Gordana Branković

Genotype x Environment interaction for antioxidants and phytic acid contents in bread and durum wheat as influenced by climate

Antioxidants prevent oxidative stress and exert positive health effects. However, phytic acid among them decreases micronutrients absorption, representing also antinutrient to human and non-ruminant animals. Fifteen bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and 15 durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) genotypes were evaluated across six environments to determine contents of phytic acid (PA), inorganic P (Pi), total yellow pigment, total soluble phenolic compounds, free protein sulfhydryl groups (PSH), and also phytic acid P/Pi (Pp/Pi). The objective of this study was to quantify, for each trait the effects of environment, genotype, and their interaction; and the influence of climatic factors on the Genotype x Environment interaction (GEI) by the use of the factorial regression. GEI (P < 0.001) prevailed as source of variation over genotype (P < 0.001) in determining PA content in bread and durum wheat (44.3% and 34.7% of sum of squares-SS, respectively), PSH content in bread and durum wheat (27% and 28.4% of SS, respectively) and total soluble phenolic compounds content in durum wheat (35.5% of SS). The major contribution to the GEI represented climatic variables during stages of stem elongation for PA and phenolic compounds, and also flowering, fertilization, grain formation and grain filling for PSH. Total yellow pigment and Pi contents in bread and durum wheat were predominantly determined by genotype (P < 0.001). Models of climatic variables proved to be efficient in the explanation of more than 92% of the SS of GEI for PA and antioxidants contents.

ALLELIC COMPOSITION OF HMW-GLUTENIN PROTEIN AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH QUALITY OF WHEAT

High molecular weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS) proteins deposited in endosperm of wheat seed which have significant impact on bread quality. The HMW-GS encoded by genes located at the long arm of chromosomes 1A, 1B, 1D. The aim of this work was study allele polymorphysms at Glu-A1, Glu-B1 and GluD1 locus and loaf volume, grain protein content, sedimentation volume of eight wheat genotypes (G-3130, G-35183, G-3501, G3512, G-3574, G-3027, G-3075, G3097) harvested in two years with various weather condition. For each genotypes, flour used for extraction of glutenin which separated by method of electrophoresis on SDS gel (11.8%). Electrophoregrams used for determining Glu-1 alleles. Technological quality parameters analyzed by standard laboratory methods. The three alleles alleles (a, b, c) at the Glu-A1, three alleles (b, c, d) at the Glu-B1 and 2 alleles (a, d) at the Glu-D1 were identified. The highest protein sedimentation volume had wheat genotype G-3075 in the both years (54.0ml; 58.0ml) while the lowest sedimentation volume had G-3512 (34.0ml; 36.0ml). Grain protein content (GPC) was the highest in G-3075 in both years (14.20%; 15.40%) while the lowest GPC had G-3097 (11.60%) in first and G-3512 (12.60%) in the second year. Loaf volume was the highest in G-3075 in both year (520ml; 540ml) while the lowest was in G-3512 (400ml) in both years of experiment. The estimated quality traits varied depending on genotype and year. The better quality, in average, had the wheat genotypes which carried Glu-D1d allele.

Molecular characterization of red clover genotypes utilizing microsatellite markers

CHILEAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH 76(1) JANUARY-MARCH 2016 7 7 Genetic resources of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) are the basis for the improvement of this important forage legume. The objective of this study was microsatellite characterization of the accessions from the collection of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad, Serbia. Molecular evaluation of 46 red clover genotypes was performed by applying the set of 14 primer pairs of microsatellite markers. These primer pairs amplified a total of 187 alleles, with an average of 13.36 alleles per locus and average polymorphism information content (PIC) value was 0.306. The minimum values of Dice genetic distances based on polymorphism of microsatellite markers were found among genotypes NCPGRU2 and NCPGRU5 (0.311) and the highest values of genetic distances were determined for a couple of genotypes Violeta and BGR2 (0.933). The average genetic distance between all pairs of genotypes amounted 0.587. The results of the principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) were consistent with the results obtained on the basis of cluster analysis, except that the PCoA allocated another four genotypes. There was no relationship between groups of genotypes formed by the use of cluster analyses and PCoA with their geographical origin. Analysis of molecular variance of 46 red clover genotypes by the status and ploidy level was significant, but it also suggested a weak genetic differentiation of groups formed on the basis of those characteristics. Observed groups of genotypes, according to the cluster analyses and PCoA of microsatellite data, could be used in future breeding programs for the selection of germplasm.

Variability and Stability of Bread and Durum Wheat for Phytic Acid Content

Purpose: The concept of quality is embedded in every process that takes place in an organization. There is a general perception that while increasing quality cost also increases. This perception was challenged by Dr. Genichi Taguchi. Taguchi states that quality can be increased without increasing cost and cost can also be reduced by increasing quality (Campanella 1999). Measuring quality-related costs has been advocated as an important component of quality improvement (Moen 1998). Gryna (1988) states that quality related costs range from 10-30 percent of sales and 25-40 percent of operating expenses. Researchers have proposed several methods of quality cost estimation. Commonly used methods areQuality Costing Approach, Process Cost Approach and Quality Loss Approach (Campanella, 1999). Tsiakals (1983) used Quality Costing Approach (PAF Approach) to collect Cost of Quality in a Pharmaceutical Industry and Malchi and McGurk (2001) used alternative cost model (Schiffauerova et al, 2006).The present paper aimed atcollecting and measuring Cost of Poor Quality in a Pharmaceutical Industry on the basis of Process Cost Approach.The purposes of this paper is to describe the body burden of heavy metals in the African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) obtained from the Imo River in Nigeria and assess the potential non-carcinogenic health risk that might be caused by consuming this seafood. A questionnaire-based survey on dietary consumption rates of protein sources among residents of the area showed that catfish-fresh or dried accounted for 58% of total protein consumed, and over 90% of catfish sold in the area were caught in the local region of the river. The non-carcinogenic health risk from individual heavy metal and combined heavy metals due to dietary intake were evaluated by calculating the target hazard quotients (THQs), and hazard index (HI). The concentrations (mean ± sem in μg/g on dry weight basis) of heavy metals determined using AANALYST 400 Perkin- Elmer AAS were: (Cd: 0.125 ± 0.29, Cu: 0.24 ± 0.13, Zn: 2.33 ± 0.14, Ni: 1.12 ± 0.003, Pb: 0.74 ± 0.05, Fe: 4.85 ± 0.54) for edible tissue, (Cd: 0.47 ± 0.13, Cu: 0.13 ± 0.004, Zn: 4.08 ± 0.25, Ni: 1.53 ± 0.12, Pb: 1.24 ± 0.20, Fe: 14.64 ± 0.52) for gills and (Cd: 0.03 ± 0.004, Cu: 0.21 ± 0.009, Zn: 2.65 ± 0.06, Ni: 0.84 ± 0.03, Pb: 0.47 ± 0.007, Fe: 6.89 ± 0.38) for internal organs. The order of heavy metal concentration was; gills > edible tissue > internal organ for Cd, Zn, Ni and Pb; edible tissue > internal organ > gills for Cu and gills > internal organ > edible tissue for Fe. The body burden of heavy metal seems to be highest in gills and lowest in internal organs. Target hazard quotients (THQ) for individual heavy metal and the hazard index (HI) values determined based on the levels of Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, Pb, and Fe were all less than one, indicating that health risk associated with the intake of a single heavy metal or combined metal through consumption of this catfish for children and adult is relatively low at the moment. However, due to the potential health hazard of heavy metals, the Imo River system requires monitoring and awareness creation to avert possible health riskAntibiotic resistance has become a global public-health problem, thus it is imperative that new antibiotics continue to be developed. Major problems are being experienced in human medicine from antibiotic resistant bacteria. Moreover, no new chemical class of antibiotics has been introduced into medicine in the past two decades. The aim of the current study presents experimental results that evaluate the capability of biosurfactant rhamnolipid on enhancing the efficacy of hydrophobic antibiotics. Serial dilutions of azithromycin and clarithromycin were prepared. A bacterial suspension (approximately 5X10 CFU) from an overnight culture in MSM was inoculated into 20ml sterile test tube each containing a serial 10-folds dilution of the test antibiotic(s) in broth with or without 200mgL rhamnolipid. The tubes were incubated for 24 h with vigorous shaking at 37°C. Antimicrobial activity in multiple antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria pathogens and Gram-positive bacteria were assessed using optical density technique. The results clearly demonstrated that the presence of rhamnolipid significantly improved the efficiency of both antibiotics. We hypothesized that the addition of rhamnolipid at low concentration, causes release of LPS which results in an increase in cell surface hydrophobicity. This allows increased association of cells with hydrophobic antibiotics resulting in increased cytotoxicity rates. [Abdurrahim A. Elouzi, Abdurrauf M. Gusbi, Ali M. Elgerbi. Efficacy Enhancement of Hydrophobic Antibiotics Employing Rhamnolipid as Biosurfactant. J Am Sci 2014;10(1):93-98]. (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.jofamericanscience.org. 17Q uality by design (QbD) is a systematic approach to drug development. It begins with predefined objectives and emphasizes product and process understanding and process control, all based on sound science and quality risk management (QRM). As introduced by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), QbD brings modern drug development methodologies to chemistry, manufacturing, anc control (CMC) teams working on biologics, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines. The innovations associated with QbD are not so much the development concepts (which have been proven in multiple industries for well over 20 years). Rather, such innovations are the application of those principles in the development, submission, and manufacturing of drug products and drug substances. QbD was introduced over 10 years ago; however, regulatory agencies are now in the process of moving it from recommended (optional) to mandatory in drug submissions and filings. QbD has 10 guiding principles: • A clear line of sight from clinical to product release and stability • QRM in every aspect of development • Enhanced product understanding • Assay understanding • Process understanding and characterization • Generation of transfer functions • Improved product specification limits and justification • Robust design space and edge of failure • Use of modern control strategies and process analytical technologies (PAT) (1) • Continuous improvement and validation throughout a product’s lifecycle. As stated in the International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) Q8 Pharmaceutical Development guideline, Section 2 (2):I the last few decades, pharmacists focused to develop targeted drug delivery systems. The basic aim is to deliver drug molecules directly to the target tissues which Paul Ehrlich in about a century ago mentioned and named it as magic bullets of medicine. Generally, pharmaceutical agents tend to distribute equally throughout the body. In addition, to reach the site of action, the drug has to cross vast majority of physiological and biochemical barriers which reduce the bioavailability of drugs. More importantly, after crossing through these barriers drugs should be able to elicit pharmacological action. However, nowadays, rapid advances in molecular biology, chemistry, pharmacy and nanotechnology enable a number of targeted drug delivery systems which can reach the malignant tissues selectively and accurately to the affected sites of the body.