Morphological and allozyme variation in a collection of Cucumeropsis mannii Naudin (Cucurbitaceae) from Côte d'Ivoire

Dessoky E, Almowallad S, AlShaqhaa MA, AL-Balawi SM, Darwish DBE, Allohibi A, Omara MY, Althobaiti F. Morphological, Biochemical, and Molecular Characterization of Exotic Brassica Germplasm

Oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) is an important oilseed crop. We examined the diversity of germplasm expressed at three distinct levels (i.e., morphological, biochemical, and DNA levels). In this study, 150 B. napus L. accessions with three check varieties were provided by Bioresources Conservation Institute. The germplasm was grown in field conditions for data collection of 15 quantitative and nine qualitative agro-morphological traits. The result indicated that for 15 quantitative agro-morphological traits, the highest coefficient of variation was recorded for plant height and days to flowering initiation. For nine qualitative traits, most of the accessions have a spatulate leaf, brown color seeds, yellow flowers, and erect silique attitude. The best adoptable genetically diverse exotic Brassica germplasms were selected, i.e., accessions 24178, 24881, 24199, 24214, 24242, and 24192. Based on biochemical analysis for high oil content and high oleic acid content, chakwal sarsoon and accession 24192 were selected. For high oleic and linoleic acids, accession 24181 performed best, for low erucic acid accessions 24177 and 24195. Based on molecular (SSR) markers, the top 50 selected genotypes were evaluated with 30 SSR markers. The 47 genotypes with three check varieties were clustered in six major groups; the coefficient of similarity ranged between 0.18 and 1.00. Based on SSR data, the germplasms accession 24178 and Abasin were the most diverse genotypes. These genotypes have the capacity and could be used in future breeding programs. High genetic variations were investigated through the SSR among the studied genotypes of Brassica napus L. The present study also concluded that SSR is a better technique for intraspecific genetic diversity. Other modern techniques should be applied such as SNIP for the investigation of a high level of genetic diversity among crop plants in the future.

Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil protects against Bisphenol A-induced testicular mitochondrial damages

There has been increasing search for the ameliorative properties of seed oils against toxicants. bisphenol A acts as an estrogenic endocrine-disrupting chemical capable of causing male infertility. This study aimed to explore Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil effects against mitochondrial damage in rats using bisphenol A. Forty-eight rats were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 6) of eight rats each and fed the same food and water for 6 weeks. The group A rats were given 1 mL olive oil, while the ones in group B were given bisphenol A at 100 mL/kg body weight via oral route. Group C received C. mannii seed oil 7.5 mL/kg body weight C. mannii seed oil, while group D, group E, and group F were pre-administered bisphenol A at 100 mL/kg body weight, followed by treatment with C. mannii seed oil at 7.5, 5, and 2.5 mL/kg body weight, respectively. Antioxidant enzymes, glutathione, reactive oxygen species, testicular volume, malondialdehyde, body weight, and testicular studies were done using standard methods. The results of the bisphenol A-administered group showed a significant decrease in the antioxidant enzymes, glutathione, body weight, and testicular volume with elevation in the levels of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and testicular indices. BPA + CMSO-treated group showed a significant increase in GPx activity compared with BPA-exposed rats. CMSO treatment significantly increased catalase activity in comparison with that of rats exposed to BPA. Remarkably, C. mannii seed oil and bisphenol A co-administration significantly reversed the abnormalities observed in the dysregulated biochemical biomarkers. Our findings suggest that C. mannii seed oil has considerable antioxidant potential which can be explored in therapeutic development against systemic toxicity induced by exposure to bisphenol A. Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil protects against bisphenol A-induced testicular mitochondria damages.

Effect of germination and fermentation on the proximate composition and functional properties of full-fat and defatted cucumeropsis mannii seed flours

Germinated, fermented and raw Cucumeropsis mannii (melon) seeds were processed into flours. A portion of the flours were defatted using n-hexane; both the full fat and defatted flours were evaluated for proximate composition and functional properties. The proximate compositions of the full fat and defatted C. mannii seed flours were: moisture, 4.97-5.67 % and 6.17-8.13 %; total ash, 1.95-3.24 % and 4.38-7.19 %; crude protein, 36.62-39.91 % and 71.91-77.05 %; crude fat, 45.06-49.57 % and 1.56-2.57 %; crude fibre, 2.71-3.63 % and 4.34-4.59 %; carbohydrate, 3.78-4.07 % and 4.45-6.54 %, respectively. The functional properties of the flour from full-fat and defatted seed were: water absorption capacity, 116.67-183.33 % and 216.67-267.67 %; oil absorption capacity, 252.33-274.00 % and 292.00-345.00 %; foaming capacity 17.36-30.34 % and 34.78-44.69 %; foaming stability, 5.17-11.54 % and 11.41-14.55 %; least gelation concentration, 24.67-28.00 and 13.33-18.67 %; emulsion capacity, 49.73-79.28 mL/g and 40.34-65.61 mL/g; bulk density 0.65-0.81 g/mL and 0.36-0.39 g/mL; protein solubility 4.00-5.89 % and 5.21-7.11 %, respectively. Germination enhanced the water absorption capacity, foaming capacity and protein solubility while fermentation increased the emulsion capacity. Defatting improved the water and oil absorption capacities, foaming capacity and protein solubility. The flour from germinated seeds may find use as ingredients in food emulsion and salad dressing, while those from fermented seeds may be used as food thickeners.