Pigment Compounds Research Articles

Metabolite Profiling and Association Analysis of Leaf Tipburn in Heat-Tolerant Bunching Onion Varieties

The bunching onion is an important leafy vegetable, prized for its distinctive flavor and color. It is consumed year-round in Japan, where a stable supply is essential. However, in recent years, the challenges posed by climate change and global warming have resulted in adverse effects on bunching onions, including stunted growth, discoloration, and the development of leaf tipburn, threatening both crop quality and yield. Furthermore, as bunching onion belongs to the Allium genus, which includes globally significant vegetables such as onion and garlic, studying the impact of climate change on bunching onion serves as an ideal model. The insights gained can also be applied to other crops and regions. This study investigates the effects of different summer growth conditions on the metabolite profile of heat-tolerant bunching onions with dark green leaf blade coloration and examines their association with leaf tipburn. Pigment compound quantification, functional component analysis, leaf tipburn rate assessment, and widely targeted metabolome profiling were performed across two commercial F1 varieties, one purebred variety, and six Yamaguchi Prefecture-bred F1 lines under different growing conditions. The results obtained were subjected to comparative analyses based on the varieties and groups classified by high and low leaf tipburn rates. The results revealed that β-carotene accumulation peaked with May sowing and July harvest, while the highest accumulation of other pigment compounds was observed with May sowing and September harvest. Additionally, metabolome analysis related to leaf tipburn rates identified several organosulfur compounds, with gamma-glutamyl-propenyl cysteine sulfoxide emerging as one of the key compounds. Based on the intensity data, the fold change of this metabolite was calculated to be 1.66, indicating an increase in the leaf tipburn group compared to the control group. In the control groups, organosulfur compounds appeared to undergo turnover in preparation for stress response. In contrast, in the leaf tipburn groups, it is hypothesized that organosulfur compounds were converted into precursors of pungency, resulting in inadequate responses to stress. This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms through which organosulfur compounds transition into pungent compounds and to develop varieties with improved resistance to leaf tipburn.

Screening of Nutritionally Important Components in Standard and Ancient Cereals.

Sustainable nutrition and food production involve dietary habits and farming systems which are eco-friendly, created to provide highly nutritious staple crops which could serve as a functional food at the same time. This research sought to provide a comprehensive analysis of whole-grain cereals, and some ancient grains toward important macro- (protein), micro-nutrients (mineral elements), and bioactive compounds, such as dietary fiber (arabinoxylan and β-glucan) and antioxidants (phytic acid, total glutathione, yellow pigment, and phenolic compounds) to provide functionality in a sustainable diet. Genotypes, such as durum wheat, triticale, spelt, emmer wheat, and barley, could be considered important and sustainable sources of protein (ranging 11.10-15.00%), as well as prebiotic fiber (β-glucan and arabinoxylan, ranging 0.11-4.59% and 0.51-6.47%, respectively), essential elements, and various antioxidants. Ancient grains can be considered as a source of highly available essential elements. Special attention should be given to the Cimmyt spelt 1, which is high in yellow pigment (5.01 μg·g-1) and has a capacity to reduce DPPH radicals (186.2 µmol TE·g-1), particularly Zn (70.25 mg·kg-1). The presence of phenolics, dihydro-p-coumaric acid, naringin, quercetin, epicatechin in grains of oats (Sopot), as well as catechin in barley grains (Apolon and Osvit) underline their unique chemical profile, making them a desirable genetic pool for breeding genotypes. This research provides a comprehensive assessment of different nutritional aspects of various cereals (some of which are commonly used, while the others are rarely used in diet), indicating their importance as nutraceuticals. It also provides a genetic background that could be translated the genotypes with even more profound effects on human health.

Description of Risk Factors Affecting Neonatal Jaundice

Background: Bilirubin is a chemical compound that is a product of catabolism by biliverdin reductase. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment compound. Increased bilirubin levels in babies' blood will cause neonatal jaundice and changes in skin and sclera color in babies. This study aims to determine the risk factors that influence neonatal jaundice Methods: This research used correlational analytical observational research with a cross-sectional design, using medical records of birth and jaundice babies at Gatot Subroto Army Hospital, Hermina Depok Hospital, and Hermina Kemayoran Hospital in the period January 2023 - June 2023. The total sample was 300 samples. The research instruments and materials used in this study were medical records of babies experiencing jaundice at Gatot Subroto Army Hospital, Hermina Depok Hospital, and Hermina Kemayoran Hospital. Results: Based on data analysis of several factors that have the potential to have a relationship with Neonatal Jaundice, namely: gender, type of delivery, birth weight, consumption of breast milk/formula milk, and gestational age, the results of data analysis were obtained using chi-square where for the gender factor the value was obtained. p_value 0.000 < 0.005, meaning that there is a significant relationship between gender and neonatal jaundice; for the type of delivery factor, the p-value was 0.188 < 0.005, meaning that there was no significant relationship between the type of delivery and the incidence of Neonatal Jaundice; For the birth weight factor, data was obtained with a p-value of 0.118 > 0.005, meaning that there was no significant relationship between birth weight and neonatal jaundice; Factors of consumption of breast milk/milk//formula milk on neonatal jaundice; Furthermore, the maternal gestational age factor has a p-value of 0.494>0.005, meaning that there is no significant relationship between the maternal gestational age factor and neonatal jaundice. Conclusions: Of the six factors studied, two factors have a significant relationship to neonatal jaundice, namely gender and consumption of breast milk/formula milk Keywords: Bilirubin, Neonatal Jaundice, Risk Factors

Optimization, characterization and biosafety of carotenoids produced from whey using Micrococcus luteus

This study aimed to optimize the production of carotenoid pigments from Micrococcus luteus (ATCC 9341) through the statistical screening of media components and the characterization of antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytogenetic and cytotoxic activities. A BOX-Behnken design was used to assess the effects of whey concentration, inoculum size, pH, temperature, and agitation speed on carotenoid yield. The optimum combination increased production to 2.19 g/L, with a productivity of 0.045 g L-1 h−1 and a productivity yield of 0.644 g/g, as confirmed by an observed carotene production of 2.19 g/L. The final response surface model fitting the data had an R2 of 0.9461. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified 12 carotenoid pigment compounds produced by M. luteus. The extracts displayed moderate antimicrobial efficacy against Gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus cereus (ATCC 11778), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), and E. faecalis (ATCC 19433), with inhibition zone diameters (IZD) of 29.0, 14.0, and 37.0 mm, respectively, at 1000 μg/mL. However, its effectiveness against Gram-negative bacteria is limited. In comparison, tetracycline exhibited greater antimicrobial potency. The IC50 value of carotenoids was used to indicate the antioxidant activity. IC50 value from the DPPH assay was 152.80 mg/100mL. An IC50 cytotoxicity value greater than 300 μg/mL was found against normal mouse liver cells, with over 68% cell viability even at 300 μg/mL, indicating low toxicity. Histological structure studies revealed normal myocardial muscle tissue, lung tissue, and kidney tissue sections, whereas liver tissue sections revealed ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes and disorganization of hepatic cords. Cytogenetic parameters revealed that the carotene treatment group had a mitotic index (70%) lower than that of the control but higher than that of the positive control, mitomycin, and did not substantially increase numerical (1.2%) or structural aberrations compared with those of the control, suggesting a lack of genotoxic effects under the experimental conditions. In conclusion, optimized culture conditions enhanced carotenoid yields from M. luteus, and the extracts displayed promising bioactivity as moderate antibiotics against certain gram-positive bacteria and as antioxidants. The high IC50 values demonstrate biosafety. Overall, this bioprocess for enhanced carotenoid production coupled with bioactivity profiling and low cytotoxicity support the application of M. luteus carotenoids.

Chlorella vulgaris-mediated bioremediation of food and beverage wastewater from industries in Mexico: Results and perspectives towards sustainability and circular economy

The food and beverage industries in Mexico generate substantial effluents, including nejayote, cheese-whey, and tequila vinasses, which pose significant environmental challenges due to their extreme physicochemical characteristics and excessive organic load. This study aimed to assess the potential of Chlorella vulgaris in bioremediating these complex wastewaters while also producing added-value compounds. A UV mutagenesis treatment (40 min) enhanced C. vulgaris adaptability to grow in the effluent conditions. Robust growth was observed in all three effluents, with nejayote identified as the optimal medium. Physicochemical measurements conducted pre- and post-cultivation revealed notable reductions of pollutants in nejayote, including complete removal of nitrogen and phosphates, and an 85 % reduction in COD. Tequila vinasses exhibited promise with a 66 % reduction in nitrogen and a 70 % reduction in COD, while cheese-whey showed a 17 % reduction in phosphates. Regarding valuable compounds, nejayote yielded the highest pigment (1.62 mg·g−1) and phenolic compound (3.67 mg·g−1) content, while tequila vinasses had the highest protein content (16.83 %). The main highlight of this study is that C. vulgaris successfully grew in 100 % of the three effluents (without additional water or nutrients), demonstrating its potential for sustainable bioremediation and added-value compound production. When grown in 100 % of the effluents, they become a sustainable option since they don't require an input of fresh water and therefore do not contribute to water scarcity. These findings offer a practical solution for addressing environmental challenges in the food and beverage industries within a circular economy framework.

A high-quality haplotype genome of Michelia alba DC reveals differences in methylation patterns and flower characteristics

Michelia alba DC is a highly valuable ornamental plant of the Magnoliaceae family. This evergreen tropical tree commonly grows in Southeast Asia and is adored for its delightful fragrance. Our study assembled the M. alba haplotype genome MC and MM by utilizing Nanopore ultralong reads, Pacbio Hifi long reads and parental second-generation data. Moreover, the first methylation map of Magnoliaceae was constructed based on the methylation site data obtained using Nanopore data. Metabolomic datasets were generated from the flowers of three different species to assess variations in pigment and volatile compound accumulation. Finally, transcriptome data were generated to link genomic, methylation, and morphological patterns to reveal the reasons underlying the differences between M. alba and its parental lines in petal color, flower shape, and fragrance. We found that the AP1 and AP2 genes are crucial in M. alba petal formation, while the 4CL, PAL, and C4H genes control petal color. The data generated in this study serve as a foundation for future physiological and biochemical research on M. alba, facilitate the targeted improvement of M. alba varieties, and offer a theoretical basis for molecular research on Michelia L.

Kinetic optimization of angkak – red ginger extraction and its impact on antioxidant activity

A mixture of angkak and red ginger is a Chinese herbal concoction with potential as an antioxidant. This herbal combination can be extracted using the kinetic hot maceration method by optimizing the stirring speed to be more efficient. Previous studies have shown that using 400, 600, and 800 rpm stirring speeds provides the best IC50 and yield. Based on these problems, this research aims to determine the effect of increasing stirring speed on IC50 and % yield in the extraction of angkak and red ginger, as well as prove the benefits of this herbal combination through the IC50 value. The method used is extracting a mixture of angkak and red ginger at kinetic variations of 400, 600, and 800 rpm using a magnetic hotplate stirrer at a temperature of 60ºC for 2 hours; determination of % yield; determining the chromatogram profile using TLC; determination of antioxidant activity using DPPH; as well as data analysis of percentage yield and IC50 using SPSS. Analysis using SPSS shows that the stirring speed significantly affects the % yield, where increasing the moving speed above 400 rpm results in a decrease in the % yield. However, the moving speed does not affect the IC50. The TLC chromatogram profile shows the presence of 6-gingerol compounds in angkak and red and yellow pigment compounds in red ginger, which have potential as antioxidants. The optimization results in this study obtained optimal % yield and IC50 at 400 rpm with average values, respectively, namely 15.933 ± 3.4771% and 103.76 ± 10.032 ppm, and the combination of angkak and red ginger ingredients can work synergistically to increase yield and antioxidant.

High-Level Bio-Based Production of Coproporphyrin in Escherichia coli

This study reports on the development of effective strain engineering strategies for the high-level bio-based production of coproporphyrin (CP), a porphyrin pigment compound with various applications, using Escherichia coli as a production host. Our approach involves heterologous implementation of the Shemin/C4 pathway in an E. coli host strain with an enlarged intracellular pool of succinyl-CoA. To regulate the expression of the key pathway genes, including hemA/B/D/E/Y, we employed a plasmid system comprising two operons regulated by strong trc and gracmax promoters, respectively. Using the engineered E. coli strains for bioreactor cultivation under aerobic conditions with glycerol as the carbon source, we produced up to 353 mg/L CP with minimal byproduct formation. The overproduced CP was secreted extracellularly, posing minimal physiological toxicity and impact on the producing cells. To date, targeted bio-based production of CP by E. coli has yet to be reported. In addition to the demonstration of high-level bio-based production of CP, our study underscores the importance of identifying key enzymatic reactions limiting the overall metabolite production for developing differential expression strategies for pathway modulation and even optimization. This investigation paves the way for the development of effective metabolic engineering strategies based on targeted manipulation of key enzymes to customize engineered strains for effective large-scale bio-based production.

Properties of Gelatin-based Films Incorporated with Anthocyanins and Curcuminoids and Stability of Antioxidant Activity during In Vitro Digestion

In this study, gelatin-based films incorporated with two plant pigments; butterfly pea flower anthocyanins (BPA) and turmeric rhizome curcuminoids (TRC) were prepared. Their physical and antioxidant properties were investigated. The results showed that addition of BPA and TRC at different concentrations (10%, 20%, and 30% of gelatin weight) significantly affected the visible color and color values (L*, a*, b*, hue and chroma) of the obtained films. With increasing pigment concentrations, lower % light transmittance was observed (p<0.05). The improved light barrier property corresponded with the increased opacity of the two films (p<0.05). Compared with the control films, the addition of either BPA or TRC slightly increased thickness of films (p<0.05). The moisture content of films increased with increasing BPA concentration but decreased with increasing TRC concentration (p<0.05). However, water solubility was not significantly different among films with varying concentrations of BPA or TRC (p>0.05). Total anthocyanin content (TAC), total curcuminoid content (TCC), total phenol content, and antioxidant activities by FRAP and DPPH increased with increasing pigment concentration in films (p<0.05). Based on in vitro digestion, the film forming solution containing 30% (w/w) plant pigment significantly improved the stability of pigment compounds, TPC, and antioxidant activities during the intestinal phase. Compared to the pigment extract alone, film forming solution containing gelatin and glycerol showed protecting effects against biological conditions during intestinal digestion of the two pigments, BPA and TRC, and therefore, offered greater stability of antioxidant activity (p<0.05).

Generation, degradation mechanism, and toxicity evaluation of pigmented compounds in Leucosceptrum canum nectar

Leucosceptrum canum nectar (LCN) emerges as a novel food resource, distinguished by its unique dark brown hue. This study delves into the composition and toxicity assessment of novel pigments within LCN. Through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and chemical synthesis, seventeen 2,5-di-(N-(-)-prolyl)-para-benzoquinone (DPBQ) analogs in LCN were identified. These compounds are synthesized in LCN via the Michael addition reaction, utilizing p-benzoquinone (BQ), derived from phenol metabolism, and amino acids as substrates in an alkaline environment (pH = 8.47 ± 0.06) facilitated by dissolved ammonia and the presence of alkaloids. Analytical techniques, including principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA), and volcano plot analysis, were employed to investigate DPBQ analog degradation within the nectar and honey's unique environments. Toxicity assays revealed that DPBQ analogs exhibited no toxicity, displaying a significant difference in toxicity compared to the precursor compound BQ at concentrations exceeding 25 μM.

E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products impact on dental color parameters

ObjectivesAbstaining from tobacco smoking may not only improve general health, but also reduce teeth staining and restore teeth whiteness. Compared with conventional cigarettes, E-cigarettes (ECs) and heated tobacco products (HTPs) may offer substantial reduction in exposure to pigmented tar-like compounds of cigarette smoke. It is possible that improvements in dental color indices may be observed in those who have stopped smoking combustible cigarettes by switching to tar-free nicotine delivery products. MethodsThis cross-sectional study evaluated and compared dental color parameters by digital spectrophotometry among five different groups: individuals who currently smoke ; individuals who used to smoke but have quit ; individuals who have never smoked ; exclusive users of electronic cigarettes (former smokers) ; and exclusive users of heated tobacco products (former smokers) . ResultsDental whiteness in current cigarette smokers was notably worse compared with never and former smokers, (13.38 Whiteness Index for Dentistry (WID) units vs. 19.96 and 16.79 WID units). Remarkably high WID values (i.e., whiter teeth) were also observed in ECs (16.72 WID units) and HTPs users (17.82 WID units). Compared to current smokers, difference in dental whiteness for ECs and HTPs users was visually noticeable (ΔWID difference being on average > 2.90 units). The colour differences measured as delta E*(ΔE*) were all visually detectable except for the comparison between ex-smokers and ECs users for which no perceptible color difference was observed (0.415). ConclusionExclusive use of ECs and HTPs is associated with better dental color measurements than current smoking, suggesting that tar-free nicotine delivery technologies are unlikely to have negative effects on dental appearance. Clinical significanceUse of alternative nicotine delivery systems may be associated with cosmetic benefits with important implications for those smokers perceiving dental aesthetics as a significant problem. For these an oral-based narrative may be a much more significant reason to refrain from smoking than the fear of developing smoking-related diseases in future.

Antioxidant Activity and Phytochemical Profile of Diadema paucispinum from Sumenep-Madura, Indonesia

Background: Sea urchin shells contain pigment compounds, such as PHNQ, which vary based on habitat conditions. These pigments, especially in darker shells, display diverse chemical compounds and increased antioxidant power. Diadema paucispinum is a type of sea urchin found in Sumenep-Madura, Indonesia, which has yet to be extensively studied for its antioxidant potential. Aim: To identify the class of compounds present in the 96% ethanol extract of Diadema paucispinum (EEDP) from Sumenep-Madura, Indonesia, and to evaluate the antioxidant activity of this extract. Methods: The research utilized phytochemical screening for extracts, FTIR analysis of simplicia and extracts, and antioxidant tests with DPPH and ABTS. Results: The study identified the presence of alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, and tannin compounds in the extract. Antioxidant activity, determined by the IC50 value, was found to be 6084 µg/ml using the DPPH method and 756.3 µg/ml with the ABTS method, while IC50 of Vitamin C was 3,25 ppm with DPPH method and 2,09 ppm for ABTS method. Conclusion: According to the study's findings, Diadema paucispinum extract found in Sumenep-Madura contains alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. The IC50 value of EEDP was more significant than 200 ppm, indicating that 96% EEDP sea urchin did not have antioxidant activity when compared to vitamin C as a standard compound.

Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy as a tool to characterize spice powder variations for quality and authenticity purposes: A ginger case study

Spices are usually ground for applications and the resulting particle size of the powders is an important product attribute in view of the release of flavour. However, inhomogeneity of the original material may lead to variations in the physicochemical characteristics of the particles. This variation and its linkage to particle size may be examined by particular imaging techniques. This study aimed to explore the potential of Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) to characterize spice powders according to particle size variations and correlation with their pigment contents to reveal the chemical information contained within the FLIM data. Ginger powder was used as a representative powder model. The FLIM profiles of the individual samples and populations revealed that FLIM coupled with the phasor approach has the capacity to characterize spice powder according to particle size. Meanwhile, Principal Component Analysis of pre-processed FLIM data revealed clustering of particle size groups. Further correlation analysis between the pigment compound contents and FLIM data of the ginger powders indicated that FLIM reflected chemical information of ginger powder and was able to visualize endogenous fluorophores. The current study revealed the potential of FLIM to characterize ginger powder particles. This approach may be extrapolated to other spice powder products. The new knowledge is a step further in paving the way for the application of innovative techniques, already prevalent in other domains, to food quality and authentication.

Combined Metabolome and Transcriptome Analysis of Creamy Yellow and Purple Colored Panax notoginseng Roots.

Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen is a species of the Araliaceae family that inhabits southwestern China, Burma, and Nepal. It is cultivated on a commercial scale in Yunnan province, China, owing to its significance in traditional Chinese medicine. Panax notoginseng roots are usually yellow-white (HS); however, purple roots (ZS) have also been reported. The majority of P. notoginseng research has concentrated on the identification and production of natural chemicals in HS; however, there is little to no information about the composition of ZS. Using UPLC-MS/MS, we investigated the global metabolome profile of both ZS- and HS-type roots and discovered 834 metabolites from 11 chemical groups. There were 123 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAM) in the HS and ZS roots, which were classified as lipids and lipid-like molecules, polyketides, organoheterocyclic chemicals, and organooxygen compounds. We investigated the associated compounds in the DAMs because of the importance of anthocyanins in color and saponins and ginsenosides in health benefits. In general, we discovered that pigment compounds such as petunidin 3-glucoside, delphinidin 3-glucoside, and peonidin-3-O-beta-galactoside were more abundant in ZS. The saponin (eight compounds) and ginsenoside (26 compounds) content of the two varieties of roots differed as well. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that flavonoid and anthocyanin production genes were more abundant in ZS than in HS. Similarly, we found differences in gene expression in genes involved in terpenoid production and related pathways. Overall, these findings suggest that the purple roots of P. notoginseng contain varying amounts of ginsenosides and anthocyanins compared to roots with a creamy yellow color.

NaCl stress enhances pigment accumulation and synthesis in red rice during the germination stage

Red rice has become increasingly popular as a viable dietary choice due to its nutritional value. The germination process has been found to enhance the nutritional content of grains, particularly anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins, and the presence of salt stress can further intensify this effect. In this study, the changes in bioactive phenolic compounds during the germination of red rice under salt stress were evaluated via chemical methods and UPLC-QToF/MS. The PLS-DA was used to analyze the upstream synthesis substrates of pigments in red rice treated with different NaCl concentrations. The results showed that NaCl stress inhibited red rice germination compared to the untreated group but that the total polyphenol content of red rice increased significantly after NaCl stress. Three anthocyanins and two proanthocyanidins were identified, and proanthocyanidins were the main components in pigment compounds. All these pigments tended to increase under 60 mmol/L NaCl treatment. Furthermore, upstream pigment substrates such as L-phenylalanine, cinnamic acid, p-coumaric acid, and leucocyanidin were also increased under NaCl stress. The activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, leucoanthocyanidin reductase, and anthocyanin reductase related to these upstream metabolic substrates were up-regulated after NaCl stress. This study showed that NaCl stress effectively stimulated the accumulation of red rice pigments and their upstream substrates.

Development of an Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Procedure for the Simultaneous Determination of Anthocyanins and Phenolic Acids in Black Beans.

Beans are an essential source of nutritional components such as plant proteins, minerals and dietary fiber, as well as of antioxidants such as phenolic compounds. Phenolic compounds are praised for their biological activities and possible benefits on human health. Since no official methods are available for phenolic compound extraction, the optimization of extraction parameters via Response Surface Methodology (RSM) has become a commonly used methodological approach for reliable determinations. This study aimed to apply RSM to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction procedure of phenolic compounds, including anthocyanins, from black beans. A Generally Recognized As Safe solvent (ethanol) was used. Solvent concentration, extraction time, and solvent/sample ratio were optimized to maximize two responses: Total Anthocyanin Content (TAC) and Total Phenolic Content (TPC). An ethanol concentration of 64%, 30 min extraction time, and a 50 mL/g solvent/sample ratio were identified as the optimal extraction conditions. The TAC was 71.45 ± 1.96 mg cyanidin-3-O-glucoside equivalents 100 g-1 dm, and the TPC was 60.14 ± 0.89 mg gallic acid equivalents 100 g-1 dm. Among the pigmented phenolic compounds, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and peonidin-3-O-glucoside were identified in the extracts. Regarding phenolic acids, caffeic, sinapic, and t-ferulic acids were detected.

Transcriptomics integrated with metabolomics to characterize key pigment compounds and genes related to anthocyanin biosynthesis in Zanthoxylum bungeanum peel.

Zanthoxylum bungeanum is an important condiment with high economic value and its peel color is one of the main quality indexes. However, the key pigment compounds and related genes are still unclear affecting the quality control of the plants. In this study, the contents of four types of pigments were measured in Z. bungeanum and flavonoids were identified as the most important pigments. Based on the targeted flavonoid metabolomics of Z. bungeanum peels, 14 key pigment compounds were screened out from 152 flavonoids, among which cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside were the most critical compounds for peel color. They were further verified to be present in nine varieties of Z. bungeanum by HPLC fingerprints. The 14 compounds were all associated with flavonoid and anthocyanin biosynthesis pathways and the 39 differentially expressed genes related to these pathways were annotated and screened based on transcriptomics. The genes ZbDFR, ZbANS, and ZbUFGT were identified as three key genes for anthocyanin synthesis in Z. bungeanum peels. Further qRT-PCR results confirmed the reliability of transcriptomics and the accuracy of gene screening. Subsequent protein induced expression demonstrated that ZbANS and ZbUFGT were expressed after 12 h induced by IPTG while ZbDFR was expressed after 15 h. Further transient and stable transformation analysis confirmed that both anthocyanin content and the expression of ZbDFR were significantly increased in overexpression Z. bungeanum leaves and Nicotiana benthamiana. The functional effect of stable transformation of ZbDFR was more significant than that of transient transformation with a 7.67-fold/1.49-fold difference in total anthocyanin content and a 42.37-fold/12.32-fold difference in the expression of ZbDFR. This study provides new insights into the chemical composition and the molecular mechanisms of Z. bungeanum peel color and lays an effective foundation for the color quality control, multi-purpose utilization of Z. bungeanum and the creation of new germplasm.

Multifunctional Thermosynechococcus sp. CL-1 cultivation in swine wastewater for nutrients utilization, CO2 fixation, and C-phycocyanin production

BackgroundCombination of the CO2 fixation and wastewater treatment process can be simultaneously and efficiently conducted using cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms along with generation of byproducts as the alternative benefit. MethodIn this study, a cyanobacterium, Thermosynechococcus sp. CL-1 (TCL-1), has been cultivated in unsterilized swine wastewater for assessment on nutrients (N and P) removal, CO2 fixation rate, and accumulation of C-phycocyanin. Experiment was conducted using a flat panel photobioreactor and under supply of various light intensities of 500-2,000 µE/m2/s. Significant findingsThe presence of ammonium and phosphate in the swine wastewater were favorable to support the growth of TCL-1. TCL-1 eliminated almost all the ammonium during 8 h of experimental test under illumination of higher light intensity (1,000 or 2,000 µE/m2/s). Similarly, compared to other tested light intensities, 2,000 µE/m2/s resulted in greater phosphate utilization. However, 500 µE/m2/s light intensity indicated a higher total phosphorus utilization. Besides, addition of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in the swine wastewater resulted the highest CO2 fixation rate of 145.1±12.1 mg/L/h. C-phycocyanin as a valuable pigment compound was accumulated by TCL-1 with concentration of 4.9 %dwc, productivity of 6.46±0.7 mg/L/h, and in the purity index range of 0.79-0.86.

Physical Properties of Tapioca Starch-based Film Indicators with Anthocyanin Extract from Purple Sweet Potato (Ipomea batatas L.) and Response to pH Changes

Intelligent packaging comes in the form of interactive film indicator using a natural pigment compound sensitive to pH changes. The development of intelligent packaging as an indicator film by utilizing natural pigment compounds that are related to pH change and food safety is motivated by increased consumer awareness of food safety. Purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is the source of anthocyanin flavonoid compounds sensitive to pH changes, demonstrated by color changes in film indicators. This research aims to determine physical properties and the pH response of tapioca starch-based film indicators with anthocyanin extract variation from purple sweet potato. Purple sweet potato anthocyanin (PSPA) indicator film was made using tapioca starch as biopolymer by casting method with the addition of anthocyanin extract at concentrations of 0, 5, 10, and 15 g. Furthermore, this research is conducted to analyze the physical properties of the film, and response to pH changes of fresh cow milk, Gindara fish fillet and chicken sausage stored at 7 °C and 25 °C under 48-hour observation. The results showed that the film indicator thickness was 0.72-0.74 mm, tensile strength was 1.23-9.86 MPa, elongation was 14.83-55.74%, and water vapor permeability (WVP) was 1.32-1.78 × 10-14 kg.m/m2.s.Pa. The results of this study indicated that the PSPA indicator films have the potential to be used as smart packaging to monitor food freshness and quality for safe consumption. That was supported by the good physical properties of PSPA indicator films.

Metabolic fingerprint of ‘WA 38’ green spot symptoms reveals increased production of epicuticular metabolites by parenchyma

Green spot is a pre-harvest physiological disorder of ‘WA 38’ apple fruit that can culminate in corking immediately underneath the peel surface. Unlike bitter pit and many other corking disorders, superficial symptoms emerge in the middle of the growing season as areas of peel discoloration, with the most severe symptoms appearing as parenchyma necrosis or corking that worsens until harvest. Our previous work demonstrated the mitigative effect of early season fruit bagging on green spot appearance, but the mechanism of its onset and the biochemical signatures associated with it remained unknown. We used metabolic profiling to, first, identify metabolites associated with green spot symptoms in the peel and cortex of ‘WA 38’ apples and, then, track changes before and after disorder onset until harvest from apples that were bagged, under a shade net, or uncovered (control). We linked metabolites from multiple metabolic pathways, including carotenoids, phenolics, triglycerides, and triterpenes, with peel and cortex green spot symptoms. Many pigment and triterpene compounds associated with cortex symptoms are typically far less abundant in cortex tissue than in peel. Light-altering treatments also impacted levels of several of these compounds during the growing season; however, the inability to predict which pre-symptomatic tissue would later develop symptoms compromised the establishment of disorder genesis and latent development using this technique. Despite these challenges, we linked novel metabolites and pathways with the disorder, including those that may indicate strengthening and isolation of symptomatic tissue, possibly to provide protections similar to the fruit surface.