antibacterial drugs used in animal might result in deposition of residues in meat, milk and eggs. the presence of antimicrobial residues in animal-originated food is critical problem in many countries over the years. because, drug residues might result in various health hazards, both actual incidence of reactions and potential hazards perceived by the public, the most countries assess residue o...

Background: Genetically modified glyphosate-tolerant cultivar varieties have been a commercial success widely known as Roundup Ready plants. As new glyphosate-tolerant varieties are introduced to satisfy agriculture demand, it is relevant to review the scientific evidence that documents the quality and safety of such biotechnology. Assessments of genetically modified glyphosate-tolerant plants ...

Globe artichoke is one of the most intensively cultivated horticultural species in Mediterranean regions. In this context, sustainable agronomic management a requisite to increase soil carbon content, making cultivation system more resilient climate change. A 10-year experiment was considered forecast influence on C dynamic three globe managements: monoculture with dry crop residues incorporati...

A recent study evaluated the effects of compost salinity on the performance of plants often used in herbicide bioassays and demonstrated that salinity and pH of compost test media significantly influenced plant growth, leading in some cases to stunting, yieldreduction and total-loss of seedlings (Brinton, et al. 2005). The principal cause of harmful effects was shown to be salinity with seconda...

Glycosyl hydrolases hydrolyze the glycosidic bond either in carbohydrates or between carbohydrate and non-carbohydrate moiety. The beta-glucuronidase (beta D-glucuronoside glucuronosohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.31) enzyme belongs to the family-2 glycosyl hydrolase. The E. coli borne beta-glucuronidase gene (uidA) was devised as a gene fusion marker in plant genetic transformation experiments. Recent pl...

Orthodox seeds are capable of withstanding severe dehydration. However, in the dehydrated state, Asn and Asp residues in proteins can convert to succinimide residues that can further react to predominantly form isomerized isoAsp residues upon rehydration (imbibition). IsoAsp residues can impair protein function and can render seeds nonviable, but PROTEIN ISOASPARTYL METHYLTRANSFERASE (PIMT) can...

Despite conservation of three-dimensional structure and active-site residues, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco, EC 4.1.1.39) enzymes from divergent species differ with respect to catalytic efficiency and CO2/O2 specificity. A deeper understanding of the structural basis for these differences may provide a rationale for engineering an improved enzyme, thereby leading to a...

Carnivorous plants are known to secrete acid proteinases to digest prey, mainly insects, for nitrogen uptake. In the present study, we have purified, for the first time, to homogeneity two acid proteinases (nepenthesins I and II) from the pitcher fluid of Nepenthes distillatoria (a pitcher-plant known locally as badura) and investigated their enzymic and structural characteristics. Both enzymes...

Crop residues have been considered during the past decade as alternate energy sources to supplement dwindling fossil fuel sources and enhance energy independence in the United States. Agricultural scientists have demonstrated the importance of crop residues in reducing soil erosion, enhancing the soil physical environment for plant growth, and as a reserve for major crop nutrients. In eastern N...

Phosphopantetheinyl transferases (PPTases), which play an essential role in both primary and secondary metabolism, are magnesium binding enzymes. In this study, we characterized the magnesium binding residues of all known group II PPTases by biochemical and evolutionary analysis. Our results suggested that group II PPTases could be classified into two subgroups, two-magnesium-binding-residue-PP...