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ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters constitute one of the largest gene families in all living organisms, most of which mediate transport across biological membranes by hydrolyzing ATP. However, detailed studies of ABC transporter genes in the important oil crop, soybean, are still lacking. In the present study, we carried out genome-wide identification and phylogenetic and transcriptional analyses of the ABC gene family in G. max. A total of 261 G. max ABC (GmABCs) genes were identified and unevenly localized onto 20 chromosomes. Referring to protein-domain orientation and phylogeny, the GmABC family could be classified into eight (ABCA-ABCG and ABCI) subfamilies and ABCG were the most abundantly present. Further, investigation of whole genome duplication (WGD) signifies the role of segmental duplication in the expansion of the ABC transporter gene family in soybean. The Ka/Ks ratio indicates that several duplicated genes are governed by intense purifying selection during evolution. In addition, in silico expression analysis based on RNA-sequence using publicly available database revealed that ABC transporters are differentially expressed in tissues and developmental stages and in dehydration. Overall, we provide an extensive overview of the GmABC transporter gene family and it promises the primary basis for the study in development and response to dehydration tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to extract essential oil from an edible seaweed, Undaria pinnatifida, and determine its chemical constituents, antibacterial and antioxidant potential. Gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy analysis of the U. pinnatifida essential oil (UPEO) revealed 26 volatile compounds comprising a total of 97.03%. Fatty acids such as tetradecanoic acid (31.32%) and hexadecanoic acid (22.39%) were present in the highest amount, followed by 3-hexen-1-ol (5.67%), erythritol (4.73%), 4-imidazolidinone (4.40%) and (9Z)-hexadec-9-enoic acid (4.37%). UPEO displayed potent antibacterial activity (9.5-11.0 mm inhibition zone), an MIC of 12.5-25.0 mg/mL and an MBC of 25.0 mg/mL. UPEO also exhibited strong hydroxyl radical scavenging (IC50 85.54 µg/mL), reducing power (IC0.5 178.82 µg/mL) and superoxide radical scavenging (IC50 260.89 µg/mL) potential. Taken together, these results indicate that UPEO could be an economical and safe resource for natural antioxidant and antibacterial compounds that can be utilized in food processing, cosmetics and pharmaceutical sectors. Practical Applications Seaweeds are a rich source of natural bioactive compounds with various medicinal properties. The essential oils extracted from an edible seaweed, U. pinnatifida, could serve as an alternative source of natural antioxidant compounds with the potential for use as food additives and in food preservation and cosmetics. Use of this compound could minimize the use of synthetic antioxidant compounds that trigger health hazards. Furthermore, the bioactive compounds present in the UPEO could serve as a source of natural antibiotics against both Gram positive and Gram negative pathogenic bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to isolate the Eleutherococcus senticosus seed essential oil ( ESEO) by an efficient microwave extraction method and to determine its antioxidant efficacy as reducing power, lipid peroxidation inhibition, as well as its ability to scavenge free radicals followed by determination of total phenolic content. The gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis of ESEO revealed the presence of 21 different components representing 92.29% of the total oil. The ESEO evoked concentration-dependent reducing power and significant ferric ion-induced lipid peroxidation inhibition. The ESEO also showed significant antioxidant activity as inhibition of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, nitric oxide, superoxide and hydroxyl-free radicals by 71.72, 71.75, 72.87 and 72.36%, respectively. The ESEO yielded 6.02 ± 0.01 mg/g gallic acid equivalent total phenolic content. The present study provides evidence that the ESEO may be considered as a potential source of natural antioxidants. Practical Applications Free radicals play a very important role in food deterioration and disease progression. Plant-based essential oils have wide applications in food preservation, cosmetics and fragrance industry, mainly due to their wide margin of safety and broad range of antioxidant and other biological properties. In this study, the microwave-assisted seed essential oil from Eleutherococcus senticosus showed significant ( P < 0.05) antioxidant and radical-scavenging activities in various experimental models including inhibition of lipid peroxidation and phenolic content. These findings confirm that E. senticosus has potential to be developed into dietary supplements and nutraceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]