Identifying the Food Sources of Selected Minerals for the Adult European Population among Rice and Rice Products

Monogalactosyl diacylglycerol synthase 3 affects phosphate utilization and acquisition in rice

Galactolipids are essential to compensate for the loss of phospholipids by 'membrane lipid remodelling' in plants under phosphorus (P) deficiency conditions. Monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG) synthases catalyse the synthesis of MGDG which is further converted into digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGDG), later replacing phospholipids in the extraplastidial membranes. However, the roles of these enzymes are not well explored in rice. In this study, the rice MGDG synthase 3 gene (OsMGD3) was identified and functionally characterized. We showed that the plant phosphate (Pi) status and the transcription factor PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE 2 (OsPHR2) are involved in the transcriptional regulation of OsMGD3. CRISPR/Cas9 knockout and overexpression lines of OsMGD3 were generated to explore its potential role in rice adaptation to Pi deficiency. Compared with the wild type, OsMGD3 knockout lines displayed a reduced Pi acquisition and utilization while overexpression lines showed an enhancement of the same. Further, OsMGD3 showed a predominant role in roots, altering lateral root growth. Our comprehensive lipidomic analysis revealed a role of OsMGD3 in membrane lipid remodelling, in addition to a role in regulating diacylglycerol and phosphatidic acid contents that affected the expression of Pi transporters. Our study highlights the role of OsMGD3 in affecting both internal P utilization and P acquisition in rice.

Assessment of cactus pear leather (pestil) as a new snack food

In this study, selected nutritional and functional properties of cactus pear and cactus pear leather (pestil) processed with different dryers (oven type and pilot scale tray dryers) were evaluated. For this aim, the fruits collected from three different districts of Turkey were processed and the most suitable region and processing method were investigated. Processing with different dryers had significant (p < 0.05) impact on total acidity, total phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, color and hydroxymethylfurfural values of pestil samples and the best results including antioxidant capacity (66.91-70.25%) and total phenolics (1.79-2.01 g gallic acid equivalent per kg) were obtained with the tray dryer. On the other hand, mineral contents (Na, K, Ca, Mg and Fe) of the products were not significantly (p > 0.05) affected from different dryers. Pestil obtained by tray drying gave the highest rate for the taste. According to the results, the fruits collected from the Aegean region of Turkey were more convenient for processing. Because there is a limited number of studies on this fruit, data provided in the present study may also contribute to further studies.

Trace Elements as Contaminants and Nutrients

Knowledge about trace elements has evolved remarkably in recent decades, both in terms of their metabolism and their functions [...]