Increase In Total Sugars Research Articles

Selenium nanoparticles induce coumarin metabolism and essential oil production in Trachyspermum ammi under future climate CO2 conditions.

Research on nanoparticles (NPs) and future elevated CO2 (eCO2) is extensive, but the effects of SeNPs on plant growth and secondary metabolism under eCO2 remain uncertain. In this study, we explored the impact of SeNPs and/or eCO2 on the growth, physiology, chemical composition (primary metabolites, coumarins, and essential oils), and antioxidant capacity of Trachyspermum (T.) ammi. The treatment with SeNPs notably improved the biomass and photosynthesis of T. ammi plants, particularly under eCO2 conditions. Plant fresh and dry weights were improved by about 19, 33 and 36% in groups treated by SeNPs, eCO2, and SeNPs + eCO2, respectively. SeNPs + eCO2 induced photosynthesis, consequently enhancing sugar and amino acid levels. Similar to the increase in total sugars, amino acids showed variable enhancements ranging from 6 to 42% upon treatment with SeNPs + eCO2. At the level of the secondary metabolites, SeNPs + eCO2 substantially augmented coumarin biosynthesis and essential oil accumulation. Consistently, there were increases in coumarins and essential oil precursors (shikimic and cinnamic acids) and their biosynthetic enzymes. The enhanced accumulation of coumarins and essential oils resulted in increased overall antioxidant activity, as evidenced by improvements in FRAP, ORAC, TBARS, conjugated dienes, and inhibition % of hemolysis. Conclusively, the application of SeNPs demonstrates significant enhancements in plant growth and metabolism under future CO2 conditions, notably concerning coumarin metabolism and essential oil production of T. ammi.

Efficient pH and dissolved CO2 conditions for indoor and outdoor cultures of green alga Parachlorella.

Efficient pH and dissolved CO2 conditions for indoor (50-450mL scale) and outdoor (100-500L scale) culture of a green alga BX1.5 strain that can produce useful intracellular lipids and extracellular polysaccharides were investigated for the first time in Parachlorella sp. The cultures harvested under 26 different conditions were analysed for pH, dissolved CO2 concentration, and the biomass of extracellular polysaccharides. The BX1.5 strain could thrive in a wide range of initial medium pH ranging from 3 to 11 and produced valuable lipids such as C16:0, C18:2, and C18:3 under indoor and outdoor culture conditions when supplied with 2.0% dissolved CO2. Particularly, the acidic BG11 medium effectively increased the biomass of extracellular polysaccharides during short-term outdoor cultivation. The BG11 liquid medium also led to extracellular polysaccharide production, independent of acidity and alkalinity, proportional to the increase in total sugars derived from cells supplied with high CO2 concentrations. These results suggest Parachlorella as a promising strain for indoor and outdoor cultivation to produce valuable materials.

Physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of Yulingdang jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit at different stages of maturity

ABSTRACT Ziziphus jujuba cv. Yulingdang (YLD) is a jujube cultivar that has been approved as a new plant cultivar by the State Forestry Administration of China. The physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity of YLD fruit were evaluated at seven stages of maturation, ranging from fruit setting to red ripe. The antioxidant activity of YLD fruit was assessed through total phenolics, total flavonoids, and methods including the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging rate, β-carotene-linoleic acid emulsification method, and reducing power. These measures were observed to decrease gradually as maturation progressed. The study also indicated an increase in total sugar and total acid levels, along with a decrease in moisture, soluble protein, and the sugar-acid ratio during maturation. Understanding this information is essential to fully exploit the commercial potential of YLD fruit.

Fermentation as a Promising Tool to Valorize Rice-Milling Waste into Bio-Products Active against Root-Rot-Associated Pathogens for Improved Horticultural Plant Growth

In this study, water extracts from fermented (F), ultrasonicated (US), and enzyme-hydrolyzed (E) rice bran (RB) were evaluated against sixteen fungal plant stem and root-rot-associated pathogens. The effects of pre-treated RB additives on plant growth substrate (PGS) on bean and tomato seed germination, stem height and root length of seedlings, and chlorophyll concentration in plants were analyzed. The results showed that US-assisted pre-treatments did not affect protein content in RB, while 36 h semi-solid fermentation (SSF) reduced protein content by 10.3–14.8%. US initiated a 2.9- and 2-fold increase in total sugar and total phenolics (TPC) contents compared to the untreated RB (3.89 g/100 g dw and 0.61 mg GAE/g dw, respectively). Lactic acid (19.66–23.42 g/100 g dw), acetic acid (10.54–14.24 g/100g dw), propionic acid (0.40–1.72 g/100 g dw), phenolic compounds (0.82–1.04 mg GAE/g dw), among which phenolic acids, such as p-coumaric, cinnamic, sinapic, vanillic, and ferulic, were detected in the fermented RB. The RBF extracts showed the greatest growth-inhibition effect against soil-born plant pathogens, such as Fusarium, Pythium, Sclerotinia, Aspergillus, Pseudomonas, and Verticillium. Beans and tomatoes grown in RBUS+E- and RBF-supplemented PGS increased the germination rate (14–75%), root length (21–44%), and stem height (25–47%) compared to seedlings grown in PGS. The RB additives increased up to 44.6–48.8% of the chlorophyll content in both plants grown under greenhouse conditions. The results indicate that the biological potential of rice-milling waste as a plant-growth-promoting substrate component can be enhanced using solid-state fermentation with antimicrobial LABs and US processing.

BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN LEAVES OF RESISTANT AND SUSCEPTIBLE URDBEAN GENOTYPES INFECTED WITH URDBEAN LEAF CRINKLE VIRUS (ULCV)

Urdbean leaf crinkle virus (ULCV) is a widespread and most destructive virus that causes leaf crinkle disease in black gram. Virus infection causes alteration in physiological and biochemical processes within the plant. In present study, effect of viral infection was investigated on chlorophyll content, total soluble sugar, total protein, phenolic contents, sodium dismutase (SOD) and nitrate reductase activities in the leaves of susceptible and resistant genotypes of urdbean at 30 days after virus inoculation. Disease symptoms were mild (6.7% to 10%) in resistant genotypes and severe (36% to 43%) in susceptible genotypes. ULCV infection resulted in a significant decrease in chlorophyll content in infected plants of all genotypes over control plants; however, magnitude of reduction was more in susceptible genotypes (41%) as compared to the resistant genotypes (14.35%). The total sugar and protein contents were significantly higher in the inoculated susceptible (210.26 % and 68.67%, respectively) as compared to the resistant genotypes (183.87% and 25.89%, respectively). Also, the total phenolic content was significantly higher in inoculated resistant genotypes (83.91%) over the susceptible genotypes (25.89%). There was significant decrease in the activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme in resistant genotypes as compared to susceptible inoculated genotypes. Similarly, a reduction in nitrate reductase activity was more in inoculated plants of resistant genotypes. Our results indicate that post-infection significant increases in total sugars and proteins in susceptible genotypes and phenols in resistant genotypes may have a role in disease resistance and development. Changes in enzymatic activities in resistant and susceptible genotypes might also have some role in resistance against ULCV.

A Seaweed Extract-Based Biostimulant Mitigates Drought Stress in Sugarcane.

Drought is one of the most important abiotic stresses responsible for reduced crop yields. Drought stress induces morphological and physiological changes in plants and severely impacts plant metabolism due to cellular oxidative stress, even in C4 crops, such as sugarcane. Seaweed extract-based biostimulants can mitigate negative plant responses caused by drought stress. However, the effects of foliar application of such biostimulants on sugarcane exposed to drought stress, particularly on plant metabolism, stalk and sugar yields, juice purity, and sugarcane technological quality, have received little attention. Accordingly, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of foliar application of a seaweed extract-based biostimulant on late-harvest sugarcane during the driest period of the year. Three experiments were implemented in commercial sugarcane fields in Brazil in the 2018 (site 1), 2019 (site 2), and 2020 (site 3) harvest seasons. The treatments consisted of the application and no application of seaweed extract (SWE) as a foliar biostimulant in June (sites 2 and 3) or July (site 1). The treatments were applied to the fourth ratoon of sugarcane variety RB855536 at site 1 and the fifth and third ratoons of sugarcane variety SP803290 at sites 2 and 3, respectively. SWE was applied at a dose of 500 ml a.i. ha−1 in a water volume of 100 L ha−1. SWE mitigated the negative effects of drought stress and increased stalk yield per hectare by up to 3.08 Mg ha−1. In addition, SWE increased stalk sucrose accumulation, resulting in an increase in sugar yield of 3.4 kg Mg−1 per hectare and higher industrial quality of the raw material. In SWE-treated plants, Trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzyme activity increased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased. Leaf analysis showed that SWE application efficiently improved metabolic activity, as evidenced by a decrease in carbohydrate reserve levels in leaves and an increase in total sugars. By positively stabilizing the plant’s cellular redox balance, SWE increased biomass production, resulting in an increase in energy generation. Thus, foliar SWE application can alleviate drought stress while enhancing sugarcane development, stalk yield, sugar production, and plant physiological and enzymatic processes.

Pre treatment with Bacillus subtilis mitigates drought induced photo-oxidative damages in okra by modulating antioxidant system and photochemical activity.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12298-021-00982-8.

Essential oils in pathogen resistance induction of Eucalyptus benthamii Maiden et Cambage

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the essential oils of Melaleuca alternifolia, Casearia sylvestris and Eugenia uniflora as inducers of defense mechanisms in Eucalyptus benthamii seedlings. Four mL of each oil, with a concentration of 0.75% were sprayed in E. benthamii seedlings and two bioassays were performed, in the first, the essential oils were sprayed and after 30 days, sugars, proteins, peroxidases, phenylalanine ammonia (PAL), and phenols were evaluated and; in the second, seven days after the first analysis, the essential oils were again sprayed and after three days, the same variables were evaluated. The essential oils of M. alternifolia, C. sylvestris, and E. uniflora sprayed had no significant effects on E. benthamii seedlings after 30 days in terms of total sugars, proteins, peroxidase, PAL activity, and phenols. However, when M. alternifolia and E. uniflora essential oils were sprayed seven days after the first analysis with evaluation after 3 days, an increase in total sugars was observed. After these days, all essential oils promoted an increase in protein levels. The oils of E. uniflora and C. sylvestris also increased peroxidase levels. The PAL defense enzyme not showed increased when essential oils were used. The essential oils of M. alternifolia and C. sylvestris had potential as inducers of defense mechanisms on E. benthamii seedlings after 3 days of their application, what it demonstrated not be permanent.

Nutritional attributes of wheat bread fortified with convectively dried chokeberry powder

Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa L.) has a positive effect on human health, and therefore it can be used as a beneficial component for food (e.g. wheat bread) fortification. Dried chokeberry powder (CP), obtained by convective drying at 50, 60, and 70°C, fortified bread samples by replacing wheat flour at levels of 1, 2.5, 5 and 10%. Bread samples fortified with chokeberry were characterized by a decrease in total starch and protein contents and an increase in total sugar, mineral (Mg, Ca, Cu), and fat components; unsaturated oleic acid was reduced, unlike unsaturated linoleic and linolenic acids. All developed mathematical models for starch, protein, fat, and minerals in bread supplemented with CP were characterized by statistically insignificant residual variances and high values of R2. Z-score analysis showed the optimal segment and total scores of bread fortified with CP. Chokeberries dried at a temperature of 60°C showed the best nutritional attributes. Wheat bread enriched with CP in the amount of 10% had the highest level of fortification.

Correction to: Study of Static Steam Explosion of Citrus sinensis Juice Processing Waste for the Isolation of Sugars, Pectic Hydrocolloids, Flavonoids, and Peel Oil

In this work, citrus juice processing waste (CPW) from a local Florida processor was subjected to steam explosion using a static bench scale reactor at 130, 150, and 170 °C for 1, 2, 4, and 8 min hold times with the aim of identifying conditions necessary for maximizing the recovery of sugars, pectic hydrocolloids, flavonoids, and peel oil. Sugars in steam-exploded CPW, from two harvests each of Hamlin and Valencia oranges, were extracted using water or enzymatic hydrolysis. Hydrolysis resulted in a 32–39% increase in total sugars. While hydrolysis increased the amount of glucose or fructose, it did not necessarily reduce the temperatures and or hold times at which the maximum amounts of sugar were recovered. Peel oil in raw CPW was reduced by as much as 94% using steam explosion and has the potential to be recovered by condensation. More galacturonic acid was recovered at 150 and 170 °C and 1 min treatment time for both Hamlin and Valencia CPW but led to increased molecular weight, suspected to be caused by aggregation, and decreased intrinsic viscosity. The higher temperatures and hold times also allowed vastly improved recoveries of the otherwise insoluble flavanone glycoside, hesperidin, with a maximum yield of 64,611 ppm dw CPW. Other potential value-added materials such as hydroxycinnamates and the health-benefiting polymethoxylated flavones are also recoverable in high percent yields in the water washes after steam explosion. Estimates are provided of the value of these recoverable products in the CPW of the 2016–17 Florida citrus season.

Physiological and toxic effects of selenium on seed germination of cowpea seedlings

Selenium (Se) is considered a beneficial chemical element for plants, but in high concentrations it may present symptoms of toxicity. The present study aimed to evaluate 11 concentrations of Se (0; 0.1; 0.5; 1; 5; 10; 20; 40; 80; 400; 800 mg.L-1) to determine the low and high (toxicity) critical levels to seed germination of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). In addition, alterations in the rate of photosynthetic pigments, lipid peroxidation and sugars during the initial growth development of seedlings were analysed. Seeds exposed to 800 mg.L-1 of Se showed a decrease of 20% of seed germination index compared to the control treatment. The decrease in seedling growth reflected in the increase of total sugars and sucrose concentration in both the shoot and root in response to exposure to Se concentration. There was a decrease in the concentration of leaf chlorophyll, carotenoids and pheophytin from seedlings exposed to high Se concentration. The rate of lipid peroxidation and the hydrogen peroxide concentration in the shoot was reduced up to the concentration of 1 mg.L-1 with subsequent increase in response to Se concentration applied. In the roots, the lipid peroxidation rate increased at concentrations higher than 80 mg.L-1. The highest oxidation rate of the cellular lipid membrane in response to Se occurred in the shoot, due to oxidation reactions in the chloroplast. Degradation of photosynthetic pigments and accumulation of total sugars and sucrose can be considered efficient biomarkers to indicate the toxicity of Se in cowpea seedlings and probably in other crops.

Growth and some physiological characteristics of Pistacia vera L. cv Ahmad Aghaei in response to cadmium stress and Glomus mosseae symbiosis

Cadmium is a nonessential and toxic element for plants that is introduced into the soil via different sources such as phosphorus fertilizers. One of the efficient methods to increase resistance against heavy metals stress is using mycorrhizal fungi. Given the economic importance of pistachio and adverse effects of cadmium stress which are mostly resulted from using fertilizers in the pistachio growing regions, applying strategies to increase this plant tolerance and resistance is essential. In this study, the effect of Glomus mosseae mycorrhizal fungus on cadmium toxicity in Pistacia vera L. cv. Ahmad Aghaei was investigated. Half of the studied plants were inoculated by Glomus mosseae and cadmium treatment was applied by adding cadmium nitrate in different concentrations of 0, 200, 600, and 1000 mg/L to the irrigation water. Mycorrhizal inoculation percentage in control was more than that of treated plants with cadmium. In all control and cadmium treated plants, the length and dry weight of root and shoot were higher in mycorrhizal plants compared to non-mycorrhizal plants. Plants inoculated by Glomus mosseae stabilized more cadmium in the roots and translocated less cadmium to the stems. Cadmium reduced leaf content of chlorophyll, total protein, and phosphorous and also caused increase in total sugar, proline and phenolic compounds in shoot and these effects were less in mycorrhizal plants. Cadmium stress increased the amounts of lipid peroxidation, MDA, H2O2 and activities of (EC1,11,1,7) peroxidase (POD) and (EC1,11,1,1) ascorbate peroxidase (APX), while it reduced the activities of (EC1,15,1,1) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and (EC1,11,1,6) catalase (CAT). Furthermore, the amount of MDA in mycorrhizal plants was less than that in non-mycorrhizal plants. According to the obtained results, inoculation of pistachio with Glomus mosseae affects absorption and translocation of cadmium and increases the activity of some antioxidant enzymes and concentrations of proline and phenolic compounds. These effects resulted in reduction of oxidative stress. Therefore, inoculation of pistachio with Glomus mosseae is suggested as an efficient strategy to improve the plant growth and to raise pistachio tolerance against cadmium stress.

Evaluation of Copper-Contaminated Marginal Land for the Cultivation of Vetiver Grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides) as a Lignocellulosic Feedstock and its Impact on Downstream Bioethanol Production

Metal-contaminated soil could be sustainably used for biofuel feedstock production if the harvested biomass is amenable to bioethanol production. A 60-day greenhouse experiment was performed to evaluate (1) the potential of vetiver grass to phytostabilize soil contaminated with copper (Cu), and (2) the impact of Cu exposure on its lignocellulosic composition and downstream bioethanol production. Dilute acid pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, and fermentation parameters were optimized sequentially for vetiver grass using response surface methodology (RSM). Results indicate that the lignocellulosic composition of vetiver grown on Cu-rich soil was favorably altered with a significant decrease in lignin and increase in hemicellulose and cellulose content. Hydrolysates produced from Cu exposed biomass achieved a significantly greater ethanol yield and volumetric productivity compared to those of the control biomass. Upon pretreatment, the hemicellulosic hydrolysate showed an increase in total sugars per liter by 204.7% of the predicted yield. After fermentation, 110% of the predicted ethanol yield was obtained for the vetiver grown on Cu-contaminated soil. By contrast, for vetiver grown on uncontaminated soil a 62.3% of theoretical ethanol yield was achieved, indicating that vetiver has the potential to serve the dual purpose of phytoremediation and biofuel feedstock generation on contaminated sites.

The effects of phosphorus supply limitation on photosynthesis, biomass production, nutritional quality, and mineral nutrition in lettuce grown in a recirculating nutrient solution

In this study, we investigated the impact of phosphorus (P) supply levels (0.8, 1.3 and 1.8 mM) in two green leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) types, namely ‘Romaine’ (cv. Nader), and ‘Lollo’ (cv. Bionda) grown in a recirculating nutrient solution. The biomass yield of the Romaine type was reduced by 15% at the lowest P supply (0.8 mM) and plants showed reduced photosynthetic function (i.e., net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, quantum yield and electron flow) and increased root/shoot ratio. On the other hand, the Lollo type maintained photosynthetic rates and biomass accumulation in all cases and proved less sensitive to low P levels in the NS. At the lowest P supply, the P concentration in the recirculating solution declined to 0.1 mM and showed a decline in leaf P and Ca concentrations and an increase in total sugar and nitrate content, depending on the cultivar. Also, lowering P supply boosted P-use efficiency (kg biomass kg−1 P supply) in both types of lettuce. Nutrient to water uptake ratios of macro nutrients N, P, K, Ca and Mg were determined as follows: (i) 16.0, 1.3, 9.1, 3.1 and 0.9 mmol L−1, respectively for Romaine, and (ii) 16.4, 1.3, 9.1, 3.3 and 0.9 mmol L−1, respectively for Lollo. The current experimental results suggest that, reducing the P supply to lower levels than those currently recommended for lettuce crops grown in closed hydroponics considerably improves the P use efficiency in Mediterranean greenhouses without compromising yield.

REDUCING CRACKING AND ENHANCING COLORATION AND QUALITY OF WONDERFUL POMEGRANATES CULTIVAR BY SAFE TREATMENTS

Pomegranates fruit cracking and poor coloration of peel and aril are the main problems facing the expansion of its cultivation especially under arid condition in the desert. This study was conducted during the two successive seasons 2014 and 2015 on Wonderful pomegranates (Punica granatum L.). The trees were grown under drip irrigation system in a private orchard at Nubaria region, Beheira Governorate, Egypt. The trees were treated twice at weekly interval by using a hand sprayer to the run off point at the marble size withsome mineral nutrients to reduce fruit cracking. The treatments included: water spray (as the control), calcium borate at 100 ppm, calcium borate at 200 ppm, zinc chelated with EDTA at 100 ppm, zinc chelated with EDTA at 200 ppm and finally calcium nitrate at 1% (W/V). Moreover, to enhance coloration of pomegranates peel and aril, at maturity the trees were treated with the control (water spray), ProTone (ABA 1%) at 100 ppm, ProTone at 100 ppm plus glycerol at 1% (V/V), ProTone at 100 ppm plus potassium sulphate at 1% (W/V), ProTone at 100 ppm plus potassium sulphate at 1% and glycerol at 1% (V/V), glycerol at 1% (V/V) and finally potassium sulphate at 1% (W/V). The non-ionic surfactant Top film at 0.05% (V/V) was added to all treatments. The results proved that calcium borate at 200 ppm treatment was more effective on reducing cracking and sun scald of pomegranate fruits. In addition, the results revealed that the formulation containing ProTone plus potassium sulphate and glycerol had a consistent effect on increasing anthocyanin content in the peel, when compared with the control or with ProTone alone. Moreover, anthocyanin content of the arils was significantly increased by application ProTone along with glycerol or ProTone plus potassium sulphate and glycerol in both seasons. Meanwhile, electrolyte leakage of the aril was similar for most applications. There was also a significant increase in total sugars by various ProTone-containing formulations relative to the control in the juice. Thus, this study recommended applying ProTone in a formulation containing potassium sulphate and glycerol in order to enhance coloration and quality of Wonderful pomegranates in a consistent manner under field conditions.

Effects of cross-pollination by ‘Murcott’ tangor on the physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacities of ‘Qicheng 52’ navel orange

This study investigated the effects of cross-pollination by ‘Murcott’ tangor on the fruit quality of ‘Qicheng52’ navel orange, including the physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacities. There were no significant differences on the fruit weight, juice yield and pH value of juice between self- and cross-pollinated fruits. However, cross-pollination could significantly improve the fruit quality of ‘Qicheng52’ fruits by increasing the total soluble solid content from 11.12 ± 1.02 °Brix to 13.86 ± 1.17 °Brix. The results of high performance liquid chromatography analysis of three sugar components indicated that the increase of total sugar was mainly contributed by the increase of fructose and sucrose. Cross-pollination exhibited no effect on the flavonoids content, while the total phenolics content was increased from 210.09 ± 18.55 mg/L to 298.25 ± 29.10 mg/L, which contributed to the higher antioxidant capacity in the cross-pollination fruit juice.

Growth and histological development of the fruit pericarp in rambutan (Nephelium lappaceumLinn.)

Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum Linn.), of the Sapindaceae family, is a fruit tree that grows in the humid tropics. After harvest, the fruit changes from bright red to dull brown in color and loses commercial value as the pericarp dehydrates. We studied the changes in the morphology and anatomy of pericarp during fruit development. The orchard from which the samples of rambutan fruits RI-148 were taken is located Tuxtla el Chico, Chiapas, Mexico, (lat. 14°58'N; long. 92°09'W; altitude 435 m), with an average annual temperature of 23°C, RH of 85% and 3,100 mm of rainfall. The results showed that the fruit had a sigmoidal pattern of growth, with an increase in total sugars in the aril from 8.7% on day 75 to 14.6% on day 95 after anthesis. The number of spinterns per fruit was constant (328±20), the number of stomata per spintern was about 3200 and about 1.0×106 fruit-1. The increase in length of the spinterns during development of the pericarp provides greater contact surface with the environment, which modifies the intensity of transpiration. Thickness of the pericarp cuticle halved from day 50 to day 100 after anthesis. Finally, the anomocytic stomata on the spinterns and pericarp, tended to stay open for the entire duration of fruit development, and consequently, the fruits experienced an acceleration in loss of moisture, dehydration, and color change (oxidation) during postharvest that shortened their shelf life.

The effect of herbicides and biostimulants on sugars content in potato tubers

The objective of the present work was to determine changes in total sugars, reducing sugars and sucrose content in potato tubers under conditions involving an application of biostimulants and herbicides. Research material included table potato tubers obtained in a three-year field experiment. The experiment was a split-plot design with three replicates. The factors were as follows: factor I – three table potato cultivars (Bartek, Gawin and Honorata), factor II – five methods of biostimulant and herbicide application (1. control – without biostimulants or herbicides; 2. Harrier 295 ZC (linuron + chlomazon); 3. Harrier 295 ZC (linuron + chlomazon) and growth regulator Kelpak<sup>®</sup>SL; 4. Sencor 70 WG (metribuzin); 5. Sencor 70 WG (metribuzin) and growth regulator Asahi<sup>®</sup>SL. Variance analysis demonstrated that total sugars, reducing sugars and sucrose content were affected by the biostimulants and herbicides applied as well as cultivars and weather conditions. Compared with control, a significant increase in total sugars followed an application of Sencor 70 WG as well as Sencor 70 WG and the growth regulator Asahi<sup>®</sup>SL whereas reducing sugars and sucrose content significantly increased after Sencor 70 WG and the growth regulator Asahi<sup>®</sup>SL were applied.

Enhanced ethanol production from sugarcane bagasse hydrolysate with high content of inhibitors by an adapted barnettozyma californica

Bioethanol production from acid hydrolysate of sugarcane bagasse's hemicellulose was studied using an adapted new yeast strain, Barnettozyma californica HNMA‐5. The growth rate and ethanol production were studied by using the adapted and the parental strains in Sugarcane Bagasse Hydrolysate (SBH) and Concentrated Sugarcane Bagasse Hydrolysate (CSBH). The hydrolysate concentration resulted in an increase of total sugar from 34 to 51.8 g L−1 and an approximately twofold increase in nonvolatile toxic compounds like phenol (1.017–2.11 g L−1) in CSBH. An adaptation of the yeast strain to CSBH resulted in improved growth ability and ethanol production, whereas no significant effect was observed in SBH. The adapted yeast showed a promising ethanol production of 4.804 g L−1 after 24 h compared to the parental strain, which produced 1.233 g L−1 after 72 h of fermentation. The adapted yeast could produce about four times more ethanol than the parental strain. In addition, the lag phase decreased from 9 to 5 h and productivity increased 10‐fold. Furthermore, the hydrolysate concentration and the yeast's adaptation were effective methods to improve ethanol production in CSBH. Our data indicate that the new yeast isolate, B. californica HNMA‐5 could be successfully applied to lignocellulosic ethanol production. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1169–1175, 2018

SALICYLIC ACID IMMERSION MAINTAINS PHYSIOCHEMICAL QUALITY AND ENHANCES BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN ‘KIMJU’ GUAVA FRUIT DURING COLD STORAGE

The aims of this work were to investigate the effect of salicylic acid (SA) immersion on the physicochemical quality maintenance and biologically active compounds enhancement of ’Kimju’ guava. The fruit were immersed in water (control) and 2 mM SA solution and stored at 12 ± 1 ºC, 90±2% RH. The observed factors were pigments, total sugars, total soluble solids (TSS), total acidity (TA), firmness and pectin components, bioactive compounds such as ascorbic acid (AsA), total phenols (TP), total flavonoids (TF) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes including peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT). The total chlorophylls chlorophyll a and b contents of the treated fruit were higher than those of the control. The SA immersion did not affect the total carotenoids concentration and TSS whilst it delayed the increase in total sugars and lowered TA content. The fruit softening was delayed by the SA immersion due to the control of soluble pectin increase and insoluble pectin decrease. The antioxidant activity and the concentrations of AsA, TP and TF were enhanced by the SA immersion. The SA immersion also stimulated POD activity but did not induced CAT activity. In conclusion, 2.0 mM SA immersion is an effective postharvest treatment maintaining quality and improving nutritional values of ‘Kimju’ guava.