Golden Pond, Golden Rain, Green Bee, Honey Liz, and Koban Dori. Powdery mildew (Phyllactinia corylea and Microsphaera alni) was observed on all cultivars; however, Golden Sun, Green Bee, Solar Flair, Stellar Acclaim, Sunburst, and Yellow Bird had greater than 47% of the leaf area affected with powdery mildew. Over 60% of the canopy was affected with powdery mildew on ‘Green Bee’, ‘Stellar Acclaim’, ‘Sunburst’, and ‘Yellow Bird’. Powdery mildew was less than 20% on both the foliage and plant canopy of ‘Banana Split’, ‘Butterflies’, ‘Carlos’, ‘Elizabeth’, and ‘Sun Spire’.

Research of Influence of Nanotubes Created by Mechanical Activation of Amorphous Carbon on Sprouting of Seeds

Demonstrated the possibility of using multiwalled carbon nanotubes formed by means of mechanical activation of amorphous carbon for the stimulation of crop growth. By the example of pepper cultivar Golden Rain and tomato cultivar Bull Heart showed the efficacy of introducing microadditives in the form of carbon nanotubes to the ground.

Lectin histochemistry of intestinal carbohydrate determinants in representatives of different classes of vertebrates.

Background. Glycoproteins (including mucin) of vertebrate’s intestine play an important role in its protection against chemical and mechanical damage and bacterial attacks. Their diversity was described by many authors, but understanding of their chemical structure remains far from complete. These data can be extended by methods of lectin histochemistry. Objective. To investigate the rearrangement of intestinal carbohydrate determinants in the context of vertebrate evolution. Methods. Distal and proximal segments of small and large intestines of humans (Homo sapiens), laboratory (Wistar) rat (Rattus norvegicus f. Domesticus), rock pigeon (Columba livia), smooth snake (Coronella austriaca), common frog (Rana temporaria), common carp (Cyprinus carpio) that belong to different classes of vertebrates were taken for the experiment. Nine lectins with different carbohydrate specificities: wheat germ (WGA), potato (STA), elderberry bark (SNA), golden rain bark (LABA), locust bark (RPBA), roe carp (CCRA), Phaseolus vulgaris erytroagglutinin (PHA-E), peanut (PNA) and jack fruit (AIA) – were included into the panel. Results. Differences in lectin staining between small and large intestine were more pronounced in higher (human, rat) than in lower (frog, carp) vertebrates. Lectin receptors were more diverse in frog intestine in comparison with carp. Lectin interaction with mucin secretory granules of smooth snake revealed lack of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues and abundance of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine determinants. Conclusion. Intestines of all studied vertebrate species demonstrate high content of secretory mucins that exposed terminal acidic carbohydrates including sialic acid. The diversity and differences in the structure of glycans of the digestive tract of vertebrates is apparently determined by several factors – diet, environmental and living conditions, intestinal microbiota interactions etc.

Metabolite profiling and expression analysis of flavonoid, vitamin C and tocopherol biosynthesis genes in the antioxidant-rich sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)

In this study, phenolic compounds were analyzed in developing berries of four Canadian grown sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) cultivars (‘RC-4’, ‘E6590’, ‘Chuyskaya’ and ‘Golden Rain’) and in leaves of two of these cultivars. Among phenolic acids, p-coumaric acid was the highest in berries, while gallic acid was predominant in leaves. In the flavonoid class of compounds, myricetin/rutin, kaempferol, quercetin and isorhamnetin were detected in berries and leaves. Berries of the ‘RC-4’ cultivar had approximately ⩾2-fold higher levels of myricetin and quercetin at 17.5mg and 17.2mg/100g FW, respectively, than the other cultivars. The flavonoid content in leaves was considerably more than in berries with rutin and quercetin levels up to 135mg and 105mg/100g FW, respectively. Orthologs of 15 flavonoid biosynthesis pathway genes were identified within the transcriptome of sea buckthorn mature seeds. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis of these genes in developing berries indicated relatively higher expression of genes such as CHS, F3′H, DFR and LDOX in the ‘RC-4’ cultivar than in the ‘Chuyskaya’ cultivar. Vitamin C levels in ripened berries of the Canadian cultivars were on the high end of the concentration range reported for most other sea buckthorn cultivars. Orthologs of genes involved in vitamins C and E biosynthesis were also identified, expanding the genomic resources for this nutritionally important plant.

Sprouting of pepper and tomato seeds with the use of multiwalled carbon nanotubes

We demonstrated the possibility of using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) formed by means of mechanical activation of amorphous carbon for the stimulation of crop growth. By the example of pepper cultivar Golden Rain and tomato cultivar Bull Heart, we showed the efficacy of introducing microad-ditives in the form of carbon nanotubes to the ground.

Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activities of the constituents isolated from Koelreuteria paniculata leaves

Methanolic extract of Golden rain leaves was fractionated by column chromatography on silica gel and 18 fractions were obtained. Antimicrobial activities of fractions were investigated against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as quality control bacteria and fungus Pyricularia grisea which causes Blast disease in rice. Fractions showed more antibacterial activity at 0.04 g/mL concentration only on B. subtilis and S. aureus as gram positive bacteria. Also, three fractions indicated excellent antifungal effect on fungus P. grisea. Moreover, in the present study, fractions that showed very good effect on microorganisms were used for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis to identify different phytochemicals.

Divine Love: The Reception of Leda and the Swan Myth in Works by Jewish and Arab Israeli Artists - Contexts and Meanings

The motif of the abduction of a woman is one of the most frequent in Ancient Greek and Roman art. Abductions in mythology are generally portrayed as carried out by a god disguised as a human or an animal, such as Zeus who, in the form of a bull, golden rain or a swan, seduces a beautiful young maiden. These myths have been interpreted from different viewpoints, such as gender, social, political and philosophical. One of the most frequent myths of abduction is that of Leda and the Swan, which appears in both Greek and Roman painting and sculpture. This theme has found many echoes in contemporary Israeli art, and constitutes the case study for this discussion, which belongs to the field of Classical Reception studies. The interpretations of this myth are diverse, ranging from a socio-gender context, to post-colonialism and its relevance to the local situation; to subversives, concerning tradition versus contemporary culture; to emotionality and romantic suffering; and to love as phantasmagoria. These varied interpretations will be examined in the following analysis in light of both ancient concepts and contemporary outlooks, based on literary and philosophical sources.