A large number of calmodulin-like (CML) proteins are present in plants, but there is little detailed information on the functions of these proteins in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Here, the CML3 protein from rice (OsCML3) and its truncated form lacking the C-terminal extension (OsCML3m) were found to exhibit a Ca 2+ -binding property and subsequent conformational change, but the ability to bind the CaM kinase II peptide was only observed for OsCML3m. Changes in their secondary structure upon Ca 2+ -binding measured by circular dichroism revealed that OsCML3m had a higher helical content than OsCML3. Moreover, OsCML3 was mainly localized in the plasma membrane, whereas OsCML3m was found in the nucleus. The rice high mobility group B1 (OsHMGB1) protein was identified as one of the putative OsCML3 target proteins. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation analysis revealed that OsHMGB1 bound OsCML3, OsCML3m or OsCML3s (cysteine to serine mutation at the prenylation site) in the nucleus presumably through the methionine and phenylalaninerich hydrophobic patches, confirming that OsHMGB1 is a target protein in planta. The effect of OsCML3 or OsCML3m on the DNA-binding ability of OsHMGB1 was measured using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. OsCML3m decreased the level of OsHMGB1 binding to pUC19 doublestranded DNA whereas OsCML3 did not. Taken together, OsCML3 probably provides a mechanism for manipulating the DNA-binding ability of OsHMGB1 in the nucleus and its C-terminal extension provides an intracellular Ca 2+ regulatory switch.

A recombinant Escherichia coli was engineered to produce the commercially important amino acid L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) using glycerol as the carbon source. Compared to the conventionally used glucose and sucrose, glycerol is a less expensive carbon source. As phenylalanine dehydrogenase (PheDH) activity is involved in the last step of L-Phe synthesis in E. coli, a phenylalanine dehydrogenase gene (phedh) from the thermotolerant Bacillus lentus was cloned into pRSFDuet-1 (pPheDH) and expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3). The resulting clone had a limited ability to produce L-Phe from glycerol, possibly because of a poor glycerol uptake by the cell, or an inability to excrete L-Phe, or both. Therefore, yddG gene encoding an aromatic amino acid exporter and glpF gene encoding a glycerol transport facilitator were coexpressed with the phedh in a reengineered E. coli. In a glycerol medium, the maximum L-Phe production rates of the clones pPY (phedh and yddG genes) and pPYF (phedh, yddG and glpF genes) were 1.4- and 1.8-fold higher than the maximum production rate of the pPheDH clone. The better producing pPYF clone was further evaluated in a 5 l stirred-tank fermenter (37 °C, an aeration rate of 1 vvm, an agitation speed of 400 rpm). In the fermenter, the maximum concentration of L-Phe (366 mg/l) was achieved in a much shorter period compared to in the shake flasks. In the latter, the highest titer of L-Phe was only 76 % of the maximum value attained in the fermenter.

Nowadays, consumers pay more attention to healthy food consumption. Consumption of crop sprout has been increasing in popularity. The crop sprouts provide higher nutritional value than seeds. Sunflower sprout is considered a favored sprout due to its rich nutrition and phytochemicals such as phenolic compounds, vitamins and various pigments, especially antioxidant activity substances, the important roles in human health care and disease prevention. This research aimed to investigate three sunflower cultivars to select the proper cultivar and its age period for harvesting to receive the highest antioxidant capacity. Three different sunflower cultivars (Helianthus annuus L. cvs. Jumbo, Pacific and Artuel), that consumers prefer in Thai market, were elucidated by four harvesting time: 5, 7, 9 and 14 days. The studies of growth, the amount of important substances in relation to antioxidants including total phenolic compound, chlorophyll, carotenoid and antioxidant capacity were carried out. The results revealed that within 14 days of cultivation, cv. Pacific sprout showed the highest growth rate,

Hom Thong banana flour (HTBF) contains the large amounts of the phenolic compounds and resistant starch (RS). The application of HTBF in food products improves their antioxidant activities and glycemic index (GI). The objective of research was to estimate the different ratios of spray dried ripe Hom Thong banana powder (SDRHTBP) to HTBF, 95:5 and 90:10 on the color, hardness, resistant starch (RS), non-resistant starch (Non-RS), and total starch (TS) contents and in vitro starch hydrolysis index (HI), estimated glycemic index determination (EGI), total phenolic content (TPC), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and chelating ability on Fe2+ of Hom Thong banana tablets (HTBT). When increased substitution ratios of HTBF, the L*, a*, and b* values and the hardness value, HI, and EGI of HTBT decreased; whereas, the TPC, chelating ability on Fe2+ assay, TEAC, and RS content increased. Obviously, the higher substitution ratios of HTBF were related to those parameters. Using PCA, the correlation among these parameters clearly revealed which TPC and RS contents were good indicators for Non-RS content, HI, EGI, chelating ability on Fe2+ assay, TEAC, L*, a*, b*, and hardness. Eventually, the HTBF substitution can be an alternative way to help reducing a sugar level used in the confectionery production and to get a novel confectionary with health benefits.

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