Tuber proteome comparison of five potato varieties by principal component analysis

Effects of water-fertiliser coupling on the photosynthesis and quality of Lycium barbarum based on predicted crop evapotranspiration (ETc)

Lycium barbarum is an important economic crop in the arid region of Northwest China, and the regulation of irrigation and fertilisation is an important way to improve the quality and yield of Lycium barbarum. To explore the effects of water-fertiliser coupling on photosynthesis, quality and yield of Lycium barbarum under irrigation methods based on predicted crop evapotranspiration (ETc), ETc was calculated via reference evapotranspiration (ETo) predicted on the basis of public weather forecasts, and the irrigation water volume was determined as a proportion of this ETc. A field experiment was conducted via a completely randomised experimental design with five irrigation water volumes (W0 (100% ETc), W1 (90% ETc), W2 (80% ETc), W3 (70% ETc) and W4 (65% ETc)) and three fertiliser application rates (high fertiliser (FH), medium fertiliser (FM) and low fertiliser (FL)). The results revealed that the chlorophyll content, Gsw, Ci of Lycium barbarum leaves and 100-grain weight and yield of fresh fruit of Lycium barbarum increased with increasing irrigation, and the protein content, fat content, total sugar content and polysaccharide content in the dried fruits of Lycium barbarum first increased and then decreased with increasing irrigation under the same level of fertilisation, and the maximum value of these indexes reached 70% ETc - 100% ETc. At the same irrigation level, E, A, Gsw, Ci of Lycium barbarum leaves and protein content, fat content, total sugar content and polysaccharide content in the dried fruits of Lycium barbarum increased and then decreased with increasing of fertiliser application volume, and these indexes reached the maximum value at the fertiliser application rate of FM. A comprehensive evaluation based on principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the optimum treatment in both years was W0FM (irrigation level of 100% ETc, corresponding to irrigation water in the range of 254.2-309.4 mm, and fertiliser application of N-P2O5-K2O of 315-82-135 kg ha-1), which was significantly greater in 2021 (2022) than in the CK. E, A, Gsw and Ci of daily changes of Lycium barbarum leaves in the W0FM treatment in 2021 (2022) increased by 46.54% (31.53%), 7.08% (59.26%), 18.55% (10.74%) and 34.58% (29.81%), respectively. In 2021 (2022), W0FM treatment increased fat content, polysaccharide content, and betaine content of dried fruits of Lycium barbarum and the 100-grain weight and yield of fresh fruit by 2.88% (10.11%), 1.56% (10.02%), 8.37% (21.69%), 13.57% (24.81%) and 31.39% (71.50%), respectively. The results of this study may provide a theoretical basis for improving the quality and efficiency of Lycium barbarum in the field in the arid zone of Northwest China.

Diversity Analysis and Comprehensive Evaluation of 101 Soybean (Glycine max L.) Germplasms Based on Sprout Quality Characteristics

Soybean sprouts are a common culinary vegetable due to their high nutrition and tasty flavors. To select soybean varieties with excellent sprout quality, 101 soybean materials were collected from different regions of China, and eight sprout quality parameters were determined for overall evaluation. The results showed that eight sprout quality parameters achieved varying degrees of difference and correlation. Based on the principal component analysis (PCA), three principal components were extracted, with a cumulative contribution rate of 78.314%. Further, the comprehensive evaluation value (D) of soybean sprout quality was calculated by membership function analysis based on PCA, and the quality of soybean sprouts was ranked accordingly. Subsequently, a regression equation for the prediction of soybean sprout quality was established using a stepwise regression analysis, and the model showed a good prediction performance (correlation coefficient of prediction > 0.8; residual predictive deviation > 2.0). On these grounds, it was proposed that the quality of soybean sprouts could be comprehensively predicted by four parameters: hypocotyl length, edible rate, 100-seed weight, and total isoflavone content and saponin content. In conclusion, this study provides excellent varieties for soybean sprout production and new variety breeding, and it provides an important reference for the prediction of soybean sprout quality.

Comparison of grain protein profiles of Brazilian cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) cultivars based on principal component analysis

This study aims to compare the grain protein profile of four Brazilian cowpea cultivars (BRS Aracê, BRS Itaim, BRS Pajeú, and BRS Xiquexique) by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and principal component analysis (PCA). 2-DE efficiently separate cowpea protein profiles, showing high homogeneity among the four cultivars. In addition, the principal component analysis indicated that there is a difference in abundance of proteins among the cultivars. The cultivars BRS Aracê and BRS Xiquexique, both biofortified in iron and zinc, were separated from the cultivars BRS Itaim and BRS Pajeú. These results demonstrate that protein profiles can be used to discriminate cowpea varieties.

Graphical Abstract

Proteomics survey of Solanaceae family: Current status and challenges ahead

Solanaceae is one of the major economically important families of higher plants and has played a central role in human nutrition since the dawn of human civilization. Therefore, researchers have always been interested in understanding the complex behavior of Solanaceae members to identify key transcripts, proteins or metabolites, which are potentially associated with major traits. Proteomics studies have contributed significantly to understanding the physiology of Solanaceae members. A compilation of all the published reports showed that both gel-based (75%) and gel-free (25%) proteomic technologies have been utilized to establish the proteomes of different tissues, organs, and organelles under normal and adverse environmental conditions. Among the Solanaceae members, most of the research has been focused on tomato (42%) followed by potato (28%) and tobacco (20%), owing to their economic importance. This review comprehensively covers the progress made so far in the field of Solanaceae proteomics including novel methods developed to isolate the proteins from different tissues. Moreover, key proteins presented in this review can serve as a resource to select potential targets for crop improvement. We envisage that information presented in this review would enable us to design the stress tolerant plants with enhanced yields.

Proteome comparison for discrimination between honeydew and floral honeys from botanical species Mimosa scabrella Bentham by principal component analysis

BACKGROUND

Due to the increasing valuation and appreciation of honeydew honey in many European countries and also to existing contamination among different types of honeys, authentication is an important aspect of quality control with regard to guaranteeing the origin in terms of source (honeydew or floral) and needs to be determined. Furthermore, proteins are minor components of the honey, despite the importance of their physiological effects, and can differ according to the source of the honey. In this context, the aims of this study were to carry out protein extraction from honeydew and floral honeys and to discriminate these honeys from the same botanical species, Mimosa scabrella Bentham, through proteome comparison using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and principal component analysis.

RESULTS

The results showed that the proteome profile and principal component analysis can be a useful tool for discrimination between these types of honey using matched proteins (45 matched spots). Also, the proteome profile showed 160 protein spots in honeydew honey and 84 spots in the floral honey.

CONCLUSION

The protein profile can be a differential characteristic of this type of honey, in view of the importance of proteins as bioactive compounds in honey. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Comparison of Grain Proteome Profiles of Four Brazilian Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Cultivars

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a source of proteins for about one billion people worldwide. In Brazil, 'BRS Sublime', 'BRS Vereda', 'BRS Esteio', and 'BRS Estilo' cultivars were developed by Embrapa to offer high yield to farmers and excellent quality to final consumers. In this work, grain proteomes of these common bean cultivars were compared based on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to compare 349 matched spots in these cultivars proteomes, and all cultivars were clearly separated in PCA plot. Thirty-two differentially accumulated proteins were identified by MS. Storage proteins such as phaseolins, legumins, and lectins were the most abundant, and novel proteins were also identified. We have built a useful platform that could be used to analyze other Brazilian cultivars and genotypes of common beans.