Changes in the Nutrient Composition of Barley Grain (Hordeum vulgare L.) and of Morphological Fractions of Sprouts

The objectives of the current study were (1) to evaluate the effect of sprouting on protein, amino acids, fats, fatty acids, starch, total soluble carbohydrates, and ß-D-glucan content of barley grains and (2) to know the content of these nutrients in the morphological fractions of sprouts: green shoot, residual structure of sprouted grain (RSSG), residual structure of sprouted grain plus unsprouted grain (RSSG plus UG), and root fractions and to determine the proportion of each of these fractions (on fresh and dry basis) in the sprout biomass. Barley grain was sprouted in a commercial germination chamber for a period of 6 days. Raw grain was used as a control. Results showed that crude protein, ether extract, total soluble carbohydrates, and cellulose content increased, whereas starch and ß-D-glucan content decreased in sprouted when compared with the control grain. Amino acid and fatty acid profiles were also affected. Thus, aspartic acid, threonine, alanine, valine, isoleucine, lysine, and tryptophan content increased and only that of glutamic acid decreased after sprouting. Regarding fatty acids, an increase in the relative concentration of C18 : 0 and C18:3n-3 and a decrease in that of C18:1n-9 were detected. Partitioning of sprouted barley into three morphological component fractions showed that the residual structures of sprouted grains plus unsprouted grain fraction made up 82.9% and 93.6% of sprout biomass, on fresh and DM basis, respectively, and the remainder was provided by the root fraction, 10.3% and 3.2%, respectively, and by the green shoot fraction, 6.8% and 3.1%, respectively. The three morphological fractions differed in the content of the most analyzed nutrients.

Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Capacity, and Enzyme Inhibitory Activity in Callus, Somaclonal Variant, and Normal Green Shoot Tissues of Catharanthus roseus (L) G. Don

This study aimed to investigate the impact of plant growth regulators, sucrose concentration, and the number of subcultures on axillary shoot multiplication, in vitro flowering, and somaclonal variation and to assess the phytochemical composition, antioxidant capacity, and enzyme inhibitory potential of in vitro-established callus, somaclonal variant, and normal green shoots of Catharanthus roseus. The highest shoot induction rate (95.8%) and highest number of shoots (23.6), with a mean length of 4.5 cm, were attained when the C. roseus nodal explants (0.6–1 cm in length) were cultivated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 2 µM thidiazuron, 1 µM 2-(1-naphthyl) acetic acid (NAA), and 4% sucrose. The in vitro flowering of C. roseus was affected by sucrose, and the number of subcultures had a significant effect on shoot multiplication and somaclonal variation. The highest levels of phenolics and flavonoids were found in normal green shoots, followed by those in somaclonal variant shoots and callus. The phytochemicals in C. roseus extracts were qualified using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 39, 55, and 59 compounds were identified in the callus, somaclonal variant shoot, and normal green shoot tissues, respectively. The normal green shoot extracts exhibited the best free radical scavenging ability and reducing power activity. The strongest acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effects were found in the callus, with an IC50 of 0.65 mg/mL.

Factors that determine shoot viability and root development during in vitro adaptation and propagation of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth)

Background. Micropropagation of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) is used to obtain healthy plant material for high-value plantations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the first steps of birch explant introduction and maintenance in vitro in order to make practical suggestions about the influence of these first steps on further micropropagation success. Materials and methods. Of the seven studied birch genotypes, one had been cultured in vitro for two years at the time of experiments, while six were newly planted in vitro from shoot segments disinfected after either one or two weeks of storage of collected branches. The explants were placed in glass culture tubes either on a hormone-free or cytokinin (6-benzylaminopurine)-supplemented medium. Results. A shorter branch storage time (one week instead of two) was better for the viability of explants, while external cytokinin, if used during the very first subculture in vitro, had largely a negative impact. Among the tested birch genotypes, 52BPL171 had the highest rate of viable explants and was followed in this respect by 01BPL115 which, however, contrasted strongly to the former because of its ability to maintain a green shoot apex alongside a green stem on the control medium. After 12 months in vitro, only genotype 01BPL115 was characterized by regular shoot growth and a well-developed root system. Conclusions. The green shoot apex on the control medium and, also, maintenance of viability on the medium with external cytokinin were found to be most helpful characteristics of birch explants during the first subculture, early recognition of those genotypes that would be most promising for obtaining multiple rooting shoots in vitro.