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Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a nonpathogenic, nontoxigenic green algae used as a sustainable source of protein in foods. In order to mimic meat-like qualities, a strain rich in protoporphyrin IX (PPIX), an endogenous heme/chlorophyll precursor, was developed using an evolution and selection strategy, and investigations were carried out to evaluate the safety of the novel strain, C. reinhardtii (red), strain TAI114 (TAI114). Digestibility and proteomic evaluations were conducted to determine whether any potentially allergenic or toxic proteins occurred as the result of the mutation process. The genotoxic potential of pure PPIX was evaluated using a bacterial reverse mutation test, an in vitro mammalian chromosomal aberration test, and an in vivo mammalian micronucleus test. Finally, the novel TAI114 biomass was evaluated for general toxicity and identification of target organs in a 90-day repeated-dose oral toxicity study in rats. All proteins were rapidly degraded in pepsin at pH 2.0 suggesting low allergenic potential. The proteomic evaluation indicated that TAI114 biomass contains typical C. reinhardtii proteins. PPIX was unequivocally negative for genotoxic potential and no target organs or adverse effects were observed in rats up to the maximum feasible dose of 4000 mg/kg bw/day TAI114 biomass, which was determined to be the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL). These results support the further development and risk characterization of TAI114 biomass as a novel ingredient for use in the meat analogue category of food.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) has high levels of starch, sugar, and fiber and is one of the most important energy crops in the world. Insect damage is one of the challenges that impacts sorghum biomass production. There are at least 150 insect species that can infest sorghum varieties worldwide. These insects can complete several generations within a growing season, they target various parts of sorghum plants at developmental stages, and they cause significant biomass losses. Genetic research has revealed the existence of resistant genetics in sorghum and insect tolerant sorghum varieties have been identified. Various control methods have been developed, yet more effective management is needed for increasing sorghum biomass production. Although there are no transgenic sorghum products on the market yet, biotechnology has been recognized as an important tool for controlling insect pests and increasing sorghum production.

Summary Downy mildew (Plasmopara halstedii (Farl.) Berlese et de Toni) is a serious foliar pathogen of cultivated sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). Genetic resistance is conditioned by several linked downy mildew resistance gene specificities in the HaRGC1 cluster of TIR-NBS-LRR resistance gene candidates (RGCs) on linkage group 8. The complexity and diversity of the HaRGC1 cluster was assessed by multilocus intron fragment length polymorphism (IFLP) genotyping using a single pair of primers flanking a hypervariable intron located between the TIR and NBS domains. Two to 23 bands were amplified per germplasm accession. The size of the included intron ranged from 89 to 858 nucleotides. Forty-eight unique markers were distinguished among 24 elite inbred lines, six partially isogenic inbred lines, nine open-pollinated populations, four Native American land races, and 20 wild H. annuus populations. Nine haplotypes (based on 24 RGCs) were identified among elite inbred lines and were correlated with known downy mildew resistance specificities. Sixteen out of 39 RGCs identified in wild H. annuus populations were not observed in elite germplasm. Five partially isogenic downy mildew resistant lines developed from wild H. annuus and H. praecox donors carried eight RGCs not found in other elite inbred lines. Twenty-four HaRGC1 loci were mapped to a 2–4 cM segment of linkage group 8. The multilocus IFLP marker and duplicated, hypervariable microsatellite markers tightly linked to the HaRGC1 cluster are powerful tools for distinguishing downy mildew resistance gene specificities and identifying and introgressing new downy mildew resistance gene specificities from wild sunflowers.

Aims Our previous study indicates that hydrochlorothiazide inhibits transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad signaling pathway, improves cardiac function and reduces fibrosis. We determined whether these effects were common among the diuretics and whether angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1) signaling pathway played a role in these effects. Methods Heart failure was produced by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Two weeks after the ligation, 70 rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham-operated group, control group, valsartan group (80 mg/kg/day), hydrochlorothiazide group (12.5 mg/kg/day) and furosemide group (20 mg/kg/day). In addition, neonatal rat ventricular fibroblasts were treated with angiotensin II. Results After eight-week drug treatment, hydrochlorothiazide group and valsartan group but not furosemide group had improved cardiac function (ejection fraction was 49.4 ± 2.1%, 49.5 ± 1.8% and 39.9 ± 1.9%, respectively, compared with 40.1 ± 2.2% in control group), reduced cardiac interstitial fibrosis and collagen volume fraction (9.7 ± 1.2%, 10.0 ± 1.3% and 14.1 ± 0.8%, respectively, compared with 15.9 ± 1.1% in control group), and decreased expression of AT1, TGF-β and Smad2 in the cardiac tissues. In addition, hydrochlorothiazide reduced plasma angiotensin II and aldosterone levels. Furthermore, hydrochlorothiazide inhibited angiotensin II-induced TGF-β1 and Smad2 protein expression in the neonatal rat ventricular fibroblasts. Conclusions Our study indicates that the cardiac function and remodeling improvement after ischemic heart failure may not be common among the diuretics. Hydrochlorothiazide may reduce the left ventricular wall stress and angiotensin II signaling pathway to provide these beneficial effects. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.