Newest publications
Complex coacervation and precipitation between soluble pea proteins and apple pectin
(2022) Salminen, Hanna; Sachs, Melody; Schmitt, Christophe; Weiss, Jochen
Complex formation (leading to either coacervation or precipitation) offers a tool to generate plant-based novel food structures and textures. This study investigated the formation of complexes between soluble pea proteins and apple pectin upon varying the protein-to-pectin ratio ( r = 2:1 to 10:1), pH (3–7), and temperature (25 and 85 °C) with a total biopolymer concentration set to 1% (w/w). The results showed that predominantly soluble biopolymer complexes were formed at pH 5, and at low ratio ( r = 2:1), whereas lowering the pH to more acidic condition, and to higher ratios ( r = 4:1–10:1) induced the formation of more insoluble biopolymer complexes. In general, the mean particle sizes of the biopolymer complexes ranged between approximately 20 and 100 μm. Upon heating to 85 °C, the amount of insoluble biopolymer complexes increased at pH 3–5 at all ratios, except at r = 2:1. In addition, the complex sizes became somewhat larger at r = 2:1 to 6:1 upon heat treatment, whereas only trivial size changes were observed at higher ratios ( r = 8:1 to 10:1). Overall, electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions played a major role in the complex formation between the soluble pea proteins and apple pectin. These findings are important for designing solely plant-based food structures.
Physico-chemical properties of maize (Zea mays L.) mucilage differ with the collection system and corresponding root type and developmental stage of the plant
(2022) Werner, Lena M.; Knott, Matthilde; Diehl, Doerte; Ahmed, Mutez A.; Banfield, Callum; Dippold, Michi; Vetterlein, Doris; Wimmer, Monika A.
Purpose: Mucilage plays crucial roles in root-soil interactions. Collection systems for maize (Zea mays L.) use primary and seminal roots of aeroponically-grown seedlings (CSA), or brace roots of soil-grown plants (CSB). While each method represents specific plant developmental stages, and root types growing in specific (micro-)environments, these factors are rarely considered. It is unclear whether mucilage exhibits distinct physico-chemical properties related to collection system-inherent factors. Methods: Mucilage of maize genotype B73 was collected from systems CSA and CSB. Chemical composition was assessed by pH, nutrient contents, neutral sugar composition, and polysaccharide polymer length. Viscosity, surface tension and contact angle represented physical properties. Results: The share of hexoses among total polysaccharides was 11% higher in CSB than in CSA, whereas pentoses were predominant in CSA, together with higher nutrient concentrations and pH values. Mannose was detected only in CSB, which also exhibited higher surface tension, viscosity and contact angle compared to CSA. Conclusions: Physico-chemical differences between the two mucilages are related to root type functions, environmental root growth conditions, and plant developmental state. Higher fractions of pentoses in CSA mucilage seem related to semi-sterile system conditions. Higher viscosity of CSB mucilage might reflect the need for enhanced water holding capacity of brace roots growing in drier conditions. A strong influence of environmental factors on mucilage properties even for a single genotype might play additional roles e.g. in the attraction of microbiomes. These aspects are relevant when assessing the role of mucilage in the rhizosphere, or when developing models of rhizosphere processes.
Rapid transformation of traditional beekeeping and colony marketing erode genetic differentiation in Apis mellifera simensis, Ethiopia
(2022) Hailu, Teweldemedhn Gebretinsae; Rosenkranz, Peter; Hasselmann, Martin
Subsistent beekeeping has been an established tradition in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. In the last two decades, extension efforts tried to transform it into improved apiculture, which led to development of colony marketing. Here, we assessed the progress in beekeeping, colony marketing, and population differentiation with a hypothesis that the extension might have supported both production and genetic conservation in accordance with the national apiculture proclamation. Progress in beekeeping was analyzed based on official annual reports from 2004 to 2020. In addition, colony market survey was conducted in one of the central markets to analyze spatial and agro-ecological zone (AEZ) distributions of the honey bees, driving factors, and implications by interviewing 120 sellers and buyers. Moreover, highland and lowland honey bee population differentiation was compared in two areas (not-) involved in marketing using a nuclear marker known for elevational adaptation. The regional beekeeping progressed substantially: frame hives grew from 1 to 23%, annual honey production tripled, managed colonies increased by 90%. Frame hives provided significantly (F = 88.8, P < 0.001) higher honey yield than local hives. Colonies were exchanged between actors with significant differences in spatial (X2 = 104.56, P < 0.01) and AEZ (X2 = 6.27, P = 0.044) distributions. Colonies originate mainly from highland areas of two districts and were re-distributed to broader areas. Most buyers showed preferences for colony color (73.3%) and AEZ of origin (88.3%), which led to a one-way flow. Consequently, no genetic differentiation was detected between two contrasting elevations in the involving district compared to a not involving area (FST = 0.22). Overall, the regional apiculture progressed significantly, but there is no evidence that the extension contributed to conservation.
Combining spring wheat genotypes with contrasting root architectures modifies plant–microbe interactions under different water regimes
(2025) Lattacher, Adrian; Le Gall, Samuel; Rothfuss, Youri; Harings, Moritz; Armbruster, Wolfgang; van Dusschoten, Dagmar; Pflugfelder, Daniel; Alahmad, Samir; Hickey, Lee T.; Kandeler, Ellen; Poll, Christian; Lattacher, Adrian; Soil Biology Department, Institute of Soil Science and Land Evaluation, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany; Le Gall, Samuel; Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428, Jülich, Germany; Rothfuss, Youri; Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428, Jülich, Germany; Harings, Moritz; Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Agrosphere (IBG-3), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428, Jülich, Germany; Armbruster, Wolfgang; Department of Food Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Food and Chemistry, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany; van Dusschoten, Dagmar; Institute of Bio- and Geoscience, Plant Sciences (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428, Jülich, Germany; Pflugfelder, Daniel; Institute of Bio- and Geoscience, Plant Sciences (IBG-2), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428, Jülich, Germany; Alahmad, Samir; Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, 4072, St Lucia, QLD, Australia; Hickey, Lee T.; Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, 4072, St Lucia, QLD, Australia; Kandeler, Ellen; Soil Biology Department, Institute of Soil Science and Land Evaluation, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany; Poll, Christian; Soil Biology Department, Institute of Soil Science and Land Evaluation, University of Hohenheim, 70599, Stuttgart, Germany
Background and Aims: Improving agricultural tolerance to climate change is crucial for food security. We investigated whether combining wheat genotypes with contrasting root architecture enhances plant performance under varying conditions. Specifically, we examined how these genotype mixtures affect nitrogen uptake, carbon release and root-microbe interactions compared to single-genotype plantings.
Methods: We exposed monocultures and a mixture of shallow- and deep-rooting spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes separately to well-watered and water-deficit conditions in a column experiment. We determined plant and microbial biomass, major microbial groups, and β-glucosidase activity using soil zymography. Additionally, we followed carbon and nitrogen fluxes in the plant-soil-microorganism system by 13CO2 labelling of the atmosphere and 15N injection into top- and subsoil.
Results: Combining wheat genotypes with contrasting root phenotypes influenced microbial activity and nutrient uptake depending on water availability. Under well-watered conditions, the mixture performed similarly to the respective monocultures. However, under water-deficit conditions, it exhibited complementary nutrient acquisition strategies where the deep-rooting genotype accessed deeper soil layers, while the shallow-rooting genotype relied more on topsoil nitrogen. This was accompanied by a reduced release of plant-derived carbon into the soil, resulting in lower microbial abundance and reduced β-glucosidase activity compared to monocultures.
Conclusion: Our results show that plants grown in a mixture performed similarly to monocultures under well-watered conditions while acquiring nutrients more efficiently under water-deficit conditions. This highlights the potential suitability of combining genotypes with contrasting root phenotypes under climate change. However, yield effects remained untested due to experimental constraints, warranting further investigation under field conditions.
Boosting multi-professional collaboration in palliative care through digital technologies: an action design research study
(2024) Wöhl, Moritz; Gimpel, Henner; Meindl, Oliver; Ostgathe, Christoph; Peuten, Sarah; Schneider, Werner; Steigleder, Tobias; Wöhl, Moritz; FIM Research Center for Information Management, Augsburg, Germany; Gimpel, Henner; FIM Research Center for Information Management, Augsburg, Germany; Meindl, Oliver; FIM Research Center for Information Management, Augsburg, Germany; Ostgathe, Christoph; Palliativmedizinische Abteilung, Comprehensive Cancer Center CCC Erlangen-EMN, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany; Peuten, Sarah; Chair of Sociology, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany; Schneider, Werner; Chair of Sociology, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany; Steigleder, Tobias; Palliativmedizinische Abteilung, Comprehensive Cancer Center CCC Erlangen-EMN, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
The success of palliative care requires collaboration among multiple professions within a sensibly digitized work system. The diverse perspectives and expertise of team members inform their collective endeavor, often leading to differing interpretations and priorities in patient care. This diversity necessitates a continual exchange of knowledge and information. Current technologies, including the hospital information system, do not foster such collaboration, particularly in palliative care. This study explores digital enhancements that can promote multi-professional collaboration (MPC). The authors employed action design research and used a work system theory lense to examine the palliative care work systems in two hospital wards in Germany. Through extensive on-site observations and interventions with practitioners, the study identified challenges that arose during MPC. This paper presents the proposed organizational and technical solutions. The paper provides design principles and guidelines for a collaboration support system to maximize MPC. Theoretical contributions include insights into the challenges of MPC and design knowledge about collaboration support. This work can inform practitioners about common challenges and offers potential solutions and guidance for implementing a collaboration support system.