OBJECTIVE:In the present study,we investigated the effects of jatropholone B from Jatropha curcas(J.curcas)on melanin synthesis in Mel-Ab cells.METHODS:Mel-Ab cells were cultured to measure melanin content and tyrosin...OBJECTIVE:In the present study,we investigated the effects of jatropholone B from Jatropha curcas(J.curcas)on melanin synthesis in Mel-Ab cells.METHODS:Mel-Ab cells were cultured to measure melanin content and tyrosinase activities.Western blotting was performed to investigate jatropholone Binduced signal transduction and measure the expression of melanogenic proteins.RESULTS:Jatropholone B decreased melanin synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner but did not directly inhibit the activity of tyrosinase,a melanogenic enzyme.Instead,jatropholone B downregulated microphthalmiaassociated transcription factor(MITF)and tyrosinase protein levels.Therefore,we investigated jatropholone Binduced signal transduction related to MITF and tyrosinase expression.However,jatropholone B had no significant effect on Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3βphosphorylation as well asβ-catenin change.In contrast,jatropholone B was observed to phosphorylate extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)for the first time.To clarify the involvement of ERK activation in jatropholone B-induced hypopigmentation,we pretreated cells with PD98059,a specific ERK pathway inhibitor,and measured MITF and tyrosinase levels as well as melanin content.PD98059 pretreatment abrogated jatropholone B-induced downregulation of MITF and tyrosinase expression as well as reduction in melanin production.CONCLUSIONS:Based on these results,we suggest that ERK activation by jatropholone B inhibits melanogenesis via the downregulation of MITF and tyrosinase expression.Therefore,jatropholone B from J.curcas can be a candidate for developing a new skinwhitening agent.展开更多
【Objective】Jatropha curcas is a potential source of biodiesel plant grown on waste and unattended lands,and parts of the areas are often suffered from flooding.The present study was conducted to develop a model to c...【Objective】Jatropha curcas is a potential source of biodiesel plant grown on waste and unattended lands,and parts of the areas are often suffered from flooding.The present study was conducted to develop a model to calculate the net CO_(2)assimilation rate,transpiration rate and stomatal conductance with respect to leaf position,which affect the J.curcas productivity under soil flooding.【Method】The process of developing mathematical models for physiological responses associated with parameterization,optimization and validation.The concept was applied for the calculation of net CO 2 assimilation rate from transpiration rate and stomatal conductance,transpiration rate from net CO_(2)assimilation rate and stomatal conductance,and stomatal conductance from net CO_(2)assimilation rate and transpiration rate in different leaf positions of J.curcas.The models were tested under soil flooding and normal conditions to suffice its wider applicability.A model was proposed to calculate net CO 2 assimilation rate,transpiration rate and stomatal conductance responses from a known set of response function data by calculating a transformation characteristic constant between any two possible paired response functions.【Result】The mean deviations and root mean square errors(RMSE)of calculated physiological responses were low,which validated the proposed hypothesis and statistical models.The approach was applied for modeling physiological responses successfully in J.curcas.RMSE ranged from1.69%to 11.17%when transpiration rate and stomatal conductance were transformed to net CO_(2)assimilation rate,and from 1.70%to 11.61%in case net CO_(2)assimilation rate and stomatal conductance were transformed to transpiration rate,and from 3.87%to 13.21%if net CO_(2)assimilation rate and transpiration rate were transformed to stomatal conductance,respectively.【Conclusion】The model can be useful for calculating cumulative responses under different conditions from a basic known set of data.The key to successful physiological models is finding the better options that are realistic,easy to understand,interpretative and practical between adherence to reality,comprehensibility,interpretative value,and practical usefulness on sustainable agriculture in years to come.展开更多
Curcin, a ribosome-inactivating protein with a molecular weight of about 28.2 kD, which strongly inhibits the protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lysate system with an IC50 value of about (0.19 +/- 0.01) nmol/L, ...Curcin, a ribosome-inactivating protein with a molecular weight of about 28.2 kD, which strongly inhibits the protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lysate system with an IC50 value of about (0.19 +/- 0.01) nmol/L, was purified from the seeds of Jatropha curcas L. The protein has the activity of rRNA N-glycosidase. Degenerate primers were designed based on the N-terminal partial sequence from purified curcin. The full-length curcin cDNA by RT-PCR and 5'-RACE was cloned. The deduced amino acids sequence indicates that a preprotein with 20 amino acid residues is first translated and then processed to a mature protein with 251 amino acids. The deduced amino acids sequence shares homology of 33% and 57% to those of type I ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) and A chain of type II RIPs, respectively. The sequence encoding mature curcin was integrated into the pQE-30 vector for expression in Escherichia coli strain M15 (pREP4). The purified recombinant curcin was able to inhibit protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lysate system.展开更多
[ Objective] The aim of this study was to establish the optimum cpSSR-PCR system for Jatropha curcas Linn. [ Method] cpSSR-PCR amplification system for Jatropha curcas Linn influenced by five factors including Taq DNA...[ Objective] The aim of this study was to establish the optimum cpSSR-PCR system for Jatropha curcas Linn. [ Method] cpSSR-PCR amplification system for Jatropha curcas Linn influenced by five factors including Taq DNA polymerase, Mg^2＋ , DNA template, dNTP and primer were optimized from several levels. [ Result] The optimum concentration of 20 μl reaction system was 10 × Buffer, 2.00 mmol/L Mg^2＋ , 2 U/μl Taq DNA polymerase, 0.2 mmol/L dNTP, 0.2 μmol/L primer and 35 ng/μl DNA template. [ Conclusion] The optimum annealing temperature for cpSSR-PCR reaction system is 52 ℃, and the cpSSR reaction system is steady and reproducible.展开更多
[Objective] The study aimed to investigate the changes of water status and different responses of osmoregulants during air-drought stress,to better understand mechanisms of drought resistance in Jatropha Curcas L. [Me...[Objective] The study aimed to investigate the changes of water status and different responses of osmoregulants during air-drought stress,to better understand mechanisms of drought resistance in Jatropha Curcas L. [Methods] The 12-day-old J. curcas seedlings were held in a climate chamber at 25/20 ℃（day/night）,16 hours illumination,and 75% of relative humidity for air-drought treatment,and the changes of water potential,osmotic potential and the content of soluble sugar,proline,betaine were measured. [Results] Water potential and osmotic potential in leaves of J. curcas seedlings dropped significantly,pressure potential lost during air-drought stress,and the contents of osmoregulants soluble sugar,proline and betaine rose significantly to different extent in the leaves and stems. [Conclusion] Osmoregulants in the leaves and stems respond differently to air-drought stress,and in general leaves are much more responsive to the drought than stems of J. curcas seedlings.展开更多
Objective: To evaluate antimicrobial activities as well as the phytochemical and lavicidal properties of different parts of Jatropha curcas L.(J. curcas) growing in Mauritius.Methods: Determination of the presence of ...Objective: To evaluate antimicrobial activities as well as the phytochemical and lavicidal properties of different parts of Jatropha curcas L.(J. curcas) growing in Mauritius.Methods: Determination of the presence of phytochemicals in the crude plants extracts by test tube reactions. Disc diffusion method and microdilution method were used to detect the antimicrobial sensitivity and activity(minimal inhibitory concentration). The crude solvent extracts were also tested on the larvae of two insects, Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera cucurbitae(Diptera, Tephritidae).Results: The antimicrobial activities were significantly dependent for the different crude plant extracts on the thirteen microorganisms tested. For the Gram-positive bacteria, the crude ethyl acetate extract was more efficient compared to the Gram-negative bacteria with both solvents being effective. The crude ethyl acetate extract of J. curcas bark and mature seed oil showed the highest efficacy. The highest mortality percentage was observed after 24 h for both Diptera flies with(66.67 ± 2.89)% of Bactrocera cucurbitae larvae killed by ethyl acetate extract of J. curcas bark.Conclusions: This paper compared the different J. curcas plant sections with respect to the effectiveness of the plant as a potential candidate for new pharmaceuticals. The larvicidal effect was also studied in order to demonstrate the dual purpose of the plant.展开更多
Yunnan Province is the main distributing area ofJatropha curcas L. This plant is abundant in several drainage areas of the dry-hot, dry-warm and sub-humid valleys in the south subtropical area of Yunnan Province. The ...Yunnan Province is the main distributing area ofJatropha curcas L. This plant is abundant in several drainage areas of the dry-hot, dry-warm and sub-humid valleys in the south subtropical area of Yunnan Province. The seeds that were picked from trees blossoming between April and May and fructifying between September and October will have large seed yield and fine quality. For developing bio-diesel stock forest ofJ. curcas in areas with adaptive climate, seeding measures for afforestation should be taken and techniques on breeding, fast-growing, and high-yielding plantation cultivation are very important.展开更多
The non-edible oils are believed to be one of the major feedstock for the production of biodiesel in future.In the present study,we investigated the production of Jatropha oil methyl esters（JOMEs） via alkali-catalyz...The non-edible oils are believed to be one of the major feedstock for the production of biodiesel in future.In the present study,we investigated the production of Jatropha oil methyl esters（JOMEs） via alkali-catalyzed transesterification route.The biophysical characteristics of Jatropha oil were found within the optimal range in accordance with ASTM standards as a substitute diesel fuel.The chemical composition and production yield of as-synthesized biodiesel were confirmed by various analytical techniques such as FT-IR,1H NMR,13 C NMR and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.A high percentage conversion,～96.09%,of fatty acids into esters was achieved under optimized transesterification conditions with 6 ：1 oil to methanol ratio and 0.9 wt% Na OH for 50 min at ～60°C.Moreover,twelve fatty acids methyl esters（FAME） were quantified in the GC/MS analysis and it was interesting to note that the mass fragmentation pattern of saturated,monounsaturated and diunsaturated FAME was comparable with the literature reported values.展开更多
Plant flowering and breeding characteristics are important for us to understand the reproduction of plant populations. In this paper, we studied the reproduction characteristics of Jatropha curcas in Yuanjiang County ...Plant flowering and breeding characteristics are important for us to understand the reproduction of plant populations. In this paper, we studied the reproduction characteristics of Jatropha curcas in Yuanjiang County （23°36＇1＇4, 101°00＇E）, Yunnan Province. The plant produces flowers in dichasial inflorescences. Normally, the flowers are unisexual, and male and female flowers are produced in the same inflorescence. Only a few male flowers are produced in an inflorescence, and fruits are produced only through pollination between different flowers from the same or different plants. By the treatments of emasculation, bagging and artificial pollination in this experiment, there were few but same fruit set ratios when the inflorescences were emasculated, bagged, or bagged with net, except artificial pollination treatments, which showed that Jatropha curcas could produce fruit through apomixis but not wind pollination. When the inflorescences were unbagged, unemasculated and with free pollination treatments, or bagged, emasculated and with artificial cross-pollination treatments, or unbagged, emasculated and with free pollination treatments, there were many fruits produced. It showed that Jatropha curcas shows outcrossing, is self-compatible, and demanding for pollinators. Normally, the male flowers open first and a few flowers bloom in one day in a raceme. These flowers last a long time in bloom. However, a large number of female flowers open from the third to the fifth day, with some female flowers opening first in a few raceme. This shows a tendency to promote xenogamy and minimize geitonogamy.展开更多
Using degenerate primers and RT-PCR, RACE techniques, a 1491 bp cDNA segment of stearoyl-acyl carrier protein desaturase （SAD） is cloned from developing seeds of Jatropha curcas L. The segment contains a 1191 bp of ...Using degenerate primers and RT-PCR, RACE techniques, a 1491 bp cDNA segment of stearoyl-acyl carrier protein desaturase （SAD） is cloned from developing seeds of Jatropha curcas L. The segment contains a 1191 bp of complete open reading frame （ORF）. Analysis in the BLAST on NCBI shows that Jatropha curcas SAD （JSAD） gene encodes a protein precursor composed of a signal peptide of 33 amino acids and a mature peptide of 363 amino acids. The homological analysis shows that JSAD has high level of homology both in nucleotide sequence and in amino acid sequence to other plants SADs. The nucleotide and peptide identity of JSAD to Ricinus communis SAD （RSAD） is up to 89% and 96.2% respectively. Molecular modeling of JSAD indicates that its three-dimensional structure strongly resembled the crystal structure of RSAD.展开更多
Oil was extracted from seeds of Jatropha Curcas,in high yields(up to 40% by weight).The extracted Jatropha oil was converted in a laboratory reactor to biodiesel by transesterification.Analysis of Jatropha oil and Jat...Oil was extracted from seeds of Jatropha Curcas,in high yields(up to 40% by weight).The extracted Jatropha oil was converted in a laboratory reactor to biodiesel by transesterification.Analysis of Jatropha oil and Jatropha biodiesel by GC/MS and GC/SIMDIS showed that Jatropha oil could be readily converted to a biodiesel product through NaOH catalyzed transesterification.The resulting biodiesel has desirable properties such as high cetane number and low flash point,which are major improvements over the properties of commercial biodiesel fuels.展开更多
基金the Chung-Ang University Young Scientist Scholarship。
文摘OBJECTIVE:In the present study,we investigated the effects of jatropholone B from Jatropha curcas(J.curcas)on melanin synthesis in Mel-Ab cells.METHODS:Mel-Ab cells were cultured to measure melanin content and tyrosinase activities.Western blotting was performed to investigate jatropholone Binduced signal transduction and measure the expression of melanogenic proteins.RESULTS:Jatropholone B decreased melanin synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner but did not directly inhibit the activity of tyrosinase,a melanogenic enzyme.Instead,jatropholone B downregulated microphthalmiaassociated transcription factor(MITF)and tyrosinase protein levels.Therefore,we investigated jatropholone Binduced signal transduction related to MITF and tyrosinase expression.However,jatropholone B had no significant effect on Akt and glycogen synthase kinase-3βphosphorylation as well asβ-catenin change.In contrast,jatropholone B was observed to phosphorylate extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)for the first time.To clarify the involvement of ERK activation in jatropholone B-induced hypopigmentation,we pretreated cells with PD98059,a specific ERK pathway inhibitor,and measured MITF and tyrosinase levels as well as melanin content.PD98059 pretreatment abrogated jatropholone B-induced downregulation of MITF and tyrosinase expression as well as reduction in melanin production.CONCLUSIONS:Based on these results,we suggest that ERK activation by jatropholone B inhibits melanogenesis via the downregulation of MITF and tyrosinase expression.Therefore,jatropholone B from J.curcas can be a candidate for developing a new skinwhitening agent.
文摘【Objective】Jatropha curcas is a potential source of biodiesel plant grown on waste and unattended lands,and parts of the areas are often suffered from flooding.The present study was conducted to develop a model to calculate the net CO_(2)assimilation rate,transpiration rate and stomatal conductance with respect to leaf position,which affect the J.curcas productivity under soil flooding.【Method】The process of developing mathematical models for physiological responses associated with parameterization,optimization and validation.The concept was applied for the calculation of net CO 2 assimilation rate from transpiration rate and stomatal conductance,transpiration rate from net CO_(2)assimilation rate and stomatal conductance,and stomatal conductance from net CO_(2)assimilation rate and transpiration rate in different leaf positions of J.curcas.The models were tested under soil flooding and normal conditions to suffice its wider applicability.A model was proposed to calculate net CO 2 assimilation rate,transpiration rate and stomatal conductance responses from a known set of response function data by calculating a transformation characteristic constant between any two possible paired response functions.【Result】The mean deviations and root mean square errors(RMSE)of calculated physiological responses were low,which validated the proposed hypothesis and statistical models.The approach was applied for modeling physiological responses successfully in J.curcas.RMSE ranged from1.69%to 11.17%when transpiration rate and stomatal conductance were transformed to net CO_(2)assimilation rate,and from 1.70%to 11.61%in case net CO_(2)assimilation rate and stomatal conductance were transformed to transpiration rate,and from 3.87%to 13.21%if net CO_(2)assimilation rate and transpiration rate were transformed to stomatal conductance,respectively.【Conclusion】The model can be useful for calculating cumulative responses under different conditions from a basic known set of data.The key to successful physiological models is finding the better options that are realistic,easy to understand,interpretative and practical between adherence to reality,comprehensibility,interpretative value,and practical usefulness on sustainable agriculture in years to come.
文摘Curcin, a ribosome-inactivating protein with a molecular weight of about 28.2 kD, which strongly inhibits the protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lysate system with an IC50 value of about (0.19 +/- 0.01) nmol/L, was purified from the seeds of Jatropha curcas L. The protein has the activity of rRNA N-glycosidase. Degenerate primers were designed based on the N-terminal partial sequence from purified curcin. The full-length curcin cDNA by RT-PCR and 5'-RACE was cloned. The deduced amino acids sequence indicates that a preprotein with 20 amino acid residues is first translated and then processed to a mature protein with 251 amino acids. The deduced amino acids sequence shares homology of 33% and 57% to those of type I ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs) and A chain of type II RIPs, respectively. The sequence encoding mature curcin was integrated into the pQE-30 vector for expression in Escherichia coli strain M15 (pREP4). The purified recombinant curcin was able to inhibit protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocyte lysate system.
基金Supported by National Scientific and Technical Supporting Project ofStudies on Superior Species Selecting and Breeding Technique ofJatropha curcasLinn(2007BAD50B01)~~
文摘[ Objective] The aim of this study was to establish the optimum cpSSR-PCR system for Jatropha curcas Linn. [ Method] cpSSR-PCR amplification system for Jatropha curcas Linn influenced by five factors including Taq DNA polymerase, Mg^2＋ , DNA template, dNTP and primer were optimized from several levels. [ Result] The optimum concentration of 20 μl reaction system was 10 × Buffer, 2.00 mmol/L Mg^2＋ , 2 U/μl Taq DNA polymerase, 0.2 mmol/L dNTP, 0.2 μmol/L primer and 35 ng/μl DNA template. [ Conclusion] The optimum annealing temperature for cpSSR-PCR reaction system is 52 ℃, and the cpSSR reaction system is steady and reproducible.
基金Supported by Special Key R&D Fund from Yunnan Provincial Department of Education (ZD2010004)~~
文摘[Objective] The study aimed to investigate the changes of water status and different responses of osmoregulants during air-drought stress,to better understand mechanisms of drought resistance in Jatropha Curcas L. [Methods] The 12-day-old J. curcas seedlings were held in a climate chamber at 25/20 ℃（day/night）,16 hours illumination,and 75% of relative humidity for air-drought treatment,and the changes of water potential,osmotic potential and the content of soluble sugar,proline,betaine were measured. [Results] Water potential and osmotic potential in leaves of J. curcas seedlings dropped significantly,pressure potential lost during air-drought stress,and the contents of osmoregulants soluble sugar,proline and betaine rose significantly to different extent in the leaves and stems. [Conclusion] Osmoregulants in the leaves and stems respond differently to air-drought stress,and in general leaves are much more responsive to the drought than stems of J. curcas seedlings.
文摘Objective: To evaluate antimicrobial activities as well as the phytochemical and lavicidal properties of different parts of Jatropha curcas L.(J. curcas) growing in Mauritius.Methods: Determination of the presence of phytochemicals in the crude plants extracts by test tube reactions. Disc diffusion method and microdilution method were used to detect the antimicrobial sensitivity and activity(minimal inhibitory concentration). The crude solvent extracts were also tested on the larvae of two insects, Bactrocera zonata and Bactrocera cucurbitae(Diptera, Tephritidae).Results: The antimicrobial activities were significantly dependent for the different crude plant extracts on the thirteen microorganisms tested. For the Gram-positive bacteria, the crude ethyl acetate extract was more efficient compared to the Gram-negative bacteria with both solvents being effective. The crude ethyl acetate extract of J. curcas bark and mature seed oil showed the highest efficacy. The highest mortality percentage was observed after 24 h for both Diptera flies with(66.67 ± 2.89)% of Bactrocera cucurbitae larvae killed by ethyl acetate extract of J. curcas bark.Conclusions: This paper compared the different J. curcas plant sections with respect to the effectiveness of the plant as a potential candidate for new pharmaceuticals. The larvicidal effect was also studied in order to demonstrate the dual purpose of the plant.
文摘Yunnan Province is the main distributing area ofJatropha curcas L. This plant is abundant in several drainage areas of the dry-hot, dry-warm and sub-humid valleys in the south subtropical area of Yunnan Province. The seeds that were picked from trees blossoming between April and May and fructifying between September and October will have large seed yield and fine quality. For developing bio-diesel stock forest ofJ. curcas in areas with adaptive climate, seeding measures for afforestation should be taken and techniques on breeding, fast-growing, and high-yielding plantation cultivation are very important.
基金financial and moral support from the National Centre for Physics Islamabad,Pakistan to carry out of this present research workDeanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for it’s funding of this research through the Research Group Project no RGP-VPP-345
文摘The non-edible oils are believed to be one of the major feedstock for the production of biodiesel in future.In the present study,we investigated the production of Jatropha oil methyl esters（JOMEs） via alkali-catalyzed transesterification route.The biophysical characteristics of Jatropha oil were found within the optimal range in accordance with ASTM standards as a substitute diesel fuel.The chemical composition and production yield of as-synthesized biodiesel were confirmed by various analytical techniques such as FT-IR,1H NMR,13 C NMR and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.A high percentage conversion,～96.09%,of fatty acids into esters was achieved under optimized transesterification conditions with 6 ：1 oil to methanol ratio and 0.9 wt% Na OH for 50 min at ～60°C.Moreover,twelve fatty acids methyl esters（FAME） were quantified in the GC/MS analysis and it was interesting to note that the mass fragmentation pattern of saturated,monounsaturated and diunsaturated FAME was comparable with the literature reported values.
文摘Plant flowering and breeding characteristics are important for us to understand the reproduction of plant populations. In this paper, we studied the reproduction characteristics of Jatropha curcas in Yuanjiang County （23°36＇1＇4, 101°00＇E）, Yunnan Province. The plant produces flowers in dichasial inflorescences. Normally, the flowers are unisexual, and male and female flowers are produced in the same inflorescence. Only a few male flowers are produced in an inflorescence, and fruits are produced only through pollination between different flowers from the same or different plants. By the treatments of emasculation, bagging and artificial pollination in this experiment, there were few but same fruit set ratios when the inflorescences were emasculated, bagged, or bagged with net, except artificial pollination treatments, which showed that Jatropha curcas could produce fruit through apomixis but not wind pollination. When the inflorescences were unbagged, unemasculated and with free pollination treatments, or bagged, emasculated and with artificial cross-pollination treatments, or unbagged, emasculated and with free pollination treatments, there were many fruits produced. It showed that Jatropha curcas shows outcrossing, is self-compatible, and demanding for pollinators. Normally, the male flowers open first and a few flowers bloom in one day in a raceme. These flowers last a long time in bloom. However, a large number of female flowers open from the third to the fifth day, with some female flowers opening first in a few raceme. This shows a tendency to promote xenogamy and minimize geitonogamy.
基金Project supported by"Tenth Five Years"Key Program of the State Science and Technology Commission in China(Grant Nos.2002BA901A15,2004BA411B01)
文摘Using degenerate primers and RT-PCR, RACE techniques, a 1491 bp cDNA segment of stearoyl-acyl carrier protein desaturase （SAD） is cloned from developing seeds of Jatropha curcas L. The segment contains a 1191 bp of complete open reading frame （ORF）. Analysis in the BLAST on NCBI shows that Jatropha curcas SAD （JSAD） gene encodes a protein precursor composed of a signal peptide of 33 amino acids and a mature peptide of 363 amino acids. The homological analysis shows that JSAD has high level of homology both in nucleotide sequence and in amino acid sequence to other plants SADs. The nucleotide and peptide identity of JSAD to Ricinus communis SAD （RSAD） is up to 89% and 96.2% respectively. Molecular modeling of JSAD indicates that its three-dimensional structure strongly resembled the crystal structure of RSAD.
文摘Oil was extracted from seeds of Jatropha Curcas,in high yields(up to 40% by weight).The extracted Jatropha oil was converted in a laboratory reactor to biodiesel by transesterification.Analysis of Jatropha oil and Jatropha biodiesel by GC/MS and GC/SIMDIS showed that Jatropha oil could be readily converted to a biodiesel product through NaOH catalyzed transesterification.The resulting biodiesel has desirable properties such as high cetane number and low flash point,which are major improvements over the properties of commercial biodiesel fuels.
