The aim of this study was to construct Chlorella mutants deficient in chlorophyll synthesis by atmospheric pressure room temperature plasma (ARTP) mutagenesis, and screen novel algal species with very low chlorophyll content which is suitable for protein production by fermentation. Firstly, the lethal rate curve of mixotrophic wild type cells was established by optimizing the mutagenesis treatment time. The mixotrophic cells in early exponential phase were treated by the condition of over 95% lethal rate, and 4 mutants with the visual change of colony color were isolated. Subsequently, the mutants were cultured in shaking flasks heterotrophically for evaluation of their protein production performance. P. ks 4 mutant showed the best performance in Basal medium containing 30 g/L glucose and 5 g/L NaNO₃. The protein content and productivity reached 39.25% dry weight and 1.15 g/(L·d), with an amino acid score of 101.34. The chlorophyll a content decreased 98.78%, whereas chlorophyll b was not detected, and 0.62 mg/g of lutein content made the algal biomass appear golden yellow. This work provides a novel germplasm, the mutant P. ks 4 with high yield and high quality, for alternative protein production by microalgal fermentation.
Chlorella/metabolism* ; Chlorophyll A/metabolism* ; Plant Breeding ; Mutagenesis ; Chlorophyll/metabolism* ; Biomass ; Microalgae

To study the growth effects of differing concentrations of artemisinin on green algae and to evaluate the ecological risk. The effects of artemisinin on the growth and the content change of chlorophyll, protein, oxygen, conductivity, SOD, CAT, MDA in Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Scenedesmus oblique were studied through 96 h toxicity tests. Artemisinin accelerated the growth of algae at a lower concentration ( <40 microg . L-1) with content increase of chlorophyll or protein and so on, and it inhibited the growth of algae at higher concentration ( >80 microg . L-1). The content of chlorophyll or protein in algae cells reduced with the increasing concentration of artemisinin, exhibiting the good concentration-effect relationship. SOD and CAT activity was stimulated at low concentrations ( <40 microg . L-1 ) and inhibited at high concentrations ( >80 microg . L- 1). However, MDA content increased significantly with the increase of concentration. According to the seven kinds of indicators changes, the time-response and dose-response suggested that the surfactant first hurt in Ch. pyrenoidosa was damaging membrane by changing membrane lipid molecules soluble. And primary mechanism on Chlorophyta cells might be related to the oxidation damage of lipid and other biological large molecules caused by artemisinin. The large-scale intensive planting of Artemisia annua may reduce the surrounding water productivity.
Artemisinins ; pharmacology ; Chlorophyll ; metabolism ; Chlorophyta ; drug effects ; metabolism

It is important to research the rules about accumulation and distribution of arsenic and cadmium by tea plants, which will give us some scientific ideas about how to control the contents of arsenic and cadmium in tea. In this study, by field investigation and pot trial, we found that mobility of arsenic and cadmium in tea plants was low. Most arsenic and cadmium absorbed were fixed in feeding roots and only small amount was transported to the above-ground parts. Distribution of arsenic and cadmium, based on their concentrations of unit dry matter, in tea plants grown on un-contaminated soil was in the order: feeding roots>stems approximately main roots>old leaves>young leaves. When tea plants were grown on polluted soils simulated by adding salts of these two metals, feeding roots possibly acted as a buffer and defense, and arsenic and cadmium were transported less to the above-ground parts. The concentration of cadmium in soil significantly and negatively correlated with chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and biomass production of tea plants.
Arsenic ; metabolism ; Biomass ; Cadmium ; metabolism ; Camellia sinensis ; metabolism ; Chlorophyll ; metabolism ; Photochemistry ; Plant Shoots ; metabolism ; Tea ; metabolism

To explore the mechanism of tea albino variation and high theanine formation, 'Fuyun 6' and a new theanine-rich tea cultivar 'Fuhuang 2' were as materials in this study, pigment content, metabolome and transcriptome of the two cultivars were analyzed by ultramicroelectron microscopy, widely targeted metabolomics, targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics. The results showed that five catechins, theobromine, caffeine, and 20 free amino acids, including theanine, glutamine, arginine, etc., were identified by targeted metabolomics. The amino acid content of 'Fuhuang 2' was significantly higher than that of 'Fuyun 6', and the theanine content was as high as 57.37 mg/g in 'Fuhuang 2'. The ultrastructure of leaves showed that the chloroplast cell structure of 'Fuhuang 2' was fuzzy, most of the grana lamellae were arranged in disorder, with large gaps, and the thylakoids were filiform. The determination of pigments showed that compared with 'Fuyun 6', the contents of chlorophyll A and B, carotenoids, flavonoids and other pigments of 'Fuhuang 2' decreased significantly, some important pigment-related-genes, such as chlorophyllase (CLH), 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED), flavonoid 3β-hydroxylase (F3H) and flavonoid 3', 5'-hydroxylase (F3'5'H) were significantly changed. Compared with 'Fuyun 6', 'Fuhuang 2' identified 138 significantly changed metabolites (SCMs) and 658 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). KEGG enrichment analysis showed that SCMs and DEGs were significantly enriched in amino acid biosynthesis, glutathione metabolism and TCA cycle. In general, the albino phenotype of 'Fuhuang 2' may be caused by a deficiency in photosynthetic proteins, chlorophyll metabolism genes and chlorophyll content. The accumulation of high theanine in 'Fuhuang 2' may be due to the low nitrogen consumption in yellowed leaves and the lack of carbon skeleton, amino and nitrogen resources are stored more effectively, resulting in the up regulation of metabolites and related gene expression in the amino acid synthesis pathway, theanine has become a significant accumulation of nitrogen-containing compounds in yellowed leaves.
Camellia sinensis/genetics* ; Chlorophyll A/metabolism* ; Plant Proteins/genetics* ; Plant Leaves/chemistry* ; Chlorophyll/metabolism* ; Transcriptome ; Flavonoids/metabolism* ; Amino Acids/genetics* ; Tea ; Mixed Function Oxygenases/metabolism* ; Nitrogen/metabolism*

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of shading on photosynthetic physiology and chlorophyll fluorescence of Pinellia ternata.

METHODPlant growth, chlorophyll content, net photosynthetic rate (P(n)) and chlorophyll fluorescence in P. ternata were investigated under different shading treatments (0%, 70% and 90%) when it grew about 15 cm high.

RESULTThe results showed that fresh weight of a tuber, height, leaf length, width, leaf area, specific leaf area (SLA) and contents of chlorophyll content were enhanced after shaded, and chlorophyll a/b rate declined. Compared with control, net photosynthetic rate, light compensation point (LCP) and light saturation point (LSP) of P. ternata decreased after shading, but apparent quantum yield (AQY) increased; quantum yield of PS II (PhiPS II), minimal fluorescence (F(o)), maximal fluorescence (F(m)), intrinsic photochemical efficiency of PS II (F(v)/F(m)) and photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) were enhanced.

CONCLUSIONCompared with control, all data indicated that there were distinctive differences between the height, SLA, chlorophyll content, P(n) and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics under the shading treatments (70% and 90%), the fresh weight of a tuber increased after 70% shading, and provided better environmental conditions for the growth of P. ternata.

Chlorophyll ; metabolism ; Light ; Photosynthesis ; drug effects ; Pinellia ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Plant Leaves ; metabolism ; radiation effects

In this study, the effect of brassinosteroid(BR) on the physiological and biochemical conditions of 2-year-old Panax notoginseng under the cadmium stress was investigated by the pot experiments. The results showed that cadmium treatment at 10 mg·kg~(-1) inhibited the root viability of P. notoginseng, significantly increased the content of H_2O_2 and MDA in the leaves and roots of P. noto-ginseng, caused oxidative damage of P. notoginseng, and reduced the activities of SOD and CAT. Cadmium stress reduced the chlorophyll content of P. notoginseng, increased leaf F_o, reduced F_m, F_v/F_m, and PIABS, and damaged the photosynthesis system of P. notoginseng. Cadmium treatment increased the soluble sugar content of P. notoginseng leaves and roots, inhibited the synthesis of soluble proteins, reduced the fresh weight and dry weight, and inhibited the growth of P. notoginseng. External spray application of 0.1 mg·L~(-1) BR reduced the H_2O_2 and MDA content in P. notoginseng leaves and roots under the cadmium stress, alleviated cadmium-induced oxidative damage to P. notoginseng, improved the antioxidant enzyme activity and root activity of P. notoginseng, increased the content of chlorophyll, reduced the F_o of P. notoginseng leaves, increased F_m, F_v/F_m, and PIABS, alleviated the cadmium-induced damage to the photosynthesis system, and improved the synthesis ability of soluble proteins. In summary, BR can enhance the anti-cadmium stress ability of P. notoginseng by regulating the antioxidant enzyme system and photosynthesis system of P. notoginseng under the cadmium stress. In the context of 0.1 mg·L~(-1) BR, P. notoginseng can better absorb and utilize light energy and synthesize more nutrients, which is more suitable for the growth and development of P. notoginseng.
Cadmium/metabolism* ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Panax notoginseng ; Brassinosteroids/pharmacology* ; Chlorophyll/metabolism* ; Plant Roots/metabolism* ; Stress, Physiological

Light is the main source for plants to obtain energy.Asarum forbesii is a typical shade medicinal plant, which generally grows in the shady and wet place under the bushes or beside the ditches.It can grow and develop without too much light intensity.This experiment explores the effects of shading on the growth, physiological characteristics and energy metabolism of A.forbesii, which can provide reference and guidance for its artificial planting.In this experiment, A.forbesii was planted under 80%, 60%, 40%, 20% and no shade.During the vigorous growth period, the photosynthetic physiological characteristics such as fluorescence parameters, photosynthetic parameters, photosynthetic pigment content and ultrastructure, as well as the content of mitochondrial electron transport chain(ETC) synthase and nutrients were measured.The results showed that the photosynthetic pigment content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and net photosynthesis rate(P_n) decreased with the decrease of shading.Under 20%-40% shading treatment, the plants had damaged ultrastructure, expanded and disintegrated chloroplast, disordered stroma lamella and grana lamella, and increased osmiophi-lic granules and starch granules.The activities of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase(NADH), succinate dehydrogenase(SDH), cytochrome C oxidoreductase(CCO) and adenosine triphosphate(ATP) synthasewere positively related to light intensity.With the reduction of shading, the content of total sugar and protein in nutrients increased first and then decreased, and the content was the highest under 60% shade.In conclusion, under 60%-80% shading treatment, the chloroplast and mitochondria had more complete structure, faster energy metabolism, higher light energy-conversion efficiency, better absorption and utilization of light energy and more nutrient synthesis, which was more suitable for the growth and development of A.forbesii.
Asarum ; Chlorophyll/metabolism* ; Chloroplasts ; Energy Metabolism ; Photosynthesis/physiology* ; Plant Leaves/metabolism*

Phytoremediation plays an important role in the treatment of heavy metal pollution in soil. In order to elucidate the mechanism of salicylic acid (SA) on copper absorption, seedlings from Xuzhou (with strong Cu-tolerance) and Weifang Helianthus tuberosus cultivars (with weak Cu-tolerance) were selected for pot culture experiments. 1 mmol/L SA was sprayed upon 300 mg/kg soil copper stress, and the photosynthesis, leaf antioxidant system, several essential mineral nutrients and the changes of root upon copper stress were analyzed to explore the mechanism of copper resistance. The results showed that Pn, Tr, Gs and Ci upon copper stress decreased significantly compared to the control group. Meanwhile, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid decreased with significant increase in initial fluorescence (F₀), maximum photochemical quantum yield of PSⅡ (Fv/Fm), electron transfer rate (ETR) and photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) content all decreased. The ascorbic acid (AsA) content was decreased, the glutathione (GSH) value was increased, the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity in the leaves were decreased, and the peroxidase (POD) activity was significantly increased. SA increased the Cu content in the ground and root system, and weakened the nutrient uptake capacity of K, Ca, Mg, and Zn in the root stem and leaves. Spray of exogenous SA can maintain the opening of leaf stomata, improve the adverse effect of copper on photosynthetic pigment and PSⅡ reaction center. Mediating the SOD and APX activity started the AsA-GSH cycle process, effectively regulated the antioxidant enzyme system in chrysanthemum taro, significantly reduced the copper content of all parts of the plant, and improved the ion exchange capacity in the body. External SA increased the content of the negative electric group on the root by changing the proportion of components in the root, promoted the absorption of mineral nutrient elements and the accumulation of osmoregulatory substances, strengthened the fixation effect of the root on metal copper, and avoided its massive accumulation in the H. tuberosus body, so as to alleviate the inhibitory effect of copper on plant growth. The study revealed the physiological regulation of SA upon copper stress, and provided a theoretical basis for planting H. tuberosus to repair soil copper pollution.
Antioxidants ; Copper ; Helianthus/metabolism* ; Salicylic Acid/pharmacology* ; Chlorophyll A/pharmacology* ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Chlorophyll/pharmacology* ; Ascorbic Acid ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism* ; Photosynthesis ; Glutathione ; Plant Leaves ; Stress, Physiological ; Seedlings

OBJECTIVETo study the change of photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics of Pinellia ternata around sprout tumble.

METHODTubers of P. ternata were cultured firstly at (25 +/- 1) degrees C for certain days, and then they were coerced under 37 degrees C stress in the same artificial climate boxes. The chlorophyll contents, photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence during different stages of high temperature stress were measured.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONAfter under high temperature stress, the chlorophyll contents, the ratio of chlorophyll a/b, photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), maximum fluorescence (Fm), quantum yield of PS II (phi (PS II)), intrinsic photochemical efficiency of PS II (Fv/Fm) and the chlorophyll photochemical quenching (qP) decreased, but the intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci), minimal fluorescence (F0), the chlorophyll nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) increased.

Chlorophyll ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Fluorescence ; Hot Temperature ; Photosynthesis ; Pinellia ; chemistry ; physiology ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Stress, Physiological

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of S-3307 spraying time and density on photosynthetic characteristic of Ligusticum chuanxiong.

METHODThe photosynthetic characteristic of L. chuanxiong under different S-3307 spraying time and density was studied by plot cultivation experiment.

RESULTThe content of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b in leaf increased when the spraying density was 20, 40, 80 mg x L(-1), while the net photosynthetic rate was the maximum. When the spraying density was 160 mg x L(-1), the content of chlorophyll a and chlorophyll as well as net photosynthetic rate were not increased.

CONCLUSIONS-3307 spraying can raise the photosynthetic capacity of L. chuanxiong and promote the form of assimilation products.

Chlorophyll ; metabolism ; Ligusticum ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Photosynthesis ; drug effects ; Plant Growth Regulators ; pharmacology