Mucilage of Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) was extracted and characterized by its composition and molecular weight distribution. Mucilage film-forming dispersions were prepared under different pHs (3, 4, 5.6, 7, and 8) and calcium concentration (0% and 30% of CaCl(2), with respect to mucilage's weight), and their particle size determined. Mucilage films with and without calcium (MFCa and MF, respec...

UNLABELLED PREMISE OF THE STUDY Genetic studies of Cactaceae can at times be impeded by difficult sampling logistics and/or high mucilage content in tissues. Simplifying sampling and DNA isolation through the use of cactus spines has not previously been investigated. • METHODS AND RESULTS Several protocols for extracting DNA from spines were tested and modified to maximize yield, amplifica...

The structure of the maize (Zea mays L.) root cap was studied to quantitatively evaluate the relationship among the size of the cells, their endopolyploidy level, and the abundance of the sucrose synthase isozyme SUS1. Median longitudinal root cap sections were analysed using immunolocalization, quantitative DNA staining, and image cytometry. Both the immunolocalization signal for the SUS1 prot...

Seed oil, one of the major seed storage compounds in plants, is of great economic importance for human consumption, as an industrial raw material and as a source of biofuels. Thus, improving the seed oil yield in crops is an important objective. The GLABRA2 (GL2) gene in Arabidopsis thaliana encodes a transcription factor that is required for the proper differentiation of several epidermal cell...

The present work focuses on the proximate physical and chemical profile of Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage, mechanically extracted from cladodes, a waste pruning in traditional organic cactus pear orchards Italy (San Cono, Sicily). mechanical extraction increased mucilage yield to 30% dry weight. Physical characterization concerns pH, viscosity, free acidity density, useful for emulsifying capaci...

Interactions between cell wall polymers are critical for establishing cell wall integrity and cell-cell adhesion. Here, we exploit the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seed coat mucilage system to examine cell wall polymer interactions. On hydration, seeds release an adherent mucilage layer strongly attached to the seed in addition to a nonadherent layer that can be removed by gentle agitatio...

Imbibed seeds of the Arabidopsis thaliana accession Djarly are affected in mucilage release from seed coat epidermal cells. The impaired locus was identified as a pectin methylesterase inhibitor gene, PECTIN METHYLESTERASE INHIBITOR6 (PMEI6), specifically expressed in seed coat epidermal cells at the time when mucilage polysaccharides are accumulated. This spatio-temporal regulation appears to ...

Many sandy beach surf-zones support characteristic accumulations of diatom cells appearing as dark brown patches at the water surface. These diatoms become buoyant during the day, adhering to air bubbles generated by wave action. This, together with water circulation patterns generated by rip currents results in the accumulation of diatoms. By late afternoon the cells lose buoyancy and the accu...

The present investigation reports the isolation of mucilage from Manilkara zapota seeds as per AOAC guideline and evaluating it as mucoadhesive agent. Manilkara zapota (Linn.) P. Royen syn. a small tree belonging to family sapotaceae. Physiochemical characteristics of mucilage, such as swelling index, microbial count, viscosity, hydration capacity, flow property, and pH were studied. The mucila...

Seeds from the myxospermous species Plantago ovata release a polysaccharide-rich mucilage upon contact with water. This seed coat derived mucilage is composed predominantly of heteroxylan (HX) and is utilized as a gluten-free dietary fiber supplement to promote human colorectal health. In this study, a gamma-irradiated P. ovata population was generated and screened using histological stains and...