Lipid Content Of Seeds Research Articles

Organ-delimited gene regulatory networks provide high accuracy in candidate transcription factor selection across diverse processes

Organ-specific gene expression datasets that include hundreds to thousands of experiments allow the reconstruction of organ-level gene regulatory networks (GRNs). However, creating such datasets is greatly hampered by the requirements of extensive and tedious manual curation. Here, we trained a supervised classification model that can accurately classify the organ-of-origin for a plant transcriptome. This K-Nearest Neighbor-based multiclass classifier was used to create organ-specific gene expression datasets for the leaf, root, shoot, flower, and seed in Arabidopsis thaliana. A GRN inference approach was used to determine the: i. influential transcription factors (TFs) in each organ and, ii. most influential TFs for specific biological processes in that organ. These genome-wide, organ-delimited GRNs (OD-GRNs), recalled many known regulators of organ development and processes operating in those organs. Importantly, many previously unknown TF regulators were uncovered as potential regulators of these processes. As a proof-of-concept, we focused on experimentally validating the predicted TF regulators of lipid biosynthesis in seeds, an important food and biofuel trait. Of the top 20 predicted TFs, eight are known regulators of seed oil content, e.g., WRI1, LEC1, FUS3. Importantly, we validated our prediction of MybS2, TGA4, SPL12, AGL18, and DiV2 as regulators of seed lipid biosynthesis. We elucidated the molecular mechanism of MybS2 and show that it induces purple acid phosphatase family genes and lipid synthesis genes to enhance seed lipid content. This general approach has the potential to be extended to any species with sufficiently large gene expression datasets to find unique regulators of any trait-of-interest.

Lipid Profile Quantification and Species Discrimination of Pine Seeds through NIR Spectroscopy: A Feasibility Study

Pine seeds are known for their richness in lipid compounds and other healthy substances. However, the reference procedures that are commonly applied for their analysis are quite laborious, time-consuming, and expensive. Therefore, it is important to develop rapid, accurate, multi-parametric, cost-effective and, essentially, environmentally friendly analytical techniques that are easily implemented at an industrial scale. The viability of using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to analyse the seed lipid content and profile of three different pine species (Pinus halepensis, Pinus brutia and Pinus pinaster) was investigated. Moreover, species discrimination using NIR was also attempted. Different chemometric models, namely partial least squares (PLS) regression, for lipid analysis, and partial least square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), for pine species discrimination, were applied. In relation to the discrimination of pine seed species, a total of 90.5% of correct classification rates were obtained. Regarding the quantification models, most of the compounds assessed yielded determination coefficients (R2P) higher than 0.80. The best PLS models were obtained for total fat, vitamin E, saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, C20:2, C20:1n9, C20, C18:2n6c, C18:1n9c, C18 and C16:1. Globally, the obtained results demonstrated that NIR spectroscopy is a suitable analytical technique for lipid analysis and species discrimination of pine seeds.

Functional analysis of the dehydratase domains of the PUFA synthase from Emiliania huxleyi in Escherichia coli and Arabidopsis thaliana

BackgroundPolyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) synthase is a multi-domain mega-enzyme that effectively synthesizes a series of PUFAs in marine microorganisms. The dehydratase (DH) domain of a PUFA synthase plays a crucial role in double bond positioning in fatty acids. Sequencing results of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi (E. huxleyi, Eh) indicated that this species contains a PUFA synthase with multiple DH domains. Therefore, the current study, sought to define the functions of these DH domains (EhDHs), by cloning and overexpressing the genes encoding FabA-like EhDHs in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana).ResultsA complementation test showed that the two FabA-like DH domains could restore DH function in a temperature-sensitive (Ts) mutant. Meanwhile, overexpression of FabA-like EhDH1 and EhDH2 domains increased the production of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) in recombinant E. coli by 43.5–32.9%, respectively. Site-directed mutagenesis analysis confirmed the authenticity of active-site residues in these domains. Moreover, the expression of tandem EhDH1-DH2 in A. thaliana altered the fatty acids content, seed weight, and germination rate.ConclusionsThe two FabA-like DH domains in the E. huxleyi PUFA synthase function as 3-hydroxyacyl-acyl carrier protein dehydratase in E. coli. The expression of these domains in E. coli and A. thaliana can alter the fatty acid profile in E. coli and increase the seed lipid content and germination rate in A. thaliana. Hence, introduction of DH domains controlling the dehydration process of fatty acid biosynthesis in plants might offer a new strategy to increase oil production in oilseed plants.

Morphology, physiology, and biochemistry of zinc-stressed caraway plants.

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the impact of zinc supply (0, 1, and 2mM Zn as ZnSO4) on morpho-physiological and biochemical parameters of caraway (Carum carvi L.). Exposure to different Zn concentrations for 12weeks compromised severely all growth parameters (plant height, number of secondary branches, diameter of primary and secondary branches, fresh and dry weight of aerial parts and roots) yield and its components (number of umbels per primary branches and secondary branches; number of umbel per plant; number of seeds per plant; and the weight of 1000 seeds). These manifestations were intimately linked with excessive accumulation of Zn in roots and leaves, alteration of the content of photosynthetic pigments, and extended lipid peroxidation. A manifest increment of proline and soluble sugar content was also observed in response to Zn application. Lipid content in seeds was dropped in Zn-treated plants and the fatty acid profiles were profoundly affected as they were enriched with saturated fatty acids at the expense of unsaturated ones. While improving their oxidative stability as revealed by the reduced values calculated oxidizability and oxidative susceptibility, Zn treatment reduced the lipid nutritional quality of caraway seeds. Moreover, Zn treatment reduced the essential oil yield and its main component carvone while it enhanced the content of its precursor limonene. It also induced alteration of terpene metabolism as revealed in the redirection of the carbon flux to the shikimate/phenylpropanoid pathway resulting in the stimulation of the production of phenolic compounds and their subsequent antioxidant activities.

Influence of new phytoregulators on oilseed flax growth, development, yielding capacity, and product quality.

The use of phytoregulators is a modern way of producing crops to increase yields and product quality. The components of phytoregulators have a beneficial effect on the growth and development of plants and help to withstand unfavorable environmental factors, stress, lack of mineral nutrition, soil fatigue, and the action of a wide range of pesticides. The research is aimed to investigate the influence of three phytoregulators: Cherkaz, Floravit, EcoFus on two varieties of flax: Severny and LM 98. We conducted a 3-year, field experiment with flax. In the so-called herringbone stage of the plant growth, the flax seedlings were treated the investigated phytoregulators. Flax plants were analyzed for yields. The method of near-infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze the content of lipids and proteins in flax seeds after harvesting. The oil content in flax seeds was determined. Using chromatography, we analyzed each variant of the experiment from the point of view of fatty acid composition. The application of phytoregulators increased the seed yield by 14-19% and the short fiber yield by 9-20% relative to control. The protein content in the seeds of the experimental samples Floravit and Cherkaz increased by 2.3-2.5% and by 1.5% in the experiments with EcoFus relative to the control. The lipid content in flax seeds increased by 5-5.6% (Floravit), by 3.5-3.95% (EcoFus), and by 4.7-5.1% (Cherkaz) relative to control. The oil ratio in flax seeds of the LM 98 and Severny varieties averaged 35.5-45.5%. An increase in the oil yields was 2.8-6.9% for Floravit, 2-4.1% for EcoFus, and 4.4-4.9% for Cherkaz relative to control. The application of Floravit, Cherkaz and EkoFus in flaxseed cultivation contributed to an increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids in oil: the content of ω-3 fatty acids ranged 61.90-63.10% compared to control 54.70%. Floravit proved to be the most effective of the three tested phytoregulators. The studies carried out over three years allow us to conclude that the use of new phytoregulators contributes to an increase in the quality and flaxseed yield and the flax fiber yield. Floravit was the most effective preparation and can be used for pre-sowing seed treatment and during the growing season.

Lack of lipid accumulation in two species of chalcidoid wasps with secondarily evolved phytophagy

AbstractStable co‐evolutionary relationships between species may result in the loss of autonomous synthesis of essential nutrients when these can be obtained from the ecological partner. Parasitoid insects obtain most of their nutrients from their host, and many lineages do not increase their adult lipid reserves even when feeding on a surplus of sugars. Several clades within the parasitoid Hymenoptera have lost the parasitoid lifestyle and switched to either a predatory or a phytophagous lifestyle. Here, we test whether adult lipid accumulation is reactivated in two species that independently evolved a phytophagous lifestyle from parasitoid ancestors. The larvae of Megastigmus aculeatus (Swederus) (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Torymidae) and Bruchophagus platypterus (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea: Eurytomidae) obligatorily feed on seeds of specific plants. Seeds of wild host plants were collected and the emerging wasps were tested for the lipid accumulation phenotype using whole‐body diethyl ether extraction. Both species had significantly reduced lipid content after 1 week ad libitum access to sugars compared to the lipid content at emergence, indicating a lack or negligible level of lipogenesis. Therefore, the secondary switch to phytophagy was not associated with recovery of lipid accumulation in these species. We discuss these results in relation to the lipid content of the host seeds and the reversibility of the lipid accumulation phenotype. We infer that the close relationship among seed‐feeding insects and their hosts allows the seed‐feeders to rely on a diet with predictable lipid quantities which relaxes the need for autonomous lipid synthesis.

Extraction, characterization, and optimization of biodiesel production from Pachira aquatica Aubl

Given the great energy demand to meet the needs of modern society, it is essential that new alternatives to replace fossil diesel are studied. And biodiesel is an alternative that has been gaining prominence on the world stage, mainly with the use of vegetable oils with a high lipid content, such as Pachira aquatica Aubl, also known as munguba. Given the above, the objective of this work was to extract the oil from the seeds of Pachira aquatica, evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of the oil and define the best conditions for catalytic mixing with temperature variation in the production of biodiesel from the oil obtained. Thus, the acidity index, saponification, refraction, peroxide, water content and fatty acid profile of the oil were evaluated. Fourteen treatments of biodiesel produced with different amounts of sulfuric acid and temperature were evaluated. They were analyzed for water content, specific mass, kinematic viscosity at 40 ºC, refractive index and ester content. It was found that the lipid content of Pachira aquatica seeds was 42.19% and its physical chemistry analysis showed that it can be used in the production of biofuels. There was a greater presence of saturated fatty acids, with a predominance of palmitic acid with 81.95%. Biodiesel produced from oil, on the other hand, showed higher production of esters in relation to the volume used at temperatures of 60 ºC and 0.6 mL of sulfuric acid, and that its properties showed that the plant can be a possible alternative for the production of biodiesel.

The Arabidopsis transcription factors AtPHL1 and AtHB23 act together promoting carbohydrate transport from pedicel-silique nodes to seeds

Carbohydrates are produced in green tissues through photosynthesis and then transported to sink tissues. Carbon partitioning is a strategic process, fine regulated, involving specific sucrose transporters in each connecting tissue. Here we report that a screening of an Arabidopsis transcription factor (TF) library using the homeodomain-leucine zipper I member AtHB23 as bait, allowed identifying the TF AtPHL1 interacting with the former. An independent Y2H assay, and in planta by BiFC, confirmed such interaction. AtHB23 and AtPHL1 coexpressed in the pedicel-silique nodes and the funiculus. Mutant plants (phl1, and amiR23) showed a marked reduction of lipid content in seeds, although lipid composition did not change compared to the wild type. While protein and carbohydrate contents were not significantly different between mutants and control mature seeds, we observed a reduced carbohydrate content in mutant plants young siliques (7 days after pollination). Moreover, using a CFDA probe, we revealed an impaired transport to the seeds, and the gene encoding the carbohydrate transporters SWEET10 and SWEET11, usually expressed in connecting tissues, was repressed in the amiR23 and phl1 mutant plants. Altogether, the results indicated that AtHB23 and AtPHL1 act together, promoting sucrose transport, and the lack of any of them provoked a reduction in seeds lipid content.

Nutritional changes induced by fungi on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) seeds

Seeds are usually infected by microorganisms and pests during storage, causing deterioration and reduction in the nutritive and market value of these seeds. In this study, the proximate composition of Vigna unguiculata seeds inoculated with different fungal organisms was determined to ascertain the level of deterioration caused by fungi on the seeds. The fungi used in the study were Botryodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium oxysporum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Aspergillus niger. There was a significant increase (p<0.05, 0.008) in the protein content of seeds inoculated with fungi. Fusarium oxysporum (29.45%) caused the highest increase in protein followed by Aspergillus niger (28.14%), Botryodiplodia theobromae (27.85%) and Rhizopus stolonifer (27.50%). The increase could be attributed to the proteineous content of the fungal mycelia. There was a significant increase (p<0.05, 0.005/0.014) in moisture and ash content of inoculated seeds respectively. Fusarium oxysporum caused the highest increase in ash (7.93) while Rhizopus stolonifer (5.4) caused the lowest increase. The increase in ash content is due to the presence of minerals like potassium and phosphorus in the mycelia of the fungi. There was a significant decrease (p<0.05, 0.019) in the carbohydrate, lipid, fibre and dry matter content of fungi-inoculated seeds when compared with the control. Fusarium oxysporum (36.6) caused the highest decrease while Rhizopus stolonifer (43.2) caused the lowest decrease in dry matter of inoculated seeds. Decrease in dry matter may be as a result of production of enzymes by these fungi.

Importance of New Edible Oil Extracted from Seeds of Seven Cereals Species

Cereals constitute a major source of human and animal nutrition. In spite of the extensive production of numerous cereal species, some information is unavailable in terms of lipid composition. Due to the oil increasing demand by the overgrowth of the world population, oleaginous species have encountered problems in recent years. In order to find new sources of edible oil, the aim of this study was to describe the importance of seventeen varieties oil of seven cereal species. Oils were extracted by the Soxhlet method, and fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography. The present study demonstrated that the lipid content of cereal seeds ranged from 1.42% to 5.97%. In average, oat, millet, and maize had significantly higher lipid content, respectively, 5.97%, 5.06%, and 4.71%. The main fatty acid recorded in the studied cereal species, except oat, was linoleic acid C18 : 2 (ω6). Regarding the essential fatty acids linoleic acid C18 : 2 and linolenic acid C18 : 3 (ω3), the oil of all studied species, except oat, was rich in ω6 fatty acids (47.50 to 60.13%) and poor in ω3 (0.45% to 5.33%). The content of unsaturated fatty acids in all studied species ranged from 77.22 to 81.89%. Cereal oil was considered as highly unsaturated oil with the presence of the essential fatty acids necessary for human health. Therefore, cereal oils could be commercialized in small quantities in pharmacies or parapharmacies.

Late-stage maturation erodes lipid content in soybean seeds.

Late-stage maturation erodes lipid content in soybean seeds.

EFFECTS OF PATHOGENIC FUNGAL INFECTION ON THE NUTRIENTAND ANTI-NUTRIENT CONSTITUENTS OF POST HARVEST Irvingia gabonensis(OGBONO) SEEDS

Effects of pathogenic fungal infection on the nutrient and anti-nutrient constituents of post-harvestIrvingiagabonensisseeds were evaluated. The fungi pathogens isolated from partially rotted seeds of I. gabonensis seeds include Rhizopusstolonifer, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Penicilliumitalicum.These fungi were used as test fungi to inoculate healthy I. gabonesis seeds aseptically. The results of the proximate analysis in (%w/w)/100g of seeds inoculated with test fungi and uninoculated (control) seeds carried out revealed that there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in Moisture, Ash and Lipid content of seeds inoculated with the test fungi, relative to uninoculated (control) seeds. While fiber carbohydrate and protein content decreasedin fungi inoculated seeds relative to uninoculated seeds. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in mineral content evaluated. Calcium, Phosphorus and Iron increased in seeds inoculated with the test fungi relative to the uninoculated, while Potassium, Soduim and Magnesium decreasedin seeds inoculated with the test fungi. Anti-nutrient (phytochemical) content; Tannin, Saponin, Total oxalate and Cynogenic glucoside increased in the fungi inoculated seeds relative to uninoculated seeds. Significant differences also existed among the test fungi. Apparently, Penicilliumitalicuminduced more changes in the anti-nutrient (Phytochemical) content measured. Hence higher values were recorded by Penicilliumitalicum in Tannim, Saponin, Total oxalate and Cynogenic glucoside, Keywords: Irvingiagabonensis,Nutrient, Anti-nutrient, Fungi, Inoculated

Improving Genomic Prediction for Seed Quality Traits in Oat (Avena sativa L.) Using Trait-Specific Relationship Matrices.

The observable phenotype is the manifestation of information that is passed along different organization levels (transcriptional, translational, and metabolic) of a biological system. The widespread use of various omic technologies (RNA-sequencing, metabolomics, etc.) has provided plant genetics and breeders with a wealth of information on pertinent intermediate molecular processes that may help explain variation in conventional traits such as yield, seed quality, and fitness, among others. A major challenge is effectively using these data to help predict the genetic merit of new, unobserved individuals for conventional agronomic traits. Trait-specific genomic relationship matrices (TGRMs) model the relationships between individuals using genome-wide markers (SNPs) and place greater emphasis on markers that most relevant to the trait compared to conventional genomic relationship matrices. Given that these approaches define relationships based on putative causal loci, it is expected that these approaches should improve predictions for related traits. In this study we evaluated the use of TGRMs to accommodate information on intermediate molecular phenotypes (referred to as endophenotypes) and to predict an agronomic trait, total lipid content, in oat seed. Nine fatty acids were quantified in a panel of 336 oat lines. Marker effects were estimated for each endophenotype, and were used to construct TGRMs. A multikernel TRGM model (MK-TRGM-BLUP) was used to predict total seed lipid content in an independent panel of 210 oat lines. The MK-TRGM-BLUP approach significantly improved predictions for total lipid content when compared to a conventional genomic BLUP (gBLUP) approach. Given that the MK-TGRM-BLUP approach leverages information on the nine fatty acids to predict genetic values for total lipid content in unobserved individuals, we compared the MK-TGRM-BLUP approach to a multi-trait gBLUP (MT-gBLUP) approach that jointly fits phenotypes for fatty acids and total lipid content. The MK-TGRM-BLUP approach significantly outperformed MT-gBLUP. Collectively, these results highlight the utility of using TGRM to accommodate information on endophenotypes and improve genomic prediction for a conventional agronomic trait.

Enhancement of Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) Seed Lipid Content for Biodiesel Production by CRISPR-Cas9-Mediated Knockout of NtAn1.

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) seed lipid is a promising non-edible feedstock for biodiesel production. In order to meet the increasing demand, achieving high seed lipid content is one of the major goals in tobacco seed production. The TT8 gene and its homologs negatively regulate seed lipid accumulation in Arabidopsis and Brassica species. We speculated that manipulating the homolog genes of TT8 in tobacco could enhance the accumulation of seed lipid. In this present study, we found that the TT8 homolog genes in tobacco, NtAn1a and NtAn1b, were highly expressed in developing seed. Targeted mutagenesis of NtAn1 genes was created by the CRISPR-Cas9-based gene editing technology. Due to the defect of proanthocyanidin (PA) biosynthesis, mutant seeds showed the phenotype of a yellow seed coat. Seed lipid accumulation was enhanced by about 18 and 15% in two targeted mutant lines. Protein content was also significantly increased in mutant seeds. In addition, the seed yield-related traits were not affected by the targeted mutagenesis of NtAn1 genes. Thus, the overall lipid productivity of the NtAn1 knockout mutants was dramatically enhanced. The results in this present paper indicated that tobacco NtAn1 genes regulate both PAs and lipid accumulation in the process of seed development and that targeted mutagenesis of NtAn1 genes could generate a yellow-seeded tobacco variety with high lipid and protein content. Furthermore, the present results revealed that the CRISPR-Cas9 system could be employed in tobacco seed de novo domestication for biodiesel feedstock production.

Effects of In Situ Burial and Sub-Optimal Storage on Seed Longevity and Reserve Resources in Sub-Tropical Mountain Cloud Forest Tree Species of Mexico

To design conservation and management strategies for sub-tropical moist forests, it is important to know how storage affects the longevity and germination of desiccation-sensitive seeds. These variables are controlled by a physiological process that is mainly associated with the seeds’ moisture content and reserve content, which can be significantly affected by environmental conditions. The objectives of this study were: (i) to evaluate the relationship between longevity and reserve content of sensitive and non-sensitive desiccation seeds (ii), and to describe how the in situ burial and sub-optimal storage (inside growth chambers) can affect seed longevity. In seeds of six mountain cloud forest tree species, germination and seed reserve content were quantified in seeds collected recently (control) and at five different times, along with storage for 31 or 35 days in situ and under suboptimal conditions. Freshly harvested seeds with higher soluble carbohydrate and lipid content and the presence of thermo-stable proteins had the longest-expected ecological longevity and mean germination time. In contrast to in situ burial, germination was negatively affected by storage time. Burial time significantly affected the rate and mean germination time in most of the species. For two species, a greater soluble carbohydrate or a lower starch and lipid content in seeds was found to be related to the high germination rate in storage. Our results show that the sub-optimal storage reduces the lifespan in most of the study species and increases seed damages through dehydration.

Investigation on the biochemical changes occurs in the seeds of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre by fungal infection

Pongamia pinnata has been found to be one of the most suitable bio-fuel plants due to its various favourable attributes. Numbers of fungal species were found associated with seeds. Among these fungi C. cladosporioides was dominant followed by Alternaria and Aspergillus species. The aim of research work is to estimate primary metabolites such as total lipid, protein, reducing sugar, carbohydrate and starch which are present in seeds of Pongamia pinnata. The percent of total Lipid content in healthy seeds (0.79 mg / gm.), reducing sugar (1.26 mg / gm.), protein (2.66 mg / gm.) and carbohydrate (15.44 mg / gm.) respectively. During fungal infection biochemical changes occur in the seeds and the infected seeds shows reduction in total lipid content (0.58 mg / gm.), proteins (1.95 mg / gm.), reducing sugars (0.819 mg / gm.) and carbohydrates (12.70 mg / gm.). The percent of reduction in total lipid about 0.21%, reducing sugar 0.44% and carbohydrate 2.74%. From 100 gm. of healthy seeds 37 ml oil is obtained by Soxhlet apparatus, while in infected seeds (100 gm.) it was 32 ml. There was a reduction of 5% of oil.

In which cropping systems can residual weeds reduce nitrate leaching and soil erosion?

Abstract Weeds are often solely considered with a negative viewpoint, but they may also provide services for agroecosystems. Especially, the residual weed flora that is tolerated by integrated crop protection may contribute to a reduction of nitrate leaching and soil erosion during the summer and autumn fallow. To date, the determinants underlying these environmental weed benefits are largely unknown. The present study developed new indicators to account for the potential beneficial role of annual weed flora to reduce nitrate leaching and soil erosion at the field scale, and then calculated them from the outputs of a weed dynamics model. The aim was to analyse which cropping systems facilitate residual weed flora to reduce nitrate leaching and soil erosion, while minimizing negative weed impacts on crop production. When developing the indicators, the potential weed-based reduction of nitrate leaching was considered to increase with both the growth of the weed flora and the weed species potential to take up nitrogen; the potential weed-based reduction of soil erosion was assumed to increase with soil cover by weeds when soil cover by cash crops was low. Our simulation study included 259 arable cropping systems (covering a wide range of herbicide and tillage intensity, with each cropping system simulated over 28 years and repeated 10 times with 10 different weather series) in which the dynamics of 25 annual weed species was simulated. Simulations showed that the cropping systems promoting a high potential weed-based reduction of nitrate leaching were generally also those with a high potential weed-based reduction of soil erosion, pointing to a compatibility between these benefits provided by the weed flora. However, the cropping systems promoting these environmental benefits were generally also those that presented the highest crop yield losses. Tillage and crop rotation were identified as the cultural techniques with the greatest influence on the potential weed-based reduction of nitrate leaching and soil erosion, while herbicides had a more limited effect. Most of the studied cropping systems (representing “real situations” in which farmers or experimenters make the decisions about crop rotations and cultural techniques) tended to favour low crop yield losses rather than high weed-based environmental benefits. Interestingly, a few systems achieved both objectives. Systems that achieved relatively low crop yield losses and high weed-based environmental benefits mainly combined infrequent superficial tillage operations, with a low proportion of winter crops in the rotation and a very low tillage depth. Finally, only a few weed traits determined the role of the weed flora to potentially reduce nitrate leaching and soil erosion. They were seed traits (seed lipid content, seed area per weight and seed coat thickness), driving the early and fast appearance of the weed canopy after weed seed shed. This suggests that, for annual weed species, a high weed flora potential to reduce nitrate leaching and soil erosion is not restricted to specific weed species able to take up nitrogen and cover soil. Thus, our simulation study indicates that such a high potential to reduce nitrate leaching and soil erosion could therefore be reached in very different agroecosystems in terms of weed seed bank.

Molecular cloning and function characterisation of a cytoplasmic fructose-1, 6-bisphosphate aldolase gene from coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)

ABSTRACT Cytosolic FBA functions in the sucrose biosynthetic pathway and is also a key enzyme in glycolytic pathways in higher plants. In this paper, a cytoplasmic FBA gene (designated CoFBA1) expressed specifically in the endosperm of coconut was identified and cloned. Prediction analysis suggested that the subcellular location of CoFBA1 was the cytoplasm. Then, CoFBA1 was cloned into the pCAMBIA1300s vector driven by the seed-specific promoter napin to verify the in vivo activity of CoFBA1 in Arabidopsis. Three transgenic lines with different levels of CoFBA1 expression were selected for gene expression, total oil content and fatty acid content analyses. In the three overexpression homozygous transgenic lines, the CoFBA1 gene consistently increased in expression. The lipid content in the three transgenic lines increased by 3.5 – 18% compared to that in WT. The total seed lipid content in the three lines simultaneously exhibited a significant increase (P < 0.01), while no significant difference was detected among the three transgenic lines. Moreover, linolenic acid (C18:3) and eicosanoic acid (C20:1) increased significantly in the transgenic lines. It was suggested that CoFBA1 overexpression not only increased the total lipid content but also changed the composition of the fatty acids in the transgenic lines.

A Fast and Green Extraction Method for Berry Seed Lipid Extraction Using CO2 Expanded Ethanol Combined with Sonication

AbstractIn this work, a combination of sonication and carbon dioxide expanded liquid extraction (SA‐CXLE) is used for the first time for the extraction of lipids from berry seeds. Three solvents (ethanol, methanol and ethyl lactate) are screened for the best recoveries of total lipids. Ethanol is selected due to its efficiency, greenness and sustainability. The effects of operation variables including temperature, time and CO2 molar fraction on extraction performance are examined using a response surface methodology. The optimum conditions were found at 0.37 molar fraction of CO2 in ethanol, a temperature of 52 °C and an extraction time of 7 min for two cycles. The SA‐CXLE method extracts 323 ± 38 mg g−1 seed compared to 194 ± 23 using a conventional solid‐liquid extraction. SA‐CXLE is successfully applied to profile lipids from gooseberry, blackcurrant, chokeberry, red currant, and rowanberry seeds. More than 17 lipid classes are characterized and identified. Gooseberry shows the highest amount of oil of 352 mg g−1 seed.Practical Applications: The developed method provides a fast, efficient and simple approach to extract and profile lipids using a combination of green solvents. Total lipid content and fatty acids composition of the berry seeds are essential information in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and nutritional applications.

Biochemical changes in Mucuna sloanei (ukpo) seeds induced by six pathogenic fungi and comparative analysis of the pathogenic fungi

Biochemical changes in Mucuna sloanei Fawc. &amp; Rendle (Fabaceae) seeds induced by six pathogenic fungi and comparative analysis of the pathogenic fungi were investigated. The fungal pathogens isolated from partially rotted seeds of M. sloanei seeds include Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergilus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium italicum, Alternaria altermata and Fusarium oxysporum. These fungi were used as test fungi to inoculate healthy M. sloanei seeds aseptically. The results of proximate analysis in (%w/w)/100 g of seeds inoculated with the test fungi and uninoculated (control) seeds carried out revealed that there was a significant increase (P &lt; 0.05) in moisture, ash, lipid and carbohydrate content of seeds inoculated with the test fungi, relative to uninoculated (control) seeds. While fiber and protein content decreased in fungi inoculated seeds relative to uninoculated seeds. There was a significant difference (P &lt; 0.05) in mineral content evaluated. Calcium, phosphorus and sodium increased in seeds inoculated with the test fungi relative to the uninoculated, while iron, potassium and magnesium decreased in seeds inoculated with the test fungi. Phytochemical (anti-nutrient) contents (tannin, saponins, total oxalate and cynogenic glucoside) increased in the fungi inoculated seeds, relative to uninoculated seeds. Significant differences also occurred among the test fungi. Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria altermata and Penicillium italicum appeared to induce more changes in proximate and mineral composition. Penicillium italicum also recorded the highest increase in phytochemical content (tannin, saponin and total oxalate) in seeds inoculated with test fungi relative to the uninoculated (control) seeds.