Browsing by Subject "Pigments"

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    Drying behavior and effect of drying temperatures on cyanide, bioactive compounds, and quality of dried cassava leaves
    (2025) Chaiareekitwat, Sawittree; Nagle, Marcus; Mahayothee, Busarakorn; Khuwijitjaru, Pramote; Rungpichayapichet, Parika; Latif, Sajid; Müller, Joachim; Medana, Claudio
    In this study, the drying behavior and quality of the dried leaves of cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) of the ‘Rayong 5’ cultivar from Thailand were investigated. An increase in the drying temperature resulted in an increased drying rate and a reduction in drying time. The Page model provided the best fit for describing the drying characteristics of cassava leaves, with the entire drying process occurring in the falling rate period. The results showed that cyanide content was sensitive to high temperatures, with drying at 80 °C being the most effective method for toxin elimination. Prolonged drying periods lead to the degradation of vitamin C. Drying cassava leaves at 50–80 °C did not significantly affect β–carotene levels. However, lutein, chlorophyll– a , and chlorophyll– b were reduced after drying. The drying processes did not change the crude proteins content but increased the levels of histidine, alanine, and aspartic acid. In this study, high-temperature, short-time drying was identified as the optimal condition for detoxification, maintaining nutrients, and preserving the color of dried cassava leaves.
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    Silicon seed priming combined with foliar spray of sulfur regulates photosynthetic and antioxidant systems to confer drought tolerance in maize (Zea mays L.)
    (2021) Farman, Muhammad; Nawaz, Fahim; Majeed, Sadia; Javeed, Hafiz Muhammad Rashad; Ahsan, Muhammad; Ahmad, Khawaja Shafique; Aurangzaib, Muhammad; Bukhari, Muhammad Adnan; Shehzad, Muhammad Asif; Hussain, Muhammad Baqir
    The present study evaluated the effect of silicon (Si) seed priming and sulfur (S) foliar spray on drought tolerance of two contrasting maize hybrids viz. drought tolerant Hi-Corn 11 and susceptible P-1574. The maize seeds were primed with (3 mM Na2SiO3) or without Si (hydropriming) and later sown in pots filled with sandy loam soil. Drought stress (25–30% water holding capacity or WHC) was initiated at cob development stage (V5) for two weeks, whereas the well-watered plants were grown at 65–70% WHC. On appearance of drought symptoms, foliar spray of S was done using 0.5% and 1.0% (NH4)2SO4, whereas water spray was used as a control. The drought-stressed plants were grown for further two weeks at 25–30% WHC before the final harvest. The results showed a marked effect of Si seed priming and foliar S spray on biomass, physiological and enzymatic processes as well as macronutrient concentrations of maize. In comparison to control, the highest increase in leaf relative water content (25%), chlorophyll a content (56%), carotenoids (26%), photosynthetic rate (64%), stomatal conductance (56%) and intercellular CO2 concentration (48%) was observed by Si seed priming + S foliar spray (Si + S) under water deficit conditions. Also, Si + S application stimulated the activity of catalase (45%), guaiacol peroxidase (38%) and superoxide dismutase (55%), and improved NPK concentrations (40–63%) under water limitations. Our results suggest that Si seed priming + foliar spray of S is more effective than the individual application of these nutrients to enhance drought tolerance in maize.