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Chardonnay is a non-floral grape with economic value and nutritional properties that is widely grown in northwestern China. However, limited research has been conducted on exogenous spraying to regulate volatile compound metabolism (especially isoprene metabolism) in Chardonnay grapes. Benzothiadiazole (BTH) can induce disease resistance and augment the contents of phenolics and volatile compounds in grapes. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of BTH on the accumulation of isoprene aroma, carotenoid levels and the activity profiles of key enzymes. Chardonnay grapevines were treated with 0.37 mM BTH at veraison to investigate the impact on physicochemical parameters, carotenoids, metabolic enzyme activities, and free and bound isoprenoids in developing Chardonnay grapes. The results showed that reducing sugars, and total soluble solids of BTH-treated grapes increased, while the content of titratable acidity, β-carotene, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, chlorophyll, and total carotenoids in treated ripe grapes decreased relative to control berries. BTH-treated ripe grapes exhibited elevated levels of bound norisoprenoids and three key enzemy activities (carotenoid cleavage dioxygenase, phytoene synthase, lycopene β-cyclase), with a slight decrease in free norisoprenoids. Free and bound terpenoids profiles were also significantly enhanced by BTH treatment at veraison. Our findings offer novel perspectives into the modulation of isoprene biosynthesis in grape berries when exposed to BTH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An alpha-proteobacterial strain JXJ CY 53 T was isolated from the cyanosphere of Microcystis sp. FACHB-905 (MF-905) collected from Lake Dianchi, China. JXJ CY 53 T was observed to be an aerobic, Gram-stain-negative, oval shaped, and mucus-secreting bacterium. It had C18:1ω7c and C16:0 as the major cellular fatty acids, Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone, and sphingoglycolipid, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylmethylethanolamine as the polar lipids. The G + C content of DNA was 65.85%. The bacterium had 16S rRNA gene sequence identities of 98.9% and 98.7% with Sphingomonas panni DSM 15761 T and Sphingomonas hankookensis KCTC 22579 T, respectively, while less than 97.4% identities with other members of the genus. Further taxonomic analysis indicated that JXJ CY 53 T represented a new member of Sphingomonas, and the species epithet was proposed as Sphingomonas lacusdianchii sp. nov. (type strain JXJ CY 53 T = KCTC 72813 T = CGMCC 1.17657 T). JXJ CY 53 T promoted the growth of MF-905 by providing bio-available phosphorus and nitrogen, plant hormones, vitamins, and carotenoids. It could modulate the relative abundances of nonculturable bacteria associated with MF-905 and influence the interactions of MF-905 and other bacteria isolated from the cyanobacterium, in addition to microcystin production characteristics. Meanwhile, MF-905 could provide JXJ CY 53 T dissolved organic carbon for growth, and control the growth of JXJ CY 53 T by secreting specific chemicals other than microcystins. Overall, these results suggest that the interactions between Microcystis and its attached bacteria are complex and dynamic, and may influence the growth characteristics of the cyanobacterium. This study provided new ideas to understand the interactions between Microcystis and its attached bacteria. Key points: • A novel bacterium (JXJCY 53T) was isolated from the cyanosphere of Microcystis sp. FACHB-905 (MF-905) • JXJCY 53Tmodulated the growth and microcystin production of MF-905 • MF-905 could control the attached bacteria by specific chemicals other than microcystins (MCs) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Crocin is a major class of medicinal components in saffron. This study aimed to determine whether crocin directly promotes the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) in vitro and in vivo. Materials and Methods: CCK8 cell proliferation assay, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT–qPCR), Western blot analysis and Alizarin Red staining were performed in PDLSCs using crocin as a stimulant. DKK1 was used to selectively inhibit Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, and Western blotting was performed to investigate the underlying mechanism. The PDLSCs were mixed with calcium phosphate cement and implanted into nude mice subcutaneously to study the effect of crocin on PDLSC osteogenic differentiation in vivo. Results: The CCK‐8 assay showed that crocin did not promote the proliferation of PDLSCs. Treatment with 400 μM crocin significantly promoted PDLSC mRNA levels of ALP, COL1 and OCN; RUNX2 and BMP2 protein expression; mineralized nodule formation in vitro and in vivo; and ALP activity in tissues in vivo. In addition, crocin significantly promoted the phosphorylation of β‐catenin and cyclin D1. DKK1 inhibits Wnt/β‐catenin activation and partially reverses crocin‐mediated promotion of PDLSC osteogenic differentiation. Conclusion: Crocin may contribute to the regeneration of periodontal bone tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osmanthus fragrans, belonging to the family Oleaceae, is listed as one of the most important traditional ornamental plant species in China. A new cultivar O. fragrans 'Wucaigui' has a very diversified form in terms of leaf colors, in which the leaf color changes from red to yellow-green and finally to dark green. To understand the mechanisms involved in leaf color changes, metabolome and transcriptome studies were performed on leaves at different developmental stages. A total of 79 metabolites, two chlorophyll, 26 carotenoids, and 51 anthocyanins, were detected in the 6 different developmental stages. An orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis identified key metabolites at different developmental stages, including lutein, pelargonidin-3-O-(6-O-p-coumaroyl)-glucoside, neoxanthin, and α-carotene. A total of 48,837 genes were obtained by transcriptome sequencing, including 3295 novel genes. Using a weighted gene co-expression network analysis to study the correlations between key metabolites and differentially expressed genes, we determined the characteristic modules having the highest correlations with key metabolites and selected associated candidate genes. Five genes (OfSHOU4L, OfATL1B, OfUGE5 OfEIF1AX, and OfUGE3) were finally identified as hub genes using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. In addition, we proposed a model based on the changes in key metabolite contents and the network regulatory map during the changes in O. fragrans 'Wucaigui' leaf color. The positive regulation of OfUGE3 led to an increase in the lutein content, which resulted in the leaves changing from grayish brown to moderate brown; during the change from moderate brown to dark greenish-yellow, the positive regulation of three genes (OfHOU4L, OfATL1B, and OfUGE5) increased the content of pelargonidin-3-O-(6-O-p-coumaroyl)-glucoside and the red color of the leaves gradually faded to dark greenish-yellow and then to strong yellow-green; the positive regulation of OfEIF1AX increased the content of neoxanthin; the stages in which the color changed from strong yellow-green to yellow-green and then to moderate olive-green were positively regulated by OfUGE3, which resulted in higher α-carotene content. These findings provided new insights into the mechanisms underlying the processes involved in O. fragrans 'Wucaigui' leaf color changes at the metabolic and transcriptional levels. This work seeks to contribute to the development of artificial regulate and control technology in the breeding and production of O. fragrans and other ornamental plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids are important bioactive substances in breast milk, the profile of which is seldom studied. This study aimed to explore the profile of carotenoids in breast milk and maternal/cord plasma of healthy mother–neonate pairs in Shanghai, China, and their correlation with dietary intake. Maternal blood, umbilical cord blood and breast milk samples from five lactation stages (colostrum, transitional milk and early-, mid- and late-term mature milk) were collected. Carotenoid levels were analysed by HPLC. Carotenoid levels in breast milk changed as lactation progressed (P < 0·001). β -Carotene was the primary carotenoid in colostrum. Lutein accounted for approximately 50 % of total carotenoids in transitional milk, mature milk and cord blood. Positive correlations were observed between five carotenoids in umbilical cord blood and maternal blood (P all < 0·001). β -Carotene levels were also correlated between maternal plasma and three stages of breast milk (r = 0·605, P < 0·001; r = 0·456, P = 0·011, r = 0·446; P = 0·013, respectively). Dietary carotenoid intakes of lactating mothers also differed across lactation stages, although no correlation with breast milk concentrations was found. These findings suggest the importance of exploring the transport mechanism of carotenoids between mothers and infants and help guide the development of formulas for Chinese infants as well as the nutritional diets of lactating mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lycium barharum L. is a food and drug homologous substance, rich in polysaccharides, betaine, anthocyanins, carotenoids and other active ingredients, and has good application value in health care functions such as improving immunity, relieving visual fatigue, and antioxidant, so it has been favored by researchers and consumers at home and abroad. At present, the application frequency of Lycium barharum L. in health food in China is relatively high, but there is a lack of systematic sorting and analysis. Based on this, this paper analyzes the application status, compliance and use basis, and influencing factors of the main functional components of Lycium barharum L. in China's health food, and discusses the main health functions and mechanisms of Lycium barharum L. in detail, in order to provide a certain reference and basis for the research, development and application of Lycium barharum L. in China's health food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variety known as loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.) is subtropical in nature. The primary cultivators of loquat are China and Spain. It has a substantial nutritional composition, that is high in minerals, organic acids, vitamins, and carbohydrates. Moreover, a variety of bioactive substances, including flavonoids, triterpenoids, carotenoids, and phenolics, are abundant in loquat. These substances exhibit various biological properties, including cytotoxic, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and antitumor properties. Numerous investigations carried out in vitro and in vivo have shown that loquat may have health benefits. To establish a link between the bioactive compounds and their biological activities, more research is necessary, thereby augmenting our understanding of the properties of this plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica) is a common building material and landscaping tree species in northern China, with significant economic and ecological value. Its seedling growth is inhibited by high light intensity, but the mechanism by which light stress affects the growth and development of its seedlings remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the phenotypes, physiological processes, and molecular responses of 3-year-old Mongolian oak seedlings under different light treatments: full light (Sck), light shading (S1; 40% light), moderate shading (S2; 20% light), and severe shading (S3; 3% light). Compared to Sck, the S1 and S2 treatments resulted in higher leaf area, photosynthetic pigment content, photosynthesis rates, soluble sugar contents, and soluble protein contents in Mongolian oak seedlings. The S1 and S2 treatments also promoted seedling height and diameter growth and resulted in lower degrees of membrane lipid peroxidation, cell membrane permeability, and antioxidant enzyme activity. In contrast, severe shading (S3) significantly inhibited seedling height and diameter growth due to the lower net photosynthetic rate, and exhibiting higher degrees of membrane lipid peroxidation and cell membrane permeability. Shading treatments (S1 and S2) alleviated the negative effects of strong light on the growth and development of Mongolian oak seedlings, with the S2 treatment having the greatest effect. However, severe shading (S3) inhibited growth and development. A total of 3726 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in leaves under different shading treatments in RNA sequencing analysis. Among these, 1691, 3150, and 824 DEGs were detected in the Sck-S1, Sck-S2, and S1-S2 comparison groups, respectively. The different shading treatments determined common expression regulation pathways, including carotenoid biosynthesis, photosynthetic antenna proteins, and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction. Shading induced increases in gene expression levels in light harvesting complexes, which are related to changes in gene expression in the photosynthetic system, leading to changes in photosynthetic physiology. The expression levels of genes related to reactive oxygen species signal perception and activation enzymes were upregulated in Sck. Together, these findings revealed the response mechanisms of Mongolian oak seedlings to different shading levels at the physiological and molecular levels, providing a scientific basis and technical support for the cultivation and large-scale production of Mongolian oak seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Paphiopedilum armeniacum (P. armeniacum), an ornamental plant native to China, is known for its distinctive yellow blossoms. However, the mechanisms underlying P. armeniacum flower coloration remain unclear. Methods. We selected P. armeniacum samples from different flowering stages and conducted rigorous physicochemical analyses. The specimens were differentiated based on their chemical properties, specifically their solubilities in polar solvents. This key step enabled us to identify the main metabolite of flower color development of P. armeniacum, and to complete the identification by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) based on the results. Additionally, we employed a combined approach, integrating both third-generation full-length transcriptome sequencing and second-generation high-throughput transcriptome sequencing, to comprehensively explore the molecular components involved. Results. We combined physical and chemical analysis with transcriptome sequencing to reveal that carotenoid is the main pigment of P. armeniacum flower color. Extraction colorimetric method and HPLC were used to explore the characteristics of carotenoid accumulation during flowering. We identified 28 differentially expressed carotenoid biosynthesis genes throughout the flowering process, validated their expression through fluorescence quantification, and discovered 19 potential positive regulators involved in carotenoid synthesis. Among these candidates, three RCP2 genes showed a strong potential for governing the PDS and ZDS gene families. In summary, our study elucidates the fundamental mechanisms governing carotenoid synthesis during P. armeniacum flowering, enhancing our understanding of this process and providing a foundation for future research on the molecular mechanisms driving P. armeniacum flowering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Edgeworthia chrysantha, a deciduous shrub endemic to China, is known for its high ornamental value, extensive cultivation history, and wide-ranging applications. However, theoretical research on this plant is severely lacking. While its flowering process displays striking color transitions from green (S1) to yellow (S2) and then to white (S3), the scientific exploration of this phenomenon is limited, and the underlying regulatory mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. Results: Correlation analysis between phenotypic measurements and pigment content revealed that carotenoids and chlorophyll are the key pigments responsible for the color changes. Metabolomic analysis of carotenoids demonstrated that lutein and β-carotene were present at higher levels in S1, while S2 exhibited increased diversity and quantity of carotenoids compared to other stages. Notably, antheraxanthin, zeaxanthin, lycopene, and α-cryptoxanthin showed significant increases. In S3, apart from the colorless phytoene, other carotenoid metabolites were significantly reduced to extremely low levels. Transcriptomic data indicated that PSY, Z-ISO, crtZ, ZEP, PDS and ZDS are key genes involved in carotenoid biosynthesis and accumulation, while NCED plays a crucial role in carotenoid degradation. SGR was identified as a key gene contributing to the progressive decline in chlorophyll content. Additionally, three transcription factors potentially regulating carotenoid metabolism were also identified. Conclusions: This study represents the first systematic investigation, spanning from phenotypic to molecular levels, of the color-changing phenomenon in E. chrysantha. The study elucidates the crucial pigments, metabolites, genes, and transcription factors responsible for flower color changes during the flowering process, thereby providing preliminary understanding of the intrinsic regulatory mechanisms. These findings establish a theoretical foundation for the genetic improvement of flower color in E. chrysantha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wolfberry is rich in carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamins, alkaloids, betaines and other bioactive ingredients. For over 2,000 years, wolfberry has been used in China as a medicinal and edible plant resource. Nevertheless, the content of bioactive ingredients varies by cultivars, resulting in uneven quality across wolfberry cultivars and species. To date, research has revealed little about the underlying molecular mechanism of the metabolism of flavonoids, carotenoids, and other bioactive ingredients in wolfberry. Results: In this context, the transcriptomes of the Lycium barbarum L. cultivar 'Ningqi No. 1' and Lycium chinense Miller were compared during the fruit maturity stage using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing platform, and subsequently, the changes of the gene expression profiles in two types of wolfberries were analysed. In total, 256,228,924 clean reads were obtained, and 8817 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, then assembled by Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) similarity searches and annotated using Gene Ontology (GO), Clusters of Orthologous Groups of proteins (KOG), and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). By combining these transcriptome data with data from the PubMed database, 36 DEGs related to the metabolism of bioactive ingredients and implicated in the metabolic pathway of carotenoids, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, vitamins, etc., were identified. In addition, among the 9 differentially expressed transcription factors, LbAPL, LbPHL11 and LbKAN4 have raised concerns. The protein physicochemical properties, structure prediction and phylogenetic analysis indicated that LbAPL and LbPHL11 may be good candidate genes involved in regulating the flavonoid metabolism pathway in wolfberry. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence for the differences in bioactive ingredient content at the transcription level among different wolfberry species, as well as a research and theoretical basis for the screening, cloning and functional analysis of key genes involved in the metabolism of bioactive ingredients in wolfberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haliotis gigantea, a commercially cultivated abalone in China, predominantly displays the pale-yellow-footed trait. However, a limited occurrence of the orange-footed muscle trait makes it a valuable candidate for breeding programs. In our research, we examined the inheritance pattern of the orange-footed trait and conducted a 90-day feeding trial for H. gigantea to compare the influence of formulated feed and macroalgae on pigment enrichment and growth rates. Our results suggest that the orange-footed trait has a recessive nature relative to its common counterpart and demonstrates stable inheritance. We also identified a significant correlation between color-difference values (a*) and total carotenoid content (TCC) (R2 = 0.955, p < 0.05), suggesting the TCC in abalone foot muscle can be estimated using the a* value. Furthermore, introducing carotenoids to formulated feed imparts an orange hue to the foot muscle, but this effect is inferior compared to using Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis with a similar carotenoid content. This suggests that H. gigantea has a higher absorption efficiency for the carotenoids from the macroalgae G. lemaneiformis compared to formulated feed. Growth assessments indicate that the formulated feed, enriched with higher crude protein than G. lemaneiformis, optimally supports H. gigantea growth. Our findings furnish valuable insights that could steer breeding strategies and feeding practices towards achieving the orange-footed muscle trait in H. gigantea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese dwarf cherry (Cerasus humilis) is a wild fruit tree and medicinal plant endemic to China. Its fruits are rich in various bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids and carotenoids, which contribute greatly to their high antioxidant capacity. In this study, the contents of bioactive substances (chlorophyll, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, anthocyanin, total flavonoids, and total phenols), antioxidant capacities, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonicacid) (ABTS+) scavenging ability, and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)) in differentially pigmented C. humilis fruits of four varieties were determined and compared. The results revealed that anthocyanin, total flavonoids and total phenols were the three main components responsible for the antioxidant activity of C. humilis fruits. 'Jinou No.1' fruits with dark red peel and red flesh had the highest contents of anthocyanin, total flavonoids, and total phenols, as well as the highest antioxidant capacities; 'Nongda No.5' fruits with yellow-green peel and yellow flesh had the highest contents of carotenoids and chlorophyll, while 'Nongda No.6' fruit had the highest ascorbic acid content. To further reveal the molecular mechanism underlying differences in the accumulation of carotenoids and flavonoids among differentially pigmented C. humilis fruits, the expression patterns of structural genes involved in the biosynthesis of the two compounds were investigated. Correlation analysis results revealed that the content of carotenoids in C. humilis fruits was very significantly positively correlated with the expression of the ChCHYB, ChZEP, ChVDE, ChNSY, ChCCD1, ChCCD4, ChNCED1, and ChNCED5 genes (p < 0.01) and significantly negatively correlated with the expression of ChZDS (p < 0.05). The anthocyanin content was very significantly positively correlated with ChCHS, ChFLS, and ChUFGT expression (p < 0.01). The total flavonoid content was very significantly positively correlated with the expression of ChCHS, ChUFGT, and ChC4H (p < 0.01) and significantly positively correlated with ChFLS expression (p < 0.05). This study can provide a basis for understanding the differences in the accumulation of bioactive substances, and is helpful for clarifying the mechanisms underlying the accumulation of various carotenoids and flavonoids among differentially pigmented C. humilis fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

M. candidum, an evergreen shrubby flower known for its superior adaptation ability in South China, has gained increased attention in garden applications. However, scant attention has been paid to its flower development and color formation process at the non-coding RNA level. To fill this gap, we conducted a comprehensive analysis based on long non-coding RNA sequencing (lncRNAseq), RNA-seq, small RNA sequencing (sRNA-seq), and widely targeted metabolome detection of three different flower developmental stages of M. candidum. After differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs), differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs), differentially expressed microRNAs (DEmiRNAs), and differentially synthesized metabolites (DSmets) analyses between the different flower developmental stages, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were conducted to identify some key genes and metabolites in flavonoid, flavone, anthocyanin, carotenoid, and alkaloid-related GO terms and biosynthetic pathways. Three direct-acting models, including antisense-acting, cis-acting, and trans-acting between lncRNAs and mRNAs, were detected to illustrate the direct function of lncRNAs on target genes during flower development and color formation. Based on the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory theory, we constructed a lncRNA-mediated regulatory network composed of DElncRNAs, DEmiRNAs, DEmRNAs, and DSmets to elucidate the indirect role of lncRNAs in the flower development and color formation of M. candidum. By utilizing correlation analyses between DERNAs and DSmets within the ceRNA regulatory network, alongside verification trials of the ceRNA regulatory mechanism, the study successfully illustrated the significance of lncRNAs in flower development and color formation process. This research provides a foundation for improving and regulating flower color at the lncRNA level in M. candidum, and sheds light on the potential applications of non-coding RNA in studies of flower development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key factors for resistance to chilling injury in apricot fruits were obtained by analyzing the low-temperature storage characteristics of 21 varieties of apricot fruits in the main producing areas of China. Twenty-one varieties of apricots from different production areas in China were stored at 0 °C for 50 d and then shelved at 25 °C. The storage quality, chilling injury, reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant ability, and contents of bioactive substances of the apricots were measured and analyzed. The results showed that the 21 varieties of apricot fruits could be divided into two categories according to tolerance during low-temperature storage, where there was chilling tolerance and lack of chilling tolerance. Eleven varieties of apricots, of which Xiangbai and Yunbai are representative, suffered from severe chilling injury after cold storage and shelf life. After 50 d of storage at 0 °C, the levels of superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide accumulated in the 11 varieties of apricots with a lack of chilling tolerance during storage were significantly higher than those in the remaining 10 varieties of apricots with chilling tolerance. In addition, the activities of ROS scavenging enzymes, represented by superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase, were significantly decreased in 11 varieties of apricots with a lack of chilling tolerance during storage. The contents of bioactive substances with ROS scavenging ability, represented by ascorbic acid, total phenols, carotenoids, and total flavonoids, also significantly decreased. The 10 varieties of apricots, of which Akeximixi and Suanmao are representative, were less affected by chilling injury because the production and removal of ROS were maintained at normal levels, avoiding the damaging effects of ROS accumulation in the fruit. In addition, the 10 apricot varieties with chilling tolerance during storage had higher sugar and acid contents after harvest. This could supply energy for physiological metabolism during cold storage and provide carbon skeletons for secondary metabolism, thus enhancing the chilling tolerance of the fruits. Based on the results of cluster analysis combined with the geographical distribution of the 21 fruit varieties, it was found that apricot varieties with chilling tolerance during storage were all from the northwestern region of China where diurnal temperature differences and rapid climate changes occur. In conclusion, maintaining the balance of ROS production and removal in apricots during cold storage is a key factor to enhance the storage tolerance of apricots. Moreover, apricots with higher initial glycolic acid and bioactive substance contents are less susceptible to chilling injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] This study explored the differences in heat resistance of different varieties of Helleborus orientlis under high temperature stress and screened the varieties suitable for garden application in summer high temperature areas of China to improve the cultivation of new varieties with heat resistance. [Method] Nine varieties of Helleborus orientlis were selected to observe symptoms of heat injury, detect effects on physiological indexes and study high temperature tolerance through artificial simulation of high temperature stress. Combined with membership function analysis, the heat resistance was evaluated comprehensively. [Result] Under high temperature stress, Single white and Single white pink vein had no obvious symptoms of heat injury. Contents of total chlorophyll (Chi (a + b)), chlorophyll a (Chi a), chlorophyll b (Chi b) and carotenoid (Caro) as well as relative water content (REC) of all cultivars decreased. Relative conductivity (RWC), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities increased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) content, proline (Pro) content and catalase (CAT) activity varied differently among varieties. According to the subordination function analysis, the heat resistance of studied varieties was in the order of Single white > Anemone white spotted > Single white pinkvein>Anemone white>Double white spotted > Anemone red>Double red>Double white>Double green spotted. [Conclusion] Single white had the strongest heat resistance among the nine Helleborus orientlis varieties and it is most suitable for planting in gardens in areas with high temperature in summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanistic studies have suggested that antioxidants have beneficial effects on age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This study aimed to investigate the association between the types and sources of dietary vitamin and carotenoid intakes and AMD risk in China. A matched case–control study of 260 AMD cases and 260 matched controls was performed. The participants were interviewed for dietary information and potential confounders, and comprehensive ophthalmic examinations were performed. Conditional logistic models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) of specific vitamins and carotenoids and their main sources. When comparing the extreme quartiles, the ORs (95 % CI) were 0·30 (0·10, 0·88) for lutein and 0·28 (0·11, 0·74) for β -cryptoxanthin. The associations for other dietary vitamin and carotenoid intakes were generally weaker and non-significant. Higher intakes of spinach and egg, which are important sources of lutein, were associated with a reduced odds of AMD. ORs (95% CIs) comparing extreme categories were 0·42 (0·20, 0·88) for spinach and 0·52 (95% CI: 0·27, 0·98) for egg. Participants who were in the highest category of both egg intake and spinach intake had a much greater reduced odds of having AMD (OR: 0·23; 95% CI: 0·08, 0·71) than those in the lowest category of egg intake and spinach intake. In conclusion, a higher intake of lutein and lutein-rich foods was associated with a significantly decreased odds of AMD. These findings provide further evidence of the benefits of lutein and lutein-rich foods in the prevention of AMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lycium barbarum is one of the most popular herbs in China. The high medicinal value can serve as a functional food rich in nutrients (such as polysaccharides, plant flavonoids, and carotenoids), further promoting glucose and lipid metabolism for better immune system, and mental efficiency, and even preventing neurodegeneration. The berry fruits with high water content can be dried to improve their shelf life using vacuum freeze drying. In this study, a numerical simulation was carried out to explore the heat and mass transfer, stress, and strain of Lycium barbarum during freeze-vacuum drying. Among them, the heat and mass transfer was a benefit to exploring the drying mechanism of Lycium barbarum freeze during vacuum drying. The stress and strain was to explore the cellular changes of Lycium barbarum freeze-vacuum during drying. The temperature experiment was carried out by vacuum freeze dryer. The pre-freezing stage was set at -40 for about 4 hours,°C then the vacuum was drawn at two heating rates (5, and 10 /h). The constant temperature was maintained when the heating°C plate temperature reached 40 . The cell change experiment was carried out by FDCS196 hot and cold table. The whole°C process was combined with the microscope and CCD camera, in order to obtain the real-time image of berry cells. The heat-mass-stress coupling of the drying was dominated by the high quality of the products. The heat-mass-structure coupling model during vacuum freeze drying was established to use binarization processing using the experimental image of fresh berry slices. The temperature, moisture, as well as internal stress, and strain of the fresh berry sample, were analyzed and then verified by experiments during vacuum freeze drying. The results showed that the length shrinkage (Sl) and equivalent diameter contraction (Sd) of berry tissue cells were always negative during the pre-freezing process, indicating the ever-expanding cells. By contrast, the cell shape coefficient (Sf) was increasing all the time. At the same time, the maximum stress was found on the cells, when the cells were completely frozen. The moisture of the sample during the simulation was fitted better with the WangandSingh and HendersonandPabis models, indicating the more suitable WangandSingh model(R² = 0.983). The experimental results show that the temperature of samples during the simulation was highly consistent with the experiment, indicating the better performance of the model. In addition, the cell shape was gradually altered around in the varying position with the decrease of sample temperature in the process of the pre-freezing experiment(R² = 0.857). A better consistency was found with the analysis data of stress and strain of sample cells during simulation.The research results can provide reference for the optimization of vacuum freeze drying system and the scientific formulation of process parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: With the development of the pepper industry and the increasing number of people who prefer spicy peppers, consumers' demands for high‐quality peppers have increased. Nine pepper cultivars from Guizhou province, China were collected and their colour, physicochemical and microbiological indices and bioactive components were analysed and evaluated. Six phenolic compounds and eight carotenoids were determined using HPLC and UPLC, respectively. The nine peppers showed significant colour variability and could be divided into two main categories, red and yellow. In addition, the peppers also differed in physicochemical and microbiological indicators. The capsaicin content ranged from 0.35 mg/g for X63 to 1.64 mg/g for the SH variety. In terms of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and vitamin C (VC) content, SH was the highest, followed by HMPC‐20 and X63 cultivars. Catechin and capsanthin were the main phenolic compounds and carotenoids with levels of 192.21–384.73 μg/g and 42.88–69.94 μg/g, respectively. Overall, SH pepper was significantly better than the other eight samples. This study provides guidance and reference for the selection of optimal pepper raw materials for in‐depth development in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea is a vital beverage crop all over the world, including in China. Low temperatures restrict its growth, development, and terrestrial distribution, and cold event variability worsens cold damage. However, the physiological and molecular mechanisms of Camellia sinensis under shade in winter remain unclear. In our study, tea leaves were utilized for physiological attributes and transcriptome analysis in November and December in three shading groups and no-shade control plants. When compared to the no-shade control plants, the shading group protected tea leaves from cold damage, increased photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) and soil plant analysis development (SPAD), and sustained chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents by physiological mean. Then, transcriptome analysis revealed 20,807 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and transcription factors (TFs) in November and December. A comparative study of transcriptome resulted in 3,523 DEGs and many TFs under SD0% vs. SD30%, SD0% vs. SD60%, and SD0% vs. SD75% of shading in November and December. Statistically, 114 DEGs were downregulated and 72 were upregulated under SD0% vs. SD30%. SD0% vs. SD60% resulted in 154 DEGs, with 60 downregulated and 94 upregulated. Similarly, there were 505 DEGs of which 244 were downregulated and 263 were upregulated under SD0% vs. SD75% of shading throughout November. However, 279 DEGs were downregulated and 105 were upregulated under SD0% vs. SD30%. SD0% vs. SD60% resulted in 296 DEGs, with 172 downregulated and 124 upregulated. Finally, 2,173 DEGs were regulated in December, with 1,428 downregulated and 745 upregulated under SD0% vs. SD75%. These indicate that the number of downregulated DEGs in December was higher than the number of upregulated DEGs in November during low temperatures. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses of differentially expressed genes were highly regulated in the photosynthesis, plant hormone signal transduction, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. However, qRT-PCR and RNA-seq relative expression of photosynthetic (DEGs) Lhcb2 in both November and December, plant hormone (DEGs) BRI1 and JAZ in November and IAA and ERF1 in December, and key DEGs of MAPK signal transduction FLS2, CHIB, and MPK4 in November and RBOH, MKK4_5, and MEKK1 in December in three shading groups and no-shade control plants responded to tea cold tolerance. The enhanced expression of light-harvesting photosystem I gene Lhca5, light-harvesting photosystem II gene Lhcb2, and mitogen-activated protein kinases MEKK1 and MPK4/6 enhance the cold-tolerance mechanism of C. sinensis. These comprehensive transcriptomic findings are significant for furthering our understanding of the genes and underlying regulatory mechanisms of shade-mediated low-temperature stress tolerance in horticultural crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goji berry is a general term for various plant species in the genus Lycium. Goji has long been historically used in traditional Chinese medicines. Goji is a representative tonic medicine that has the effects of nourishing the liver and kidney and benefiting the essence and eyesight. It has been widely used in the treatment of various diseases, including tinnitus, impotence, spermatorrhea and blood deficiency, since ancient times. This study aims to comprehensively summarize the quality evaluation methods of the main compounds in goji, as well as the current research status of the phenolamides in goji and their pharmacological effects, to explore the feasibility of using phenolamides as quality control markers and thus improve the quality and efficacy in goji. Relevant literature from PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, CNKI and other databases was comprehensively collected, screened and summarized. According to the collected literature, the quality evaluation markers of goji in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China are Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) and betaine. As a result of its structure complexity, only the total level of LBP can be determined, while betaine is not prominent in the pharmacological action of goji and lacks species distinctiveness. Neither of them can well explain the quality of goji. KuA and KuB are commonly used as quality evaluation markers of the Lycii cortex because of their high levels and suitable pharmacological activity. Goji is rich in polyphenols, carotenoids and alkaloids. Many studies have used the above compounds to establish quality evaluation methods but the results have not been satisfactory. Phenolamides have often been neglected in previous studies because of their low single compound levels and high separation difficulty. However, in recent years, the favorable pharmacological activities of phenolamides have been gradually recognized, and studies on goji phenolamides are greatly increasing. In addition, phenolamides have higher species distinctiveness than other compounds and can be combined with other compounds to better evaluate the quality of goji to improve its average quality. The phenolamides in the goji are rich and play a key role in antioxidation, anti-inflammation, neuroprotection and immunomodulation. As a result of their characteristics, it is suitable to evaluate the quality by quantitative analysis of multi-components by single-marker and fingerprint. This method can be combined with other techniques to improve the quality evaluation system of goji, which lays a foundation for their effectiveness and provides a reference for new quality evaluation methods of similar herbal medicines. [Display omitted] • This review comprehensively examined the existing quality control methods for chemical components in goji. • Goji phenolamides possess a variety of pharmacological activities, including antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. • Phenolamides are suitable markers for evaluating goji quality using QAMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camellia reticulata (Lindl.) is an important ornamental plant in China. Long-term natural or artificial selections have resulted in diverse phenotypes, especially for flower colors. Modulating flower colors can enhance the visual appeal and economic value in ornamental plants. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying flower color differentiation in C. reticulata. We performed a combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis of the petals of a popular variety C. reticulata (HHYC) (red), and its two cultivars "Xuejiao" (XJ) (pink) and "Tongzimian" (TZM) (white). Targeted metabolome profiling identified 310 flavonoid compounds of which 18 anthocyanins were differentially accumulated among the three samples with an accumulation pattern of HHYC > XJ > TZM. Likewise, transcriptome analysis showed that carotenoid and anthocyanin biosynthetic structural genes were mostly expressed in order of HHYC > XJ > TZM. Two genes (gene- LOC114287745765 and gene-LOC114289234) encoding for anthocyanidin 3- O-glucosyltransferase are predicted to be responsible for red coloration in HHYC and XJ. We also detected 42 MYB and 29 bHLH transcription factors as key regulators of anthocyanin-structural genes. Overall, this work showed that flavonoids, particularly anthocyanins contents are the major determinants of flower color differentiation among the 3 C. reticulata samples. In addition, the main regulatory and structural genes modulating anthocyanin contents in C. reticulata have been unveiled. Our results will help in the development of Camellia varieties with specific flower color and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerobic anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria (AAPB) are a kind of heterotrophic prokaryote that can use bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) for photosynthesis without oxygen production and they are widely distributed in aquatic environments, including oceans, lakes, and rivers. A novel aerobic anoxygenic photosynthetic bacterium strain XJSPT was isolated during a study of water microbial diversity in Sayram Lake, Xinjiang Province, China. Strain XJSPT was found to grow optimally at 33 °C, pH 7.5 with 1.0% (w/v) NaCl, and to produce bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence and concatenated alignment sequences of 120 ubiquitous single-copy proteins both supported that strain XJSPT belonged to the genus Pseudotabrizicola. Both average nucleotide identity (ANI) and DNA–DNA hybridization (DDH) values were below the species delineation threshold. The primary polar lipids were phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unknown lipid, and one unidentified phospholipid. Based on the results of polyphasic analyses performed in this study, strain XJSPT represents a new member of the genus Pseudotabrizicola, for which the name Pseudotabrizicola formosa sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XJSPT (= KCTC 52636T = MCCC 1H00184T = SDUM 107003T). Comparative genomic analysis showed that four species of the genus Pseudotabrizicola shared 2570 core genes and possessed a complete anoxygenic photosystem II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Citrus reticulata Blanco 'Orah' is one of the most widely grown citrus varieties in southern China. It has been proven that microbial and organic manure fertilization improve the yields and appearances of 'Orah' fruits. However, details regarding the mechanisms underlying the effects of combined fertilization on the agronomic traits and rhizosphere bacterial community of plants still need to be elucidated., Results: This study compared the rhizosphere bacterial community and carotenoids of 'Orah' with (WYT group) and without (WYCK group) combined fertilization in a local orchard in Wuming town from Nanning, Guangxi, China. The WYT group was sprayed with 50 ml Strongreen and 250 g of Yumeiren five times while WYCK group did not sprayed. Combined fertilization increased fruit weight and the Citrus color index (CCI) significantly (p < 0.05). By 16s rRNA sequencing, 7,126 operational taxonomic units (OTU) were obtained. A higher Shannon index was observed in the WYT group compared to that in the WYCK group. Comparison between the two groups showed that Pseudomonas was enriched in the WYT group with LDA (log10) score of 4.32, and Cyanobacteria was enriched in the WYCK group with LDA (log10) score of -4.11. At the family level, Phyllobacteriaceae (abundance mean: 0.0046 in WYCK vs. 0.0073 in WYT) was significantly abundant in the WYT group, whereas Thermosporothrix (abundance mean: 0.00053 in WYCK vs. 0.0019 in WYT) and Sphingobium (abundance mean: 0.00053 in WYCK vs. 0.0013 in WYT) were significantly abundant in the WYCK group. A total of 51 carotenoid components were tested by UPLC-MS/MS. In the pulp tissues, 37 carotenoid components were decreased in the WYT group compared to those in the WYCK group. In fruit skin, 24 significantly different components (7 downregulated and 17 upregulated) were identified in WYT compared to those in WYCK. Correlation analysis revealed that the network between OTUs and carotenoids contained seven carotenoid components and four OTUs. Four OTUs, strain TRA3-20 (a eubacterium), Roseiflexus, OPB35, and Fictibacillus correlated to carotenoid accumulation regulation in fruit skin., Conclusions: This study demonstrates the impact of the fertilization on soil microorganisms and carotenoid components. It constructs the regulatory network contained four OTUs for seven carotenoid components, providing evidence on precise fertilization in Orah., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate Not applicable. Consent for publication Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Chinese narcissus (Narcissus tazetta var. chinensis) was introduced to China 1300–1400 years ago, and has grown naturally in southeastern China. It is a popular Chinese traditional potted flower and a well-known flowering bulb cultivated worldwide with only two white-tepal triploid cultivars, 'Jinzhan Yintai' and 'Yulinglong'. Recently, a mutant with yellow tepals was observed and promptly became popular. To clarify the key pigment for color difference and its molecular mechanism of accumulation, we conducted pigment metabolite analysis and comparative transcriptome analysis on 'Jinzhan Yintai' and the yellow-flowered mutant. The results showed that there was no significant difference in total flavonoid content between the mutant and 'Jinzhan Yintai', whereas the total carotenoid content of the mutant was more than 10-fold higher than that of 'Jinzhan Yintai'. Based on the RNA-sequencing results, sixty-four unigenes, corresponding to 29 enzymes associated with the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway, were analyzed in detail. A comparative KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, in conjunction with quantitative real-time PCR data, revealed the opposite gene expression mode of the carotenoid biosynthesis pathway. Compared with 'Jinzhan Yintai ', PSY and PDS were up-regulated in the three mid-flowering stages of the mutant, whereas NCED genes were strongly down-regulated, which likely contributed to carotenoid accumulation in chromoplasts of the tepals in the mutant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background and Objectives: Genetic and dietary factors are important contributors to the development of dental fluorosis (DF). This study investigated the association between DF and dietary carotenoids, and explored whether the association was modified by polymorphisms of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2 rs11968525) in Guizhou, China.Methods and Study Design: A cross-sectional study with a total of 899 adults aged 18-75 years were enrolled in the study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to assess dietary habits using a validated 75 item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Sociodemographic and lifestyle information, and blood and urine samples were also collected. Genotypes were evaluated using TaqMan single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Genotyping Assay.Results: There were significant dose-dependent inverse associations of the prevalence of DF with intake of α-carotene, β-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, lycopene and total carotenoids (p-trend ranged from <0.001-0.004). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of DF comparing the highest against lowest quartile were 0.56 (0.35, 0.92) for α-carotene, 0.53 (0.35, 0.81) for β-carotene, 0.44 (0.27, 0.74) for lycopene, 0.35 (0.21, 0.58) for lutein/zeaxanthin in combination and 0.42 (0.25, 0.69) for total carotenoids (all p-trend<0.005). Intake of β-cryptoxanthin was not found to be related to DF. The inverse association of DF with dietary intake of α-carotene and β-carotene was more evident in individuals with the AG+AA genotype (p-interaction<0.05).Conclusions: Higher dietary carotenoids were associated with a lower occurrence of DF, polymorphisms in SOD2 (rs 11968525) modified the associations between dietary intake of carotene and DF. These findings provide evidence for precision prevention of fluorosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyropia kinositae, a cold-water red algal species found in East Asian marine environments, thrives on aquaculture rafts and adapts to continuous submersion. Its robust growth and suitability for offshore and northern regions make P. kinositae ideal for evolving mariculture practices in China, aligning with the industry's shift towards these areas. This study extensively investigated the optimal cultivation conditions (temperature, light, salinity, and nutrient levels) for the gametophyte generation of P. kinositae, focusing on conchospore germination, conchosporeling growth, and thallus growth. Conchospore germination and conchosporeling growth were optimal at 17 °C and salinity of 25–30, with light intensity optimal at 40–70 μmol photons m−2 s−1 for conchospore germination and 100 μmol photons m−2 s−1 for conchosporeling growth. The thalli showed best growth at 2 mg L−1 nitrogen, particularly at 12 °C with light intensity between 30–90 μmol photons m−2 s−1, where the peak photosynthetic rate and Fv/Fm value were observed, indicating optimal photosynthetic efficiency. Biochemical analysis of the thalli revealed significant variations in pigments such as chlorophyll a and carotenoid, alongside soluble proteins, ATP, and enzymes involved in photosynthesis, respiration, antioxidation, and nitrogen assimilation. Notably, higher nitrogen concentrations led to increased contents of soluble proteins, ATP, chlorophyll a, and carotenoid, as well as elevated activities of phosphofructokinase (PFK), nitrate reductase (NR) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH), suggesting increased nutrient availability enhanced the metabolic activities of the thalli. At a lower nitrogen concentration (0.1 mg L−1), the highest SOD activity and H2O2 contents were observed, indicating increased ROS generation and scavenging under stress of nutrient levels. Activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as SOD and CAT, increased with temperature, peaking at 13 °C, highlighting the enhanced defense against oxidative stress at this temperature. Additionally, RuBisCO activity was the highest at a light intensity of 70 μmol photons m−2 s−1. The optimal environmental conditions for the growth of P. kinositae gametophyte generation were obtained based on the physiological and biochemical performance, offering crucial information for optimizing cultivation practices for this economically valuable macroalga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweet potato (SP; Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) is an edible tuber native to America and the sixth most important food crop worldwide. China leads its production in a global market of USD 45 trillion. SP domesticated varieties differ in specific phenotypic/genotypic traits, yet all of them are rich in sugars, slow digestible/resistant starch, vitamins, minerals, bioactive proteins and lipids, carotenoids, polyphenols, ascorbic acid, alkaloids, coumarins, and saponins, in a genotype-dependent manner. Individually or synergistically, SP's phytochemicals help to prevent many illnesses, including certain types of cancers and cardiovascular disorders. These and other topics, including the production and market diversification of raw SP and its products, and SP's starch as a functional ingredient, are briefly discussed in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the dramatically rapid rate of aging worldwide, the maintenance of cognitive function in old age is a major public health priority. The association between total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of midlife diet and cognitive function in late life is still unclear.Method: The study included 16 703 participants from a prospective cohort study in Singapore. Dietary intakes and selected supplementary use were assessed with a validated 165-item food frequency questionnaire at baseline (1993-1998). Two dietary TACs were calculated from the intake of antioxidant nutrients: the Comprehensive Dietary Antioxidant Index (CDAI) and the Vitamin C Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (VCEAC). Cognitive function was assessed 20.2 years later using a Singapore-modified version of the Mini-Mental State Examination when subjects were 61-96 years old. Cognitive impairment was defined using education-specific cutoffs. Multivariable logistic regression models were utilized to estimate the associations between dietary TACs, component nutrients, and cognitive impairment.Results: A total of 2 392 participants (14.3%) were defined to have cognitive impairment. Both CDAI and VCEAC scores were inversely associated with odds of cognitive impairment in a dose-dependent manner. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval; p-trend) comparing the highest with the lowest quartile was 0.84 (0.73, 0.96; p-trend = .003) for the CDAI and 0.75 (0.66, 0.86; p-trend < .001) for the VCEAC. Higher intakes of vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and flavonoids were all inversely associated with cognitive impairment.Conclusions: Higher dietary TAC was associated with lower odds of cognitive impairment in later life in a Chinese population in Singapore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paeonia delavayi is listed as an endangered species in the southwest of China. The flower colours of cultivated examples of this species are most commonly yellow and red, but a much wider range of flower colours can be found in plants growing in the natural habitat. To elucidate the basis of the colour range, pigments were extracted from flower petals of seven selected colours and profiled and quantified using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). All the petal colours were found to share the same base pigment types as the yellow flower – a composite colour based on a mix of flavonoids, carotenoids and chlorophyll. Anthocyanin profiling revealed the same anthocyanin compositions in all red coloured flowers, namely, cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside, cyanidin-3-glucoside, cyanidin-3-arabinoside, peonidin-3,5-diglucoside, peonidin-3-glucoside and peonidin 3-arabinoside. Quantitative analysis suggested the yellow colour was principally formed by the flavonoid naringenin chalcone 2'-glucoside (2',4',6',4-tetrahydroxychalcone 2'-glucoside). The various red/orange flower colours were the result of superimposing different amounts of anthocyanins onto the yellow flower background, with carotenoids and chlorophylls having only a minor contribution to the final colour. The results provide useful information for breeding programmes for ornamental varieties of P. delavayi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seaweeds have numerous biologically active ingredients, such as polysaccharides, polyphenols and carotenoids, that are beneficial to human health. Although these benefits might be related to the synthesis, secretion or reabsorption of uric acid, no studies have explored the relationship between seaweeds consumption and hyperuricaemia (HUA) in the general population. The aim of this study was to investigate whether seaweeds consumption is related to HUA in a large-scale adult population. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 32 365 adults (17 328 men and 15 037 women) in Tianjin, People's Republic of China. Frequency of seaweeds consumption was assessed by a validated self-administered FFQ. HUA was defined as serum uric acid levels >420 μmol/L in men and >350 μmol/L in women. The association between seaweeds consumption and HUA was assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis. Restricted cubic spline functions were used for non-linearity tests. The prevalence of HUA in men and women was 21·17 % and 5·93 %, respectively. After adjustments for potential confounding factors, the OR (95 % CI) for HUA across seaweed consumption (g/1000 kcal per d) were 1·00 (reference) for level 1, 0·91 (95 % CI 0·81, 1·02) for level 2; 0·90 (95 % CI 0·81, 1·01) for level 3; 0·86 (95 % CI 0·78, 0·97) for level 4 in men and 0·90 (95 % CI 0·73, 1·10) for level 2; 0·82 (95 % CI 0·67, 1·00) for level 3; 0·84 (95 % CI 0·68, 1·03) for level 4 in women, respectively. A negative correlation between seaweeds consumption and HUA in males but not in females was observed. Further studies are needed to explore the causal relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Yinghong 9" is a widely cultivated large-leaf variety in South China, and the black tea made from it has a high aroma and strong sweet flavor. "Huangyu" is a light-sensitive tea variety with yellow leaves. It was cultivated from the bud-mutation of "Yinghong 9" and has a very low level of chlorophyll during young shoot development. Due to chlorophyll being involved in carbon fixation and assimilation, the changes in photosynthesis might potentially affect the accumulation of flavor metabolites, as well as the quality of "Huangyu" tea. Although "Huangyu" has a golden yellow color and high amino acid content, the mechanism underlying the formation of leaf color and drinking value remains unclear. The widely targeted metabolomics and GC-MS analysis were performed to reveal the differences of key metabolites in fresh and fermented leaves between "Yinghong 9" and "Huangyu." The results showed that tea polyphenols, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids were more abundant in "Yinghong 9." Targeted metabolomics analysis indicated that kaempferol-3-glycoside was more abundant in "Yinghong 9," while "Huangyu" had a higher ratio of kaempferol-3-glucoside to kaempferol-3-galactoside. Compared with "Yinghong 9" fresh leaves, the contents of zeaxanthin and zeaxanthin palmitate were significantly higher in "Huangyu." The contents of α-farnesene, β-cyclocitral, nerolidol, and trans- geranylacetone, which were from carotenoid degradation and involved in flowery-fruity-like flavor in "Huangyu" fermented leaves, were higher than those of "Yinghong 9." Our results indicated that "Huangyu" was suitable for manufacturing non-fermented tea because of its yellow leaf and flowery-fruity-like compounds from carotenoid degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids are increasingly being implicated to have an important role in brain and eye development. This study aimed to quantify the content and profile of carotenoids in human breast milk, maternal plasma and neonatal umbilical cord plasma in Chengdu, an urban area in Southwest China. In this study, fifty-four healthy mothers were enrolled. Maternal blood, umbilical cord blood, colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk were collected. Concentrations of carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene and lycopene) were analysed by HPLC. We found that carotenoid concentrations decreased from colostrum to mature milk. Hydrocarbon carotenoids with weaker polarity decreased more than the polar carotenoids. Lycopene concentrations dropped by 99 %, β-carotene by 92 %, β-cryptoxanthin by 83 %, lutein by 32 % and zeaxanthin by 22 %. Lycopene and β-carotene accounted for 70 % of the total carotenoids in colostrum, and lutein predominated amongst carotenoids in transitional milk and mature milk (51–55 %). Carotenoid concentrations in maternal plasma were much higher than that in cord plasma. Lutein predominated in cord plasma. The concentrations of all carotenoids in maternal plasma were correlated with those of cord plasma and human milk. These results are consistent with selective transport mechanisms in the mammary gland related to the polarity of carotenoids, and each carotenoid has its own implications, which may have different priorities in the early life development of infants. These findings may help guide dietary recommendations for carotenoid inclusion in infant formulas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strain HX-7-19T was isolated from the activated sludge collected from an abandoned herbicide manufacturing plant in Kunshan, China. Cells were Gram-reaction-negative, rod-shaped, and non-motile. The phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene indicated that strain HX-7-19T formed a clade with Rhodobacter blasticus CGMCC 1.3365T (96.3% sequence similarity). The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain HX-7-19T and R. blasticus CGMCC 1.3365T were 76.2% and 20.3%, respectively. The genomic DNA G + C content of strain HX-7-19T was 65.9%. The major fatty acids (> 10% of the total fatty acids) were C18:1ω7c and C18:1ω7c 11-methyl. The major respiratory quinone was quinone Q-10. The major polar lipid profile consists of phosphatidylglycerol (PG), diphosphatidyl-glycerol (DPG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylcholine (PC). Photosynthesis pigments bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids were formed and photosynthesis genes pufL and pufM were detected. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic evidences, strain HX-7-19T is considered as a novel species in the genus Rhodobacter, for which the name Rhodobacter kunshanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HX-7-19T (= KCTC 72471T = CCTCC AB 2020148T). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Osmanthus fragrans (Oleaceae) is one of the most important ornamental plant species in China. Many cultivars with different leaf color phenotypes and good ornamental value have recently been developed. For example, a new cultivar 'Qiannan Guifei', presents a rich variety of leaf colors, which change from red to yellow-green and ultimately to green as leaves develop, making this cultivar valuable for landscaping. However, the biochemical characteristics and molecular mechanisms underlying leaf color changes of these phenotypes have not been elucidated. It has been hypothesized that the biosynthesis of different pigments in O. fragrans might change during leaf coloration. Here, we analyzed transcriptional changes in genes involved in chlorophyll (Chl), flavonoid, and carotenoid metabolic pathways and identified candidate genes responsible for leaf coloration in the new cultivar 'Qiannan Guifei'. Methods. Leaf samples were collected from 'Qiannan Guifei' plants at the red (R), yellow-green (YG) and green (G) leaf stages. We compared the different-colored leaves via leaf pigment concentrations, chloroplast ultrastructure, and transcriptomic data. We further analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in the Chl, flavonoid, and carotenoid metabolic pathways. In addition, we used qRT-PCR to validate expression patterns of the DEGs at the three stages. Results. We found that, compared with those at the G stage, chloroplasts at the R and YG stages were less abundant and presented abnormal morphologies. Pigment analyses revealed that the leaves had higher flavonoid and anthocyanin levels at the R stage but lower Chl and carotenoid concentrations. Similarly, Chl and carotenoid concentrations were lower at the YG stage than at the G stage. By using transcriptomic sequencing, we further identified 61 DEGs involved in the three pigment metabolic pathways. Among these DEGs, seven structural genes (OfCHS, OfCHI, OfF3H, OfDFR, OfANS, OfUGT andOf3AT) involved in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway were expressed at the highest level at the R stage, thereby increasing the biosynthesis of flavonoids, especially anthocyanins. Six putativeOfMYB genes, including three flavonoid-related activators and three repressors, were also highly expressed at the R stage, suggesting that they might coordinately regulate the accumulation of flavonoids, including anthocyanins. Additionally, expressions of the Chl biosynthesis-related genes OfHEMA, OfCHLG and OfCAO and the carotenoid biosynthesis-related genes OfHYB and OfZEP were upregulated from the R stage to the G stage, which increased the accumulation of Chl and carotenoids throughout leaf development. In summary, we screened the candidate genes responsible for the leaf color changes of 'Qiannan Guifei', improved current understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying leaf coloration and provided potential targets for future leaf color improvement in O. fragrans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artemisia argyi is an important medicinal plant widely utilized for moxibustion heat therapy in China. The terpenoid biosynthesis process in A. argyi is speculated to play a key role in conferring its medicinal value. However, the molecular mechanism underlying terpenoid biosynthesis remains unclear, in part because the reference genome of A. argyi is unavailable. Moreover, the full-length transcriptome of A. argyi has not yet been sequenced. Therefore, in this study, de novo transcriptome sequencing of A. argyi 's root, stem, and leaf tissues was performed to obtain those candidate genes related to terpenoid biosynthesis, by combining the PacBio single-molecule real-time (SMRT) and Illumina sequencing NGS platforms. And more than 55.4 Gb of sequencing data and 108,846 full-length reads (non-chimeric) were generated by the Illumina and PacBio platform, respectively. Then, 53,043 consensus isoforms were clustered and used to represent 36,820 non-redundant transcripts, of which 34,839 (94.62%) were annotated in public databases. In the comparison sets of leaves vs roots, and leaves vs stems, 13,850 (7,566 up-regulated, 6,284 down-regulated) and 9,502 (5,284 up-regulated, 4,218 down-regulated) differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) were obtained, respectively. Specifically, the expression profile and KEGG functional enrichment analysis of these DETs indicated that they were significantly enriched in the biosynthesis of amino acids, carotenoids, diterpenoids and flavonoids, as well as the metabolism processes of glycine, serine and threonine. Moreover, multiple genes encoding significant enzymes or transcription factors related to diterpenoid biosynthesis were highly expressed in the A. argyi leaves. Additionally, several transcription factor families, such as RLK-Pelle_LRR-L-1 and RLK-Pelle_DLSV, were also identified. In conclusion, this study offers a valuable resource for transcriptome information, and provides a functional genomic foundation for further research on molecular mechanisms underlying the medicinal use of A. argyi leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids are one of the most abundant pigments in raspberries. Rubus chingii Hu, indigenous to China, is traditionally consumed for health benefits. However, the carotenoid composition and pathways of R. chingii have not yet been studied. In this study, the components of carotenoids and genes/proteins involved in their biosynthesis were investigated during four fruit ripening phases via LC-MS/MS. Zeaxanthin, β-citraurin and its esters, first identified in Rubus , gradually accumulated during fruit maturation. These compounds, rather than anthocyanins, were responsible for the ripe fruit coloration. In carotenoid metabolism, upstream synthesis genes of RcPSY2 (CL1406.Contig2), RcPDS1 (CL7625.Contig2), RcZDS1 (CL590.Contig6) and RcCRTISO1 (CL6919.Contig2) were up-regulated in gene/protein expression to accelerate carotene biosynthesis. Downstream genes of RcLUT5CHYB/CYP97A (CL8884.Contig3) and RcCHYB/BCH (CL7966.Contig1) were up-regulated in gene/protein expression, while RcCHYE/CYP97C (CL9380.Contig1/2) were maintained at low levels. RcLCYE (Unigene19570) was down-regulated while RcLCYB (CL7586.Contig1) was up-regulated and then down-regulated. These differential gene/protein expressions between LCYB and LCYE, and between CHYE and CHYB led to zeaxanthin accumulation by elevating its biosynthetic enzymes and lowering enzymes for lutein biosynthesis. In apocarotenoid biosynthesis, RcCCD (CL1310.Contig3) was up-regulated in gene/protein expression, which raised the content of β-citraurin and its esters. Additionally, these genes/proteins diverged into different subgroups with distinct pattens of expression, suggesting their difference in function. For example, RcPSY1/3, RcZDS2, and RcCRTISO2/3 genes were expressed at very low levels, suggesting that they may be active in other tissues rather than in fruit. The mechanism of zeaxanthin and β-citraurin biosynthesis is responsible for fruit coloration, which is completely novel to Rubus. • R. chingii is very rich in β-citraurin esters, which were first identified in Rubus. • β-citraurin esters, rather than anthocyanins, imparted red color to the ripe fruit. • β-citraurin esters were biosynthesized by CCD in an apocarotenoid shunt. • CHYB/E and LCYB/E worked together to accelerate β, β-ring hydroxylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trapped ancient microorganisms in halite fluid inclusions are of special interest to the understanding of biology and ecology in salt lake systems. With the integration of petrologic, microthermometric, and Raman spectroscopic analyses, this study utilizes fluid inclusions from Chaka Salt Lake, eastern Qaidam Basin, NW China, to assess the possibility of microorganism‐trapping by fluid inclusions. Here, we report that the solid phase of some primary fluid inclusions contains carotenoids, which is interpreted as evidence of Dunaliella algae, and that the coexisting liquid phase comprises SO42‐. The homogenization temperatures of single‐phase primary fluid inclusions indicate that the precipitation temperature of the Holocene halite in Chaka Salt Lake ranges from 13.5°C to 36.4°C. This suggests that fluid inclusions in halite are a good medium for trapping and preserving ancient microorganisms and organic matter in salt lakes, and that Raman spectroscopy has good potential to identify halophilic archaea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus seed waste material provides a new solution for addressing the shortage of edible oils in China. supercritical CO 2 fluid extraction (SFE), sub-critical butane fluid extraction (SCE), cold press (CP), soxhlet extraction (SXE), and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) were preformed to obtain Ougan (Citrus reticulata cv. Suavissima) seed oil. Ougan seed oils were tested for physicochemical properties, fatty acid composition, limonoids, polyphenols, total carotenoids, tocopherols, and in vitro antioxidant activities. The results indicated that SCE Ougan seed oil has the most abundant fatty acid composition, and higher in vitro antioxidant capacity, which is mainly positively related to the polyphenol, carotenoid and tocopherol contents. Therefore, SCE may be the optimum procedure for extracting a high content of bioactive substances from Ougan seed oils, providing a theoretical foundation for developing high-quality and nutritional value Ougan seed oils. [Display omitted] • Different extraction processes have significant effects on the quality of Ougan seed oils. • The composition of fatty acids in SCE Ougan seed oil is more abundant. • SCE Ougan seed oil contains higher content of bioactive substances. • SCE Ougan seed oil shows stronger antioxidant capacity. • There is a positive correlation between polyphenols, tocopherols, carotenoids and antioxidation in Ougan seed oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pigment cell composition contributes to color variation in Eriocheir sinensis. • The white strain had lower carotenoid and melanin content compared to the other strains. • Pigment-binding proteins play a role in carapaced color formation. Carapace color plays an important role in the communication, reproduction, and self-defense of crustaceans, which is also related to their economic value. Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) is an important aquaculture species in China, and there are different strains with heritable carapace colors, i.e. Green, White, and Red. However, there is a lack of research on the formation mechanism of carapace color of this species. This study was conducted to compare the histology and transcriptome in the inner membrane of three carapace color strains of E. sinensis. Histological comparisons revealed that the inner membrane of green and red carapace crabs contained more melanin, appearing in clusters, and had a higher presence of yellow or orange pigments. In contrast, the inner membrane of white carapace crabs had smaller and fewer melanin particles, as well as a lower presence of yellow or orange pigments. Observation under an electron microscope showed that the inner membrane of E. sinensis contained a large number of collagen fibers and various types of cells, including fibroblasts, melanocytes, and other tissue cells, which exhibited different levels of activity. Transcriptome analysis showed that the Green, Red, and White strains of E. sinensis had approximately 80.3 K, 81.6 K and 80.3 K expressed unigenes in their inner membranes, respectively. When comparing Green and Red crabs, there were 2, 850 upregulated genes and 2, 240 downregulated genes. In the comparison between Red and White crabs, there were 2, 853 upregulated genes and 2, 583 downregulated genes. Furthermore, there were 2, 336 upregulated genes and 2, 738 downregulated genes in the inner membranes between White and Green crabs. Among these genes, some members of the solute carriers family, which are involved in carotenoid transportation, showed differential expression among the three carapace color strains. Additionally, significant differences were observed in the expression of genes related to melanin synthesis, including wingless/integrate, tyrosinase, guanine nucleotide-binding protein inhibitory subunit, cell adhesion molecule, adenylyl cyclase, and creb-binding protein. there were no differences in the gene expression levels of the crustacyanin family. In conclusion, this study identified several candidate genes associated with carapace color in the inner membrane of E. sinensis , suggesting a close relationship between the heritable carapace colors and the transport of the carotenoids as well as the synthesis of melanin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Central China, one of the Earth's distinctive ecoregions due to its endemic subtropical biota, has been subjected to enhanced nitrogen deposition and climate warming during recent decades. However, the extent and timescale of ecological changes are largely unexplored. Multiproxy analyses (diatoms, photosynthetic pigments and geochemistry) of 210Pb-dated sediment cores from two shallow ponds within an alpine basin (central China) were used to investigate the response of primary producer communities to external stressors during the last two centuries. The study sites include one drainage pond and one seepage pond. Both ponds exhibited unambiguous changes in production and composition of photoautotrophs since the early twentieth century, which are linked to climate warming, nitrogen deposition and local factors (for example, lake morphometry, desiccation and macrophyte). Although primary producers responded to regional warming and nitrogen deposition, the ecological responses differed among ponds due to local factors. In the deeper seepage pond, light attenuation due to terrestrial organic matter input caused recent decreases in carotenoids and small fragilarioid taxa. In contrast, the co-occurrence of euterrestrial and tychoplanktonic diatoms in the shallower drainage pond was indicative of its hydrological instability. Our results indicate that subtropical montane ponds in the East Asian monsoon region appear to be strongly influenced by a combination of local (for example, catchment-lake connectivity) and regional driving forces (for example, warming and nitrogen deposition). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited studies have investigated the effects of serum carotenoids on the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and the findings have been inconclusive. This study aims to assess the association between serum total or specific carotenoid levels and NHL risk. This 1:1 matched, hospital-based case–control study enrolled 512 newly diagnosed (within 1 month) NHL patients and 512 healthy controls who were matched by age (±5 years) and sex in Urumqi, China. Serum carotenoid levels were measured by HPLC. Conditional logistic regression showed that higher serum total carotenoid levels and their subtypes (e.g. α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and lycopene) were dose-dependently associated with decreased NHL risk. The multivariable-adjusted OR and their 95 % CI for NHL risk for quartile 4 (v. quartile 1) were 0·31 (95 % CI 0·22, 0·48; Pfor trend < 0·001) for total carotenoids, 0·52 (95 % CI 0·33, 0·79; Pfor trend: 0·003) for α-carotene, 0·63 (95 % CI 0·42, 0·94; Pfor trend: 0·031) for β-carotene, 0·73 (95 % CI 0·49, 1·05; Pfor trend: 0·034) for β-cryptoxanthin and 0·51 (95 % CI 0·34, 0·75; Pfor trend: 0·001) for lycopene. A null association was observed between serum lutein + zeaxanthin and NHL risk (OR 0·89, 95 % CI 0·57, 1·38; Pfor trend: 0·556). Significant interactions were observed after stratifying according to smoking status, and inverse associations were more evident among current smokers than past or never smokers for total carotenoids, α-carotene and lycopene (Pfor heterogeneity: 0·047, 0·042 and 0·046). This study indicates that higher serum carotenoid levels might be inversely associated with NHL risk, especially among current smokers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most previous studies have examined the associations between carotenoids and anthropometrics with cross-sectional designs. Few studies have investigated the associations between serum carotenoids and fat mass and fat distribution (general vs central type). This study aimed to explore the associations of serum carotenoids with body fat and fat distribution in Chinese adults. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of a prospective, community-based cohort were performed. There were 4,048 participants aged 40 to 75 years recruited in the Guangzhou Nutrition and Health Study from 2008 to 2013. Serum carotenoids were assessed at baseline. Anthropometrics, fat mass (FM), and percentage FM (%FM) over the total body, trunk, limbs, and android and gynoid regions were obtained by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for 3,002 participants between 2011 and 2013 and for 2,537 participants after 3.1 years. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were performed to compare the mean differences in adiposity indices among the quartiles of carotenoids. Covariance analyses showed significant inverse associations between serum total carotenoid levels and adiposity indices cross-sectionally (all P trends<0.05). The percentage mean differences in quartile 4 (vs 1) in FM and %FM were much more pronounced in the trunk (–15.4% and –7.74%) and android area (–16.6% and –8.59%) than those in the limbs (–8.31% and –4.51%) and gynoid area (–7.76% and –2.71%) (all P <0.001). Longitudinal results revealed that higher total carotenoids were associated with significantly lower 3-year increases in body mass index (calculated as kg/m2); waist circumference; waist-to-hip ratio; body FM in the limbs and android and gynoid area; and %FM in total body, trunk, and limbs (all P trends<0.05). Regarding individual carotenoids, β-carotene tended to have the most notable beneficial associations with the majority of fat indices, especially for cross-sectional analyses. Serum carotenoid concentrations are inversely associated with body fat, especially in the abdominal region, in Chinese adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low salinity is one of important environmental factors which often led to mass mortality of the noble scallop Chlamys nobilis cultivated in the South coast of China. It is well known that enzymic system and non‐enzymic system both play crucial roles in all living organisms against severe environments. To investigate how change about enzymic system and non‐enzymic system in the stenohaline marine bivalve under low salinity stress, an acute challenge lasting 48 hr was conducted using golden and brown noble scallops in the present study. The serine proteinase inhibitor from the noble scallop (CnSPI) was first cloned and expressed in different tissues. After low salinity stress, the gene expression levels were determined in haemocytes and compared between golden and brown scallops. Meanwhile, total carotenoids content (TCC) in adductor, superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymatic activity and methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) content in gill and haemocytes were also determined and compared between the two colours scallops. Results showed that the CnSPI gene expression levels were significantly decreased after low salinity stress, and the golden scallops had higher gene expression levels than brown scallops (p < .05) at most times. Moreover, after low salinity stress, TCC, SOD enzymatic activity and MDA content also fluctuated, and the golden scallops contained higher TCC and SOD, but lower MDA than the brown ones. The present results indicated that enzymic system and non‐enzymic system were both changed under low salinity stress in the noble scallop and significantly different responses to the stress existed between golden and brown individuals. The SPI gene and carotenoids (CAR) both play a resistant role to low salinity stress in the noble scallop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Grazing is an important land use in northern China. In general, different grazing intensities had a different impact on the morphological and physiological traits of plants, and especially their photosynthetic capacity. We investigated the responses of Leymus chinensis to light, medium, and heavy grazing intensities in comparison with a grazing exclusion control. Results: With light grazing, L. chinensis showed decreased photosynthetic capacity. The low chlorophyll and carotenoid contents constrained light energy transformation and dissipation, and Rubisco activity was also low, restricting the carboxylation efficiency. In addition, the damaged photosynthetic apparatus accumulated reactive oxygen species (ROS). With medium grazing, more energy was used for thermal dissipation, with high carotene content and high non-photochemical quenching, whereas photosynthetic electron transport was lowest. Significantly decreased photosynthesis decreased leaf C contents. Plants decreased the risk caused by ROS through increased energy dissipation. With high grazing intensity, plants changed their strategy to improve survival through photosynthetic compensation. More energy was allocated to photosynthetic electron transport. Though heavy grazing damaged the chloroplast ultrastructure, adjustment of internal mechanisms increased compensatory photosynthesis, and an increased tiller number facilitated regrowth after grazing. Conclusions: Overall, the plants adopted different strategies by adjusting their metabolism and growth in response to their changing environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Coelastrella was established by Chodat (Bull. Soc. Bot. Geneve, 13 [1922] 66), and was characterized as being unicellular or in few‐celled aggregations with many longitudinal ribs on the cell wall. Many species of this genus showed strong ability to accumulate carotenoids and oils, so they have recently attracted much attention from researchers due to its potential applicability in the energy and food industries. In this study, a total of 23 strains of Coelastrella were sampled from China, and three new species and two new varieties were described: C. thermophila sp. nov., C. yingshanensis sp. nov., C. tenuitheca sp. nov., C. thermophila var. globulina var. nov., C. rubescens var. oocystiformis var. nov. Besides 18S rDNA and ITS2 sequences, we have newly sequenced the tufA gene marker for this taxon. Phylogenetic analysis combined with morphological studies revealed four morphotypes within the Coelastrella sensu lato clade, which contained the morphotype of original Coelastrella, original Scotiellopsis, Asterarcys, and morphotype of C. vacuolata and C. tenuitheca sp. nov. The relationships between morphological differences and phylogenic diversity based on different markers were discussed. Our results support that 18S rDNA was too conserved to be used a species‐specific or even a genus‐specific marker in this clade. The topology of tufA gene‐based phylogenetic tree had a better match with the morphological findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Refractory sulfur compounds, 9-alkyl HDBTs were identified in the crude oil. • The 9-alkyl HDBTs contain a series of C 20 to C 40 homologues. • These compounds are considered deriving from carotenoids. • The geochemical derivation pathways of these compounds are proposed. 1,1,4a,6-tetramethyl-9-alkyl-1,2,3,4,4a,9b-hexahydrodibenzo[b,d]thiophene (9-alkyl HDBT) was initially found in highly desulfurized diesel oils. This and related organic sulfur compounds (OSCs) have a special shielding structure that make them extremely resistant to hydrodesulfurization. The structure of 9-alkyl HDBTs is likely directly inherited from biological precursors related to terpenoids, but their origins have not been determined. In this study, OSCs were isolated from a low sulfur crude oil from the Junggar Basin in China by the methylation/demethylation method and characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A series of 9-alkyl HDBTs substituted with long isoprenoid alkyl chains were identified in the OSCs. Raney nickel desulfurization was conducted to assist the structural identification. The presence of 9-alkyl HDBTs with a β -carotene carbon skeleton and the predominance in specific carbon numbers of alkyl-substituted 9-alkyl HDBTs support a carotenoid origin of such OSCs. Possible geochemical pathways are proposed for the formation of these OSCs via β -carotene, involving processes such as sulfur incorporation, cyclization, aromatization, hydrogenation, and cleavage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ZYH owned more total phenolics, flavonoids and isorhamnetin and quercetin than SQH. • VC and VE contents in ZYH were significantly higher than in SQH. • ZYH owned more total carotenoids, β-carotene and lycopene contents than in SQH. • The scavenging capacity on DPPH and FRAP free radical of ZYH were higher than SQH. • ZYH had a significantly higher antioxidant capacity than SQH against Caco-2 cells. Although the basic nutritional composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of different cultivars of sea buckthorn fruit have been reported, the contents of sugars, acids, antioxidant components and antioxidant activities of two large fruit cultivars, ZhuangYuanHuang (ZYH) and ShenQiuHong (SQH), sea buckthorn fruits from Xinjiang of China have not been studied. In this study, we found that the soluble sugars were mainly glucose and fructose, and no significant difference in soluble sugars content was found between the two cultivars. ZYH exhibited higher contents of total acids, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid and succinic acid, but lower quinic acid compared to that in SQH. ZYH owned higher total phenolics and total flavonoids contents than that in SQH. A total of 12 phenolics were found in the two cultivars, isorhamnetin and quercetin contents were considerably higher in ZYH than in SQH, while protocatechuic acid, catechin, ferulic acid and p -coumaric acid contents were lower than in SQH. V C and V E (γ -V E , α -V E , δ -V E) were much higher in ZYH than in SQH. The contents of total carotenoids, β -carotene and lycopene in ZYH were considerably higher than those of SQH. In addition, the DPPH and FRAP scavenging activity and cellular antioxidant activity of ZYH were significantly higher than those of SQH. Taken together, the higher antioxidant activities of ZYH may be due to its higher levels of phenolics, flavonoids, V C , V E and carotenoids. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Xishi abalone (Haliotis gigantea) is an economically significant aquaculture species in southern China. We identified a novel orange‐muscle mutation present in less than 2% of the cultured population. High‐performance liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry identified zeaxanthin and β‐carotene as the two main pigments present in the orange‐muscle abalone. The concentrations of zeaxanthin and β‐carotene detected in the orange‐muscle abalones were significantly higher than those detected in the common abalones (p < 0.01). Notably, the concentration of zeaxanthin was approximately 16.5 times higher in orange‐muscle abalones than in common abalones, which was also the species with highest carotenoid content reported in shellfish to date. Furthermore, the contents of total amino acids and essential amino acids in the orange‐muscle abalone were higher than that in the common abalone, though not significantly, while the content of non‐essential amino acids was significantly higher in the orange‐muscle abalone than that in the common abalone (p < 0.05). The saturated fatty acid content in the orange‐muscle abalones was slightly lower than that in the common abalones, and the unsaturated fatty acid content was higher in the orange‐muscle abalones than that in the common abalones. These results could provide a basis for characterizing the mechanism by which carotenoids accumulate in abalones and further guide the breeding of abalone with orange‐muscle mutants in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]