Large Granules Research Articles

Smaller Aerobic Granules Significantly Reduce N2O Production by Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria: Evidences from Biochemical and Isotopic Analyses.

The mitigation of nitrous oxide (N2O) is of primary significance to offset carbon footprints in aerobic granular sludge (AGS) systems. However, a significant knowledge gap still exists regarding the N2O production mechanism and its pathway contribution. To address this issue, the impact of varying granule sizes, dissolved oxygen (DO), and nitrite (NO2-) levels on N2O production by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) during nitrification in AGS systems was comprehensively investigated. Biochemical and isotopic experiments revealed that increasing DO or decreasing NO2- levels reduced N2O emission factors (by 13.8 or 19.5%) and production rates (by 0.08 or 0.35 mg/g VSS/h) via weakening the role of the AOB denitrification pathway since increasing DO competed for more electrons required for AOB denitrification. Smaller granules (0.5 mm) preferred to diminish N2O production via enhancing the role of NH2OH pathway (i.e., 59.4-100% in the absence of NO2-), while larger granules (2.0 mm) induced conspicuously higher N2O production via the AOB denitrification pathway (approximately 100% at higher NO2- levels). Nitrifying AGS systems with a unified size of 0.5 mm achieved 42% N2O footprint reduction compared with the system with mixed sizes (0.5-2.0 mm) under optimal conditions (DO = 3.0 mg-O2/L and NO2- = 0 mg-N/L).

Starch phosphorylation regulates starch granule morphological homogeneity in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Starch granule morphological homogeneity presents a gap in starch research. Transitory starch granules in wild-type plants are discoid, regardless of species. Notably, while the shape of starch granules can differ among mutants, it typically remains homogeneous within a genotype. We found an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant, dpe2sex4, lacking both the cytosolic disproportionating enzyme 2 (DPE2) and glucan phosphatase SEX4, showing an unprecedented bimodal starch granule diameter distribution when grown under a light/dark rhythm. dpe2sex4 contained 2 types of starch granules: large granules and small granules. In contrast to the double starch initiation in wheat (Triticum aestivum) endosperm, where A-type granules are initiated first and B-type granules are initiated later, dpe2sex4 small and large granules developed simultaneously in the same chloroplast. Compared with the large granules, the small granules had more branched amylopectin and less surface starch-phosphate, thus having a more compact structure that may hinder starch synthesis. During plant aging, the small granules barely grew. In in vitro experiments, fewer glucosyl residues were incorporated in small granules. Under continuous light, dpe2sex4 starch granules were morphologically homogeneous. Omitting the dark phase after a 2-wk light/dark cycle by moving plants into continuous light also reduced morphological variance between these 2 types of granules. These data shed light on the impact of starch phosphorylation on starch granule morphology homogeneity.

Effects of A‐ and B‐type starch granules on composition, structural, thermal, morphological, and pasting properties of starches from diverse wheat varieties

AbstractThe distribution of A‐ and B‐type‐sized starch granules plays a deciding role in controlling the physicochemical, structural, morphological, and functional attributes of wheat starch. Starches of three Indian wheat varieties, viz. DBW 16, WH 147, and WH 542, were fractionated into A‐ and B‐type starch granules and further evaluated for their influence on various attributes of wheat starches using different analytical tools like X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry, and rapid viscoanalyzer. SEM revealed that the size of large granules (A‐type) ranged from 12.6 to 36.4 µm and small granules (B‐type) varied from 2.53 to 7.52 µm. The amylose content was significantly higher for A‐type starch ranging from 26.6% to 29.68% than B‐type starch ranging from 19.20% to 22.38%. The highest swelling power was observed for B‐type granules, followed by native and A‐type granules, and similar trend was noticed for water absorption. Pasting viscosities of A‐type granules were higher than B‐type for starches of all wheat varieties. A higher pasting temperature was observed in B‐type starch granules, suggesting more resistance to swell during the heating process. X‐ray diffraction of wheat starches showed A‐type pattern of crystallinity, variety DBW 16 (27%) showed the highest relative crystallinity and intensities of peaks in comparison to varieties WH 147 (23.5%) and WH 542 (22.4% as observed in diffractograms and well supported by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. Fractionated large granules of wheat starches exhibited a higher gelatinization temperature than smaller granules and native starches for all the varieties. It was also observed that A‐type granules had higher onset temperature comparatively, which suggested that high energy is required in gelatinization due to more ordered arrangement of starch molecules.

Two new species of the genus Trichogalumna (Acari: Oribatida: Galumnidae) from China

Two new species of oribatid mites of the genus Trichogalumna Balogh, 1960 (Acari: Oribatida: Galumnidae), Trichogalumna pseudoohkuboi sp. nov. and Trichogalumna vittateata sp. nov. are described from China based on adult morphology. Trichogalumna pseudoohkuboi sp. nov. can be distinguished from other closely related species by the very small porose areas A2 and A3 on the notogaster, the surface of gnathosoma with large granules, five pairs of epimeral setae and epimeral setal formula 1-0-2-2, wide granular band on notogaster with the central part extending forward, the base of pteromorphs smooth, the surface of notogaster porose areas without stripes and the surface of genital plate with stripes. Trichogalumna vittateata sp. nov. is characterized by notogaster with four pairs of very small porose areas, the presence of longitudinal stripes on prodorsum, and the surface of pteromorphs with distinct ridge-like stripes.

Collagen hydrolyzed extract derived from leather waste as a multifunctional additive for the preparation of granular fertilizer

Effective treatment and high-valued utilization of chrome leather scraps have always been desired by all tanneries, which is of great significance for green and sustainable development of leather industry. In this paper, we first devised a green and effective approach to obtain collagen hydrolyzed extract (CHE) from chrome leather scraps, and then the obtained CHE was used in the granulation of pastoral soil to prepare CHE-Soil granular fertilizer. The results indicated that chrome leather scraps were effectively dechromed with sodium oxalate and then hydrolyzed by a high-pressure hydrothermal method without any chemical to obtain high-purity CHE. When the 4.5 wt%∼12.5 wt% CHE solution was introduced into the granulation process, the granulation rate of pastoral soil was up to 89.8%∼95.6%. However, the effective granulation rate was decreased due to the increase in large granule size (>5 mm). CHE-Soil granular fertilizer prepared by adding more CHE exhibited better surface roundness and more excellent crush resistance. Moreover, this type of granular fertilizer possessed excellent water retention and slow-released nutrient properties. Pine leaf peony cultivation experiments further showed that the presence of CHE-Soil granular fertilizer rapidly promoted plant growth and effectively increased the harvest of plants. This study indicated that CHE obtained from chrome leather scraps could be effectively used as a nutritious additive with adhesiveness to prepare the granular fertilizer for plant growth, which provides a novel idea for designing valorization methods of leather waste.

A new species of the coral-symbiont crab genus Cymo de Haan, 1833 (Decapoda, Brachyura, Xanthidae) from Nansha Islands, the South China Sea.

A new species of coral-symbiont crab, Cymo mazu sp. nov., is described from the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by several unique morphological characteristics, including a smooth carapace armed with isolated spiny granules, chelipeds featuring large spines and granules, and a strongly concave endopodite of the first maxilliped. Molecular analysis using mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I DNA barcodes provides further support for the identification of the new species. The relationships between the new species and its congeners were elucidated through a combination of morphological and molecular evidence. Diagnostic characteristics for differentiation among species of Cymo are discussed, and an updated key to the species of the genus is provided.

Leprarioid lichens and associated lichenicolous fungi from the Commander Islands (Kamchatka Territory, Russia) including a new species Lepraria tiinae


 
 
 Here, we present new records of leprarioid lichens from the Commander Islands, including one species of Lithocalla and six species of Lepraria. Notably, we describe as new to science Lepraria tiinae, which is quite common in coastal biotopes of the archipelago. The main distinguishing phenotypic features of this new species include large granules of the thallus, a well-developed hypothallus, dark rhizohyphae, and the production of thiophanic acid, arthothelin, and dichlorolichexanthone. Additionally, three species of lichenicolous fungi or fungi associated with leprarioid lichens were found in the studied specimens, all of which are new to the Kamchatka Territory.
 
 

Water management can alleviate the deterioration of rice quality caused by high canopy humidity

This study conducted a two-year field artificial intelligence (AI) greenhouse rice planting experiment with different canopy humidity (normal humidity, NH; high humidity, and HH) and irrigation regimes (continuous flooding, CF; drought cultivation, DC; alternate wetting-drying, AWD) to test whether high canopy humidity from heading to maturity deteriorates rice grain quality, whether appropriate water management can alleviate these adverse effects, and the related mechanisms. The results showed that compared with NH, HH significantly decreased the head rice rate while increasing the protein, amino acid, amylopectin, amylose, and chalkiness. Moreover, HH significantly decreased the peak viscosity, breakdown, and number of small starch granules, while increasing the setback, number of large starch granules, relative crystallinity, gelatinization temperature, and enthalpy. Under NH and HH, AWD treatment resulted in a higher head rice rate, peak viscosity, breakdown, key enzyme activities of starch synthesis, amylose, amylopecan, relative crystallinity, small starch granules, gelatinization temperature, and enthalpy than DC and CF treatments, while lower chalkiness, setback, protein, amino acid, and large starch granules were observed. HH increased the chalkiness by promoting the formation of large starch granules, thus reducing the milling quality. The increase in amylose and relative crystallinity further causes HH to deteriorate the cooking and eating quality. AWD could alleviate the deterioration of rice grain milling, appearance, and eating quality caused by HH by improving starch granules.

Surface Topography of PLA Implants Defines the Outcome of Foreign Body Reaction: An In Vivo Study.

The formation of a dense fibrous capsule around the foreign body and its contracture is the most common complication of biomaterial implantation. The aim of our research is to find out how the surface of the implant influences the inflammatory and fibrotic reactions in the surrounding tissues. We made three types of implants with a remote surface topography formed of polylactide granules with different diameters: large (100-200 µm), medium (56-100 µm) and small (1-56 µm). We placed these implants in skin pockets in the ears of six chinchilla rabbits. We explanted the implants on the 7th, 14th, 30th and 60th days and performed optical coherence tomography, and histological, immunohistochemical and morphometric studies. We examined 72 samples and compared the composition of immune cell infiltration, vascularization, the thickness of the peri-implant tissues, the severity of fibrotic processes and α-SMA expression in myofibroblasts. We analyzed the scattering coefficient of tissue layers on OCT scans. We found that implants made from large granules induced a milder inflammatory process and slower formation of a connective tissue capsule around the foreign body. Our results prove the importance of assessing the surface texture in order to avoid the formation of capsular contracture after implantation.

Characterization of the pancreas of common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus): A light and transmission electron microscope study.

The present work was carried out to investigate the structure and ultra structure of the pancreas in the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus). Totally, five healthy adult pheasant were used. The pancreas was assessed using histochemistry and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The pancreas was composed of four lobes: dorsal, ventral, third, and splenic lobes. These lobes emptied into ascending duodenum through three excretory ducts as: ventral duct, splenic duct, and a common duct for dorsal and third lobes. The exocrine pancreas was constituted of pyramidal-shaped acinar cells with aggregation of zymogen granules at their apical cytoplasm. The endocrine pancreas was identified as large islet of Langerhans as α islets and small islets as β ones. No mixed islet was observed. At the level of TEM, two types of acinar cells were distinguished: Dark cells with electron dense cytoplasm, and indented nucleus, Light cells with electron lucent cytoplasm, and regular nucleus. The α islets were mainly constituted by A and D cells, whereas the β islets principally contained B cells and a few A cells. No D cells were identified in β islets. B cells were characterized by their polymorphic granules which were surrounded by a narrow halo zone. The granules of D cells were quite different. These cells contained large spherical granules with lower density as compared to the A or B granules surrounded by a limiting membrane. In conclusion, the pancreas of the common pheasant has a species-specific feature which must be considered in phylogenic studies. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: The common pheasant's pancreas was composed of four lobes as dorsal, ventral, third, and splenic lobe. There were three excretory ducts. Ventral duct for ventral lobe, a common duct for both dorsal and third lobes, and a distinct splenic duct for splenic lobe. The exocrine acini were composed of two distinct types of cells: dark cells and light cells. The large alpha islets were composed of alpha cells and a few numbers of delta cells and small beta islets were composed of beta cells and a few numbers of alpha cells.

Effects of postponing nitrogen topdressing on starch structural properties of superior and inferior grains in hybrid indica rice cultivars with different taste values.

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer management, especially postponing N topdressing can affect rice eating quality by regulating starch quality of superior and inferior grains, but the details are unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of N topdressing on starch structure and properties of superior and inferior grains in hybrid indica rice with different tastes and to clarify the relationship between starch structure, properties, and taste quality. Two hybrid indica rice varieties, namely the low-taste Fyou 498 and high-taste Shuangyou 573, were used as experimental materials. Based on 150 kg·N hm-2, three N fertilizer treatments were established: zero N (N0), local farmer practice (basal fertilizer: tillering fertilizer: panicle fertilizer=7:3:0) (N1), postponing N topdressing (basal fertilizer: tillering fertilizer: panicle fertilizer=3:1:6) (N2). The starch granules of superior grains were more complete, and the decrease in small granules content and the stability of starch crystals were a certain extent less than those of inferior grains. Compared with N1, under N2, low-taste and high-taste varieties large starch granules content were significantly reduced by 6.89%, 0.74% in superior grains and 4.26%, 2.71% in inferior grains, the (B2 + B3) chains was significantly reduced by 1.61%, 0.98% in superior grains, and 1.18%, 0.97% in inferior grains, both reduced the relative crystallinity and 1045/1022 cm-1, thereby decreasing the stability of the starch crystalline region and the orderliness of starch granules. N2 treatment reduced the ΔHgel of two varieties. These changes ultimately contributed to the enhancement of the taste values in superior and inferior grains in both varieties, especially the inferior grains. Correlation analysis showed that the average starch volume diameter (D[4,3]) and relative crystallinity were significantly positively correlated with the taste value of superior and inferior sgrains, suggesting their potential use as an evaluation index for the simultaneous enhancement of the taste value of rice with superior and inferior grains. Based on 150 kg·N hm-2, postponing N topdressing (basal fertilizer: tillering fertilizer: panicle fertilizer=3:1:6) promotes the enhancement of the overall taste value and provides theoretical information for the production of rice with high quality.

Impact of plasma-activated water on the supramolecular structure and functionality of small and large starch granules

Hydrothermal (HMT) and water agitation (WA) treatments using plasma-activated water (PAW) were employed as sustainable methods to modify the molecular and functional performance of small (rice) and large (potato) starch granules. HMT-PAW and WA-PAW treatments resulted in etched and damaged granular surfaces that rearranged the long and short-range crystallinity of the modified starches. Both treatments seemed to predominantly occur in the amorphous region of the rice starch and the crystalline regions of the potato starch, changing the crystallinity values from 22.9 and 14.8 % to 31.8 and 10.4 %, respectively. Thus, the level of the arrangement of chains reached after PAW treatment decreased the ability of rice starch granules to swell (16 to 9 %) and leach out starch molecules from the granules (4.5 to 1.3 %), decreasing the viscosity and pasting profiles as indicated by n and k values. Opposite behavior was observed in the modified potato starches since starch components leached out to a higher extent (1.7 to 5.4 %). The results showed that HMT and WA treatments using PAW are feasible eco-friendly methods for modifying starch granules without chemical reagents. These modified starches could be suitable as functional ingredients or biopolymeric matrices for the food and packaging industry.

Metagenomic Analysis of a Continuous-Flow Aerobic Granulation System for Wastewater Treatment.

Aerobic granulation is an emerging process in wastewater treatment that has the potential to accelerate sedimentation of the microbial biomass during secondary treatment. Aerobic granulation has been difficult to achieve in the continuous flow reactors (CFRs) used in modern wastewater treatment plants. Recent research has demonstrated that the alternation of nutrient-abundant (feast) and nutrient-limiting (famine) conditions is able to promote aerobic granulation in a CFR. In this study, we conducted a metagenomic analysis with the objective of characterizing the bacterial composition of the granular biomass developed in three simulated plug flow reactors (PFRs) with different feast-to-famine ratios. Phylogenetic analyses revealed a clear distinction between the bacterial composition of aerobic granules in the pilot simulated PFRs as compared with conventional activated sludge. Larger and denser granules, showing improved sedimentation properties, were observed in the PFR with the longest famine time and were characterized by a greater proportion of bacteria producing abundant extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Functional metagenomic analysis based on KEGG pathways indicated that the large and dense aerobic granules in the PFR with the longest famine time showed increased functionalities related to secretion systems and quorum sensing, which are characteristics of bacteria in biofilms and aerobic granules. This study contributes to a further understanding of the relationship between aerobic granule morphology and the bacterial composition of the granular biomass.

Localization of oskar mRNA by agglomeration in ribonucleoprotein granules.

Localization of oskar mRNA to the posterior of the Drosophila oocyte is essential for abdominal patterning and germline development. oskar localization is a multi-step process involving temporally and mechanistically distinct transport modes. Numerous cis-acting elements and trans-acting factors have been identified that mediate earlier motor-dependent transport steps leading to an initial accumulation of oskar at the posterior. Little is known, however, about the requirements for the later localization phase, which depends on cytoplasmic flows and results in the accumulation of large oskar ribonucleoprotein granules, called founder granules, by the end of oogenesis. Using super-resolution microscopy, we show that founder granules are agglomerates of smaller oskar transport particles. In contrast to the earlier kinesin-dependent oskar transport, late-phase localization depends on the sequence as well as on the structure of the spliced oskar localization element (SOLE), but not on the adjacent exon junction complex deposition. Late-phase localization also requires the oskar 3' untranslated region (3' UTR), which targets oskar to founder granules. Together, our results show that 3' UTR-mediated targeting together with SOLE-dependent agglomeration leads to accumulation of oskar in large founder granules at the posterior of the oocyte during late stages of oogenesis. In light of previous work showing that oskar transport particles are solid-like condensates, our findings indicate that founder granules form by a process distinct from that of well-characterized ribonucleoprotein granules like germ granules, P bodies, and stress granules. Additionally, they illustrate how an individual mRNA can be adapted to exploit different localization mechanisms depending on the cellular context.

Starch multiscale structure and physicochemical property alterations in high-quality indica rice quality and cooked rice texture under different nitrogen panicle fertilizer applications

The starch multiscale structure, physiochemical properties, grain quality and cooked rice texture of high-quality early and late indica were analyzed under nitrogen panicle fertilizer (low panicle fertilizer, LPF; middle panicle fertilizer, MPF; high panicle fertilizer, HPF) treatments and their internal relations were investigated. Compared to the MPF treatment, the starch granules in HPF and LPF had more surface-proteins and irregular voids for high-quality early and late indica rice cultivars, respectively. Nitrogen panicle fertilization application increased amylopectin medium and long chains as well as protein content, resulting in higher relative crystallinity and gelatinization temperatures. Moderate changes in starch multistructures and physicochemical properties such as branching degree, amylopectin medium chain, and pasting viscosities derived from MPF treatment significantly improved processing, appearance qualities and cooked rice texture. Additionally, the decrease in starch branching, gelatinization temperatures, and granule uniformity along with an increase in large granules, breakdown, and △Hgel under MPF treatment were the main reasons for improving rice textural properties.

Initiation of B-type starch granules in wheat endosperm requires the plastidial α-glucan phosphorylase PHS1.

The plastidial α-glucan phosphorylase (PHS1) can elongate and degrade maltooligosaccharides (MOSs), but its exact physiological role in plants is poorly understood. Here, we discover a specialized role of PHS1 in establishing the unique bimodal characteristic of starch granules in wheat (Triticum spp.) endosperm. Wheat endosperm contains large A-type granules that initiate at early grain development and small B-type granules that initiate in later grain development. We demonstrate that PHS1 interacts with B-GRANULE CONTENT1 (BGC1), a carbohydrate-binding protein essential for normal B-type granule initiation. Mutants of tetraploid durum wheat (Triticum turgidum) deficient in all homoeologs of PHS1 had normal A-type granules but fewer and larger B-type granules. Grain size and starch content were not affected by the mutations. Further, by assessing granule numbers during grain development in the phs1 mutant and using a double mutant defective in both PHS1 and BGC1, we demonstrate that PHS1 is exclusively involved in B-type granule initiation. The total starch content and number of starch granules per chloroplast in leaves were not affected by loss of PHS1, suggesting that its role in granule initiation in wheat is limited to the endosperm. We therefore propose that the initiation of A- and B-type granules occurs via distinct biochemical mechanisms, where PHS1 plays an exclusive role in B-type granule initiation.

Unravelling the resilience of magnetite assisted granules to starvation and oxytetracycline stress

Starvation and antibiotics pollution are two frequent perturbations during breeding wastewater treatment process. Supplying magnetite into anaerobic system has been proved efficient to accelerate microbial aggregates and alleviate the adverse effect caused by process disturbance. Nevertheless, whether these magnetite-based granules are still superior over normal granules after a long-term starvation period remains unknown, the responsiveness of these granules to antibiotics stress is also ambiguous. In current study, we investigated the resilience of magnetite-based anaerobic granular sludge (AnGS) to starvation and oxytetracycline (OTC) stress, by unravelling the variations of reactor performance, sludge properties, ARGs dissemination and microbial community. Compared with the AnGS formed without magnetite, the magnetite assisted AnGS appeared more robust defense to starvation and OTC stress. With magnetite supplement, the average methane yield after starvation recovery, 50 mg/L and 200 mg/L OTC stress was enhanced by 48.95%, 115.87% and 488.41%, respectively, accompanied with less VFAs accumulation, improved tetracycline removal rate (76.3–86.6% vs. 51.0–53.5%) and higher ARGs reduction. Meanwhile, magnetite supplement effectively ameliorated the potential sludge breakage by triggering more large granules formation. Trichococcus was considered an important impetus in maintaining the stability of magnetite-based AnGS process. By inducing more syntrophic methanogenesis partnerships, especially for hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, magnetite ensured the improved reactor performance and stronger resilience at stress conditions.

Effects of elevated nitrogen fertilizer on the multi-level structure and thermal properties of rice starch granules and their relationship with chalkiness traits.

Chalkiness in rice reduces its market value and affects consumer acceptance. Research on the mechanism of chalkiness formation has focused primarily on the activity of key enzymes of carbon metabolism and starch accumulation. The relationship between the formation of chalkiness induced by N fertilizer and rice starch's multi-level structure and thermal properties still needs to be fully elucidated. In this study, the rates of chalky grains and degree of chalkiness decreased with the increase in N fertilizer dosage. This was attributed to an increased proportion of short chains, ordered structure carbon chains, small starch granules, and branched starches, and a higher degree of crystallinity and ΔHg in protein, and a decreased proportion of amylose, large starch granules, and weighted average diameter of starch granule surface area and volume. Application of N fertilizer promoted an increased proportion of short-branched chain amylopectin to develop a more ordered carbohydrate structure and crystalline lamella. These effects enhanced the normal development and compactness of starch granules in grains, and improved their arrangement morphology, thereby reducing the chalkiness in rice. These changes in starch multi-level structure and protein improve the physicochemical characteristics of starch and enhance the fullness, crystallinity and compactness of starch granules, while synergistically increasing the regularity and homogeneity of starch granules and thus optimizing the stacking pattern of starch granules, leading to a reduction in rice chalkiness under nitrogen fertilization and thus improving the appearance of rice. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Identification of Climate-Smart Bread Wheat Germplasm Lines with Enhanced Adaptation to Global Warming.

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is widely grown in sub-tropical and tropical areas and, as such, it is exposed to heatstress especially during the grain filling period (GFP). Global warming has further affected its production and productivity in these heat-stressed environments. We examined the effects of heatstress on 18 morpho-physiological and yield-related traits in 96 bread wheat accessions. Heat stress decreased crop growth and GFP, and consequently reduced morphological and yield-related traits in the delayed sown crop. A low heat susceptibility index and high yield stability were used for selecting tolerant accessions. Under heatstress, the days to 50% anthesis, flag-leaf area, chlorophyll content, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), thousand grain weight (TGW), harvest index and grain yield were significantly reduced both in tolerant and susceptible accessions. The reduction was severe in susceptible accessions (48.2% grain yield reduction in IC277741). The plant height, peduncle length and spike length showeda significant reduction in susceptible accessions, but a non-significant reduction in the tolerant accessions under the heatstress. The physiological traits like the canopy temperature depression (CTD), plant waxiness and leaf rolling were increased in tolerant accessions under heatstress. Scanning electron microscopy of matured wheat grains revealed ultrastructural changes in endosperm and aleurone cells due to heat stress. The reduction in size and density of large starch granules is the major cause of the yield and TGW decrease in the heat-stress-susceptible accessions. The most stable and high-yielding accessions, namely, IC566223, IC128454, IC335792, EC576707, IC535176, IC529207, IC446713 and IC416019 were identified as the climate-smart germplasm lines. We selected germplasm lines possessing desirable traits as potential parents for the development of bi-parent and multi-parent mapping populations.

A tabletability change classification system in supporting the tablet formulation design via the roll compaction and dry granulation process

In this paper, the material library approach was used to uncover the pattern of tabletability change and related risk for tablet formulation design under the roll compaction and dry granulation (RCDG) process. 31 materials were fully characterized using 18 physical parameters and 9 compression behavior classification system (CBCS) parameters. Then, each material was dry granulated and sieved into small granules (125–250 μm) and large granules (630–850 μm), respectively. The compression behavior of granules was characterized by the CBCS descriptors, and were compared with that of ungranulated powders. The relative change of tabletability (CoTr) index was used to establish the tabletability change classification system (TCCS), and all materials were classified into three types, i.e. loss of tabletability (LoT, Type I), unchanged tabletability (Type II) and increase of tabletability (Type III). Results showed that approximately 65% of materials presented LoT, and as the granules size increased, 84% of the materials exhibited LoT. A risk decision tree was innovatively proposed by joint application of the CBCS tabletability categories and the TCCS tabletability change types. It was found that the LoT posed little risk to the tensile strength of the final tablet, when Category 1 or 2A materials, or Category 2B materials with Type II or Type III change of tabletability were used. Formulation risk happened to Category 2C or 3 materials, or Category 2B materials with Type I change of tabletability, particularly when high proportions of these materials were involved in tablet formulation. In addition, the risk assessment results were verified in the material property design space developed from a latent variable model in prediction of tablet tensile strength. Overall, results suggested that a combinational use of CBCS and TCCS could aid the decision making in selecting materials for tablet formulation design via RCDG.