botrytis leaf extract: Photocatalytic, antimicrobial and larvicidal activity

Green synthesis of nanomaterials has emerged as an ecofriendly sustainable technology for the removal of dyes in the last few decades. Especially, plant leaf extracts have been considered as inexpensive and effective materials for the synthesis of nanoparticles. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were prepared using leaves extract of Brassica oleracea var. botrytis (BO) by co-precipitation and applied for photocatalytic/antibacterial activity. The synthesized BO-ZnO NPs was characterized by different instrumental techniques. The UV-vis Spectrum of the synthesized material showed maximum absorbance at a wavelength of 311 nm, which confirmed the formation of BO-ZnO NPs. The XRD pattern of BO-ZnO NPs represents a hexagonal wurtzite structure and the average size of particles was about 52 nm. FT-IR spectrum analysis confirms the presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl, carboxylic, and phenol groups. SEM images exhibited a flower like morphology and EDX spectrum confirming the presence of the elements Zn and O. Photo-catalytic activity of BO-ZnO NPs was tested against thiazine dye (methylene blue-MB) degradation under direct sunlight irradiation. Around 80% of the MB dye got degraded at pH 8 under 75 min of sunlight irradiation. Further, the study examined that the antimicrobial and larvicidal activity of BO-ZnO NPs obtained through green synthesis. The antimicrobial study results showed that the BO-ZnO NPs formed zones against bacterial pathogens. The results showed the formation of an inhibition zone against B. subtills (16 mm), S.aureus (13 mm), K. pneumonia (13 mm), and E. coli (9 mm) respectively at a concentration of 100 μg/mL of BO-ZnO NPs. The larvicidal activity of the BO-ZnO NPs was tested against the fourth instar of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito larvae The LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values estimated through the larvicidal activity of BO-ZnO NPs were 76.03, 190.03 ppm respectively. Hence the above findings propose the synthesized BO-ZnO NPs by the ecofriendly method can be used for various environmental and antipathogenic applications.

botrytis (cauliflower) in India

The Brassica oleracea var. botrytis (cauliflower) is an important annual vegetable crop in the Brassicaceae family and is extensively grown worldwide (Singh et al. 2018). In the early summer of 2022, the cauliflower plants grown at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, India, showed virus-like symptoms. Symptoms comprised chlorosis, stunted growth, mottling, necrosis, and mosaic. Additionally, the infected plants had deformed, curled leaves and reduced growth. The symptomatic plant leaf samples were collected and examined under the transmission electron microscope (TEM), which showed rigid, rod-shaped particles with tubular morphology resembling tobacco rattle virus (TRV, genus Tobravirus) infection (Basavaraj et al. 2020). TRV has a vast host range and is reported to infect many vegetable crops (beans, beets, peppers, potatoes, and spinach) and ornamental plants (lily, marigold, and tulip) (Adams et al. 2012; Katoch et al. 2004; MacFarlane, 1999). The reverse transcription (RT)-PCR also tested infected samples. Total RNA was extracted with Plant RNeasy Mini Kit (Qiagen, Germany). The cDNA was prepared using a RevertAid First Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific, US). A 600-bp-long coat protein gene of TRV was PCR amplified using coat protein gene (CPG)-specific primers (TRVCPF: ATGGGAGATATGTACGATGAATC and TRVCPR: CTAGGGATTAGGACGTATCGGA). The PCR reaction contained 5.0µl of 5× Go-Taq Flexi buffer, 2.5µl of 25mM MgCl2, 1.0µl of 10mM dNTPs, 0.75µl each of 10µm forward and reverse primers of TRVCP, 1.0µl of cDNA, 13.8µl of nuclease-free water, and 0.2µl of Go-Taq polymerase (Promega, US). No template control was run with this PCR. The PCR (Gradient thermocycler, C-1000TM, BIORAD) was carried out under the following conditions: 94°C for 2 min, followed by 35 cycles of 94°C for 1 min, 50°C for 30 sec, and 72°C for 1 min, and final elongation at 72°C for 10 min. TRV was amplified in three cauliflower samples at IARI, New Delhi (Lat 28.08° N and Long 77.12°E). The amplicon of partial CPG was sequenced by Sanger sequencing (AgriGenome Labs Pvt. Ltd., India). The BLASTN analysis of the CPG revealed 100% nucleotide homology with TRV isolates (Accession No. Z36974) (Hernandez et al. 1995). Three isolates were sequenced and submitted to the GenBank database (Accession Nos. ON983976, ON983977, and ON983978). The sap from the TRV-infected cauliflower leaves were used to confirm the infection of TRV in healthy cauliflower plants grown in the greenhouse condition. TRV may be a new threat to cauliflower production and needs further research to elaborate more about the virus-host interactions and disease resistance. As per our knowledge, this is the first report of TRV infecting cauliflower in India.

Domestic cooking practices influence the carotenoid and tocopherol content in colored cauliflower

Cauliflowers are generally associated with healthy diets due to their positive impact on health. This research aims to evaluate the effects of cooking processes (boiling, steaming and microwaving) and different preparation times, on the content of carotenoids and provitamin A and tocopherols, in cauliflowers and to verify the effect of the cooking process on maintaining the coloring. The results revealed that the thermal processinfluencedthe antioxidant compounds releaseindependent of genotype. The highest content of zeaxanthin and lutein was found in 'Verde di Macerata' after boiling for 20 min. 'Cheddar' presented the highest content of all carotenoids and when steamed for 20 min, the highest levels ofprovitamin Awere observed.Microwaved and bolied 'Grafitti' for longer times showed the highest retention of tocopherol. The cooking did not negatively affect the visual aspect. 'Verde di Macerata' and 'Cheddar' may be good sources of carotenoids and tocopherols.

Genetics and Expression Analysis of Anthocyanin Accumulation in Curd Portion of Sicilian Purple to Facilitate Biofortification of Indian Cauliflower

The present study was undertaken to know the genetics of purple color of cauliflower curds using a Sicilian purple 'PC-1' and a white curding mid-late group genotype of Indian cauliflower. For this, a cross was attempted between 'DC-466' (white curd) and 'PC-1' (purple curd) and observed intermediate level of purple pigmentation on curds in F₁ plants. Segregation of F₂ population (173) revealed that the purple color of the curd was governed by a single gene dominant over white, but the expression of trait was incomplete. It was substantiated by segregation of plants of BC₁ and F_{2:3(intermediate)} generations into 1(white):1(intermediate) and 1(white):2(intermediate):1(intense), respectively. The F₂, B₁, and B₂ generations segregated into purple(intermediate to intense): white curding plants in the ratio of 126: 47, 26:24, and 40:0, respectively fitting well with the Mendelian ratio of single gene for purple curds. However, purple pigmentation on curds ranged from very light to intense, which corroborated with the wide range of anthocyanin content in F₂ (3.81-48.21 mg/100 g fw). Out of three molecular markers from high resolution map of Pr gene in purple color cauliflower 'Graffiti', only BoMYB3 marker could distinguish purple and white curding parents but did not show co-segregation while investigated in F₂ population. Expression of BoMYB1 gene was up regulated in both the purple curd genotypes 'PC-1' and 'Graffiti' in comparison to white curded 'DC-466', while BoMYB2 gene was slightly upregulated in 'PC-1' but down regulated in 'Graffiti'. Occurrence of 'broccoli type' F₂ individuals and their genetic stability in F_2:3 support the intermediate position of 'Sicilian purple' between broccoli (Calabrese) and cauliflower. There was not any correlation between curd coloration and pigmentation on apical leaf and stem portion, indicating difference of expression in 'PC-1' than 'Graffiti'. The information obtained is useful for breeding anthocyanin rich attractive purple curding 'specialty cauliflower' for better consumer health and growers' earnings.

Bioactive Amines Screening in Four Genotypes of Thermally Processed Cauliflower

Biogenic amines are important indicators of food quality with recognized antioxidant capacity. Diets that are rich in these compounds promote several benefits for human health, although the consumption in excess may result in food poisoning. This study aims to screen the levels of biogenic amines in four colored cauliflowers, before and after cooking (boiling, steaming, and microwaving). In addition, the levels of tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan, two serotonin precursors, were analyzed. Our results reveal that thermal processing shows a tendency to increase tryptophan levels and reduce 5-hydroxytryptophan in colored cauliflowers. A reduction of the tryptophan and increase in serotonin contents in 'Cheddar', steamed or microwaved, was observed. A higher level of histamine was observed in the genotype 'Forata' after cooking, whereas melatonin levels were higher after steaming and microwaving. The lowest levels of biogenic amines and amino acids were observed in 'Graffiti'. All the colored cauliflowers that were analyzed presented a chemical quality index (CQI) below the pre-established limits, indicating that are safe for consumption, even after cooking. We conclude that the levels of biogenic amines and amino acids in colored cauliflower are safe for human consumption and do not present health risks. Therefore, the consumption of these genotypes, raw or cooked, is a good source of bioactive compounds.

botrytis plants by Rhizobium rhizogenes

Brassica oleracea var. botrytis, a very popular crop grown for its edible inflorescence, is bred only as a mutated annual cultivar and does not naturally occur in environment. Since cauliflower is still described as the most troublesome of all the B. oleracea vegetables regarding transformation processes, it is fully justified to focus on the improvement of tools for its genetic modifications. Here, we present a successful protocol for genetic transformation of cauliflower employing the process of agroinfection. The primary analysis of in vitro response of five cultivars allowed us to have chosen Pionier as the most promising cultivar; in consequence the Pionier was transformed via Rhizobium-mediated techniques in order to evaluate both, R. radiobacter (EHA 105, LBA 4404) and R. rhizogenes (ATCC 18534, A4) species. However, the latter system turned out to be more effective and, the A4 strain, in particular (72% transformation efficiency, 55% confirmed by GUS assay). That shows a promising technical advance especially when compared to the results of previous literature reports (e.g. 8.7% reported efficiency using R. rhizogenes). The transgenic cauliflower was obtained from hairy roots via organogenic callus induction. The potential transformants were analysed at the genomic and proteomic levels and their transgenic character was fully confirmed.

botrytis

Study on the ecological effect of metal oxide nanomaterials (NMs) has quickly amplified over the precedent years because it is assumed that these NMs will sooner or later be released into the environment. The present study deals with biologically oriented process for the green synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) by using Morus alba leaf extract as reducing agent. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis revealed the monoclinic phase and 20-40nm size respectively. The presence of reducing and capping agents revealed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The seedlings of Brassica oleracea var. botrytis and Solanum lycopersicum were exposed to 10, 50, 100, and 500mgL^-1 concentrations of CuO NPs in the sand medium. Bioaccumulation of Cu was also investigated by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Plant exposure to 100 and 500mgL^-1 of CuO NPs has resulted in significant reduction of total chlorophyll and sugar content in the two test plants while 10mgL^-1 of NPs slightly increased the pigment and sugar content in tomato plants only. Augmentation of lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage, and antioxidant enzyme activity was observed in a dose dependent manner upon plants exposure to CuO NPs. Deposition of lignin in roots of both plants treated with the highest concentration of CuO NPs was observed. Histochemical analysis of leaves of treated plant with nitroblue tetrazolium and 3^'3^' diaminobenzidine showed a concentration dependent increase in superoxide and hydrogen peroxide formation in leaves. The green synthesis of CuO NPs was carried out by using Morus alba leaf extract. Accumulation of NPs more actively by tomato plants as compared to cauliflower was possibly due to the difference in root morphology. The histochemical visualization highlights the spatial organization of oxidant biochemistry occurring in response to metal stress.

Reaction of Cauliflower Genotypes to Black Rot of Crucifers

This study aimed to evaluate six cauliflower genotypes regarding their resistance to black rot and their production performance. To do so, it was conducted two field experiments in Ipameri, Goiás, Brazil, in 2012 and 2013. It was used a randomized block design, with four replications (total of 24 plots). Each plot consisted of three planting lines 2.5 m long (six plants/line), spaced 1.0 m apart, for a total area of 7.5 m(2). Evaluations of black rot severity were performed at 45 days after transplanting, this is, 75 days after sowing (DAS), and yield evaluations at 90 to 105 DAS. The Verona 184 genotype was the most resistant to black rot, showing 1.87 and 2.25% of leaf area covered by black rot symptom (LACBRS) in 2012 and 2013. However, it was not among the most productive materials. The yield of the genotypes varied between 15.14 and 25.83 t/ha in both years, Lisvera F1 (21.78 and 24.60 t/ha) and Cindy (19.95 and 23.56 t/ha) being the most productive. However, Lisvera F1 showed 6.37 and 9.37% of LACBRS and Cindy showed 14.25 and 14.87% of LACBRS in 2012 and 2013, being both considered as tolerant to black rot.