Influence of Boron on Carrot Cell Wall Structure and Its Resistance to Fracture

Abstract

Plant cell wall structure integrity and associated tissue mechanical properties is one of key determinants for the perceived texture of plant-based foods. Carrots (Daucus carota) were used to investigate the effect of mineral supply of boron (B) and/or calcium (Ca), during plant growth, on the plant cell wall structure and mechanical properties of matured root tissues. Five commercial cultivars of carrots, Kuroda (orange), Dragon Purple, Kuttiger White, Yellow, and Nutri-Red, were cultivated under controlled glasshouse conditions over two seasons. Significant increases in the accumulation of B and Ca were found for all cultivars of carrots when additional B and Ca were included in the nutrient feeding solutions throughout the plant growth period. Elevated levels of B in carrot root tissue reduced the uptake of Ca and other mineral nutrients and enhanced plant cell wall structural integrity, its resistance to fracture, and the weight and size (both diameter and length) of carrots. Although higher amounts of Ca were accumulated in the plant materials, the additional supply of Ca did not have a significant effect on the mechanical properties of mature plant tissues or on the uptake of B by the plant. The results suggest that B cross-linking of pectin (rhamnogalacturonan II) has a greater influence on mature tissue mechanical properties than Ca cross-linking of pectin (homogalacturonan) when supplied during plant growth.

Effect of variety, soil fertility status and agronomic treatments on carrot mineral and phytochemical composition and consumer liking of flavor traits

“…Potassium (K) does not have consistent impact on carrot yield or quality . Boron (B) has been associated with increased total and marketable yields, due in part to the stronger cell wall pectin cross‐linkages formed by B than calcium (Ca), imparting greater resistance to fracture . However, B has also been negatively associated with total phenolics, ascorbic acid, carotenoids and antioxidant activity in carrot, but when not supplied results in an accumulation of P, K and sodium (Na) .…”

MicroRNAs in Cardiac Hypertrophy

“…Similar to miR-1, miR-133a is a muscle-specific miRNA, which exerts an anti-hypertrophic effect through offsetting multi-targets involved in the calcium signaling, cell growth, and cell development pathways [52,53,54,55,56,57]. In this regard, miR-133a transfection reduced cardiac hypertrophy in vivo and in vitro by downregulating the mRNA and protein expression of calcineurin, a key player in intracellular Ca 2+ regulation [52].…”

“…In this regard, miR-133a transfection reduced cardiac hypertrophy in vivo and in vitro by downregulating the mRNA and protein expression of calcineurin, a key player in intracellular Ca 2+ regulation [52]. Moreover, miR-133a transfection blocked PE-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by downregulating the mRNA and protein levels of calcineurin downstream effector NFATC4 [53]. The anti-hypertrophic effect of miR-133a was further revealed in the TH-induced hypertrophy rat model.…”

Altitudinal Variation of Metabolites, Mineral Elements and Antioxidant Activities of Rhodiola crenulata (Hook.f. & Thomson) H.Ohba

“…Some studies have shown that they are closely related to the flavonoid composition and its content, the activities of antioxidant-related enzymes, and the cell wall synthesis in plants [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ]. It has been reported that the roles of the above seven mineral elements in plants facilitate plants against adversities [ 38 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 ].…”