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Tiller number and effective panicle number are important factors affecting rice yield. In this study, the sequencing data of 331 rice varieties were used to carry out genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of these two factors. A total of 58 candidate genes related to tiller number were identified, and their functions involved energy metabolism and cytoplasmic membrane metabolism pathways. There were 19 candidate genes related to effective panicle number, whose functions involved energy metabolism, cytoplasmic membrane metabolism and signal transduction pathways. A new QTL 'qTNP12', which controls both tiller number and effective panicle number, was identified on chromosome 12. There was specific variation in the 275th amino acid in the coding frame of the candidate gene. Indica rice with multiple tillers had histidine variation, while japonica rice with few tillers and Oryza rufipogon had arginine variation. Evolutionary analysis showed that the multi‐tiller trait of indica rice was developed through artificial selection and domestication. The results of this study provide a foundation for further clarifying the molecular mechanism of qTPN12 regulating tiller and effective panicle, as well as improving rice architecture through molecular marker‐assisted selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the ongoing arms race between rice and Magnaporthe oryzae, the pathogen employs effectors to evade the immune response, while the host develops resistance genes to recognise these effectors and confer resistance. In this study, we identified a novel Pik allele, Pik‐W25, from wild rice WR25 through bulked‐segregant analysis, creating the Pik‐W25 NIL (Near‐isogenic Lines) named G9. Pik‐W25 conferred resistance to isolates expressing AvrPik‐C/D/E alleles. CRISPR‐Cas9 editing was used to generate transgenic lines with a loss of function in Pik‐W25‐1 and Pik‐W25‐2, resulting in loss of resistance in G9 to isolates expressing the three alleles, confirming that Pik‐W25‐induced immunity required both Pik‐W25‐1 and Pik‐W25‐2. Yeast two‐hybrid (Y2H) and split luciferase complementation assays showed interactions between Pik‐W25‐1 and the three alleles, while Pik‐W25‐2 could not interact with AvrPik‐C, ‐D, and ‐E alleles with Y2H assay, indicating Pik‐W25‐1 acts as an adaptor and Pik‐W25‐2 transduces the signal to trigger resistance. The Pik‐W25 NIL exhibited enhanced field resistance to leaf and panicle blast without significant changes in morphology or development compared to the parent variety CO39, suggesting its potential for resistance breeding. These findings advance our knowledge of rice blast resistance mechanisms and offer valuable resources for effective and sustainable control strategies. Summary statement: We employed BSA‐seq to identify a novel Pik allele, Pik‐W25, from the wild rice WR25. Pik‐W25 can recognise AvrPik‐C, ‐D, or ‐E alleles and trigger resistance. Notably, the Pik‐W25 NIL showed enhanced field resistance to leaf and panicle blast without significant morphological or developmental differences. These findings advance our knowledge of rice blast resistance mechanisms and offer valuable resources for effective and sustainable rice blast control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Advent of changing climatic conditions along with nutrient deficient soils adversely affects the environment for the rice production. Wild introgression lines derived from KMR3 and Oryza rufipogon population were evaluated in six environments, including optimum and low phosphorus stress condition. Significant differences among the introgression lines were observed for plant height, tiller number, biomass, grain yield per plant, days to 50% flowering and harvest index across the environments. Based on grain yield observed under optimum phosphorus and limited phosphorus (P stress condition), eight stress tolerance indices were calculated and found STI and GMP are the better indices to discriminate among tolerant and susceptible genotypes, and correlation studies also confirmed the significant association between STI and GMP. Cluster analysis based on stress tolerance indices revealed three different clusters distinguishing genotypes based on their stable performance on yield related traits. AMMI and GGE biplot analysis to identify the stable performance across environments revealed NSR60, NSR101, NSR105, NSR85 and NSR86 as high grain yielders, whereas NSR135, NSR5 and NSR88 as stable performers. WAASBY‐based stability analysis on multiple traits (MTSI) showed NSR135, NSR79 and NSR18 with lowest MTSI, indicating their high stability and high mean performance compared with parent KMR3. Further genotyping for low P tolerance gene (PSTOL1) and grain yield genes (Gn1a, SPIKE, TGW6, DEP1 and OsSPL14) using allele specific markers showed that the desirable alleles of SPIKE, Gn1a and TGW6 were derived from wild parent O. rufipogon. Low P tolerance allele PSTOL1 was absent in recurrent parent KMR3; however, the introgression lines harboured desirable alleles, which were derived from O. rufipogon. Further mapping studies will help to identify a significant potential QTLs/gene for low P tolerance from O. rufipogon. Wild introgression lines, NSR85, NSR124, NSR80, NSR54, NSR86 and NSR88, were found as the high yielding and nutrient stress tolerant genotypes, which can be used as potential donors in future breeding programmes for low P stress tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT One new monacolin analog, monacolin V (1), together with two new monacolin‐like natural products, 6‐hydroxyl monacolin P (2) and 3‐keto monacolin S (3), were isolated from the ethyl acetate portion of red yeast rice ethanol extract. Their structures were identified by HRESIMS and NMR experiments, and the complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR data for three compounds were obtained by the aid of HSQC, HMBC, 1H‐1H COSY, and NOESY data. This is the first time that the NMR data of compounds 2 and 3 have been fully assigned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Soil salinity has negative impacts on food security and sustainable agriculture. Ion homeostasis, osmotic adjustment and reactive oxygen species scavenging are the main approaches utilized by rice to resist salt stress. Breeding rice cultivars with high salt tolerance (ST) and yield is a significant challenge due to the lack of elite alleles conferring ST. Here, we report that the elite allele LEA12OR, which encodes a late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) protein from the wild rice Oryza rufipogon Griff., improves osmotic adjustment and increases yield under salt stress. Mechanistically, LEA12OR, as the early regulator of the LEA12OR‐OsSAPK10‐OsbZIP86‐OsNCED3 functional module, maintains the kinase stability of OsSAPK10 under salt stress, thereby conferring ST by promoting abscisic acid biosynthesis and accumulation in rice. The superior allele LEA12OR provides a new avenue for improving ST and yield via the application of LEA12OR in current rice through molecular breeding and genome editing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study blended five types of beans—florid kidney bean, red adzuki bean, chickpea, black bean, and white kidney bean—with glutinous rice flour (GRF) to create a synergistic heat–moisture treatment (HMT). We investigated the effects of this combination on the digestibility of the glutinous rice mixture and the quality of sweet dumplings. The inclusion of beans, along with HMT, altered the granular morphology, adhesive qualities, thermal characteristics, crystallinity, and protein secondary structure of the blended powders compared to GRF. Notably, the starch granules in the glutinous rice flour with red adzuki bean (R‐GRF) were more complete in morphology, compact in structure, and exhibited higher heat stabilization and crystallinity, with significant changes in protein secondary structure. These modifications resulted in a low expected glycemic index (eGI) value of 52.01. Additionally, the quality assessment of the fast‐frozen sweet dumplings showed that those made with red adzuki bean mixed with glutinous rice flour (R‐SD) had superior texture, reduced cracking, and less water loss compared to those made with GRF (G‐SD), while maintaining similar color and odor to G‐SD. The eGI value of 52.21 for R‐SD also fell within the low eGI range, indicating its potential for developing low‐eGI foods for patients with T2DM and other special populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The unpolished red rice (URR) previously has been heat‐moisture treated to significantly improve resistant starch content. Continuously, this study aimed to investigate cooking quality, textural characteristics, and sensory evaluation of the URR, and heat‐moisture‐treated URR (HMT‐URR), cooked with water or 0.5 m acetic acid solution (AAS) at 80 or 100 °C for different cooking time ranging from 30 to 70 min. The degree of gelatinisation (DG), water absorption index (WAI) and cooking loss (CL) of the cooked URR and HMT‐URR significantly increased with the increased cooking temperature or time. The results of DG also showed that whole URR and HMT‐URR were well cooked with water at 80 °C for 70 min or with the AAS at 80 °C for 60 min or at 100 °C for 40 min for both. Although the cooked HMT‐URR was much harder than the cooked URR, the hardness of the HMT‐URR was significantly reduced when cooking with the AAS. The morphological structure also indicated that the URR and HMT‐URR cooked with the AAS were more well gelatinised. As a result, the HMT‐URR cooked with 0.5 m acetic acid solution had high scores in terms of all organoleptic attributes even though their odour and flavour were less preferable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present two cases of middle‐aged men who developed Fanconi syndrome and renal dysfunction after consuming "foods with functional claims (FFC)" containing red yeast rice. In the first case, the patient had consumed an FFC for 1 year and another FFC suspected to have contained nephrotoxin for 3 weeks; kidney biopsy performed during the acute phase of renal injury showed severe acute tubular necrosis and tubular cell regeneration. He achieved near‐complete recovery 40 days after the FFC was discontinued. In the second case, the patient had consumed FFC for 4 years and stopped 70 days prior to presentation; kidney biopsy revealed significant tubular recovery, persistent tubular injuries, and interstitial fibrosis. Although the manifestations of Fanconi syndrome subsided, mild renal dysfunction persisted. These cases suggest that FFC with nephrotoxins may induce Fanconi syndrome owing to acute tubular necrosis. Recovery is possible after discontinuing the FFC; while short‐term ingestion of FFC allows for tubular regeneration, its long‐term ingestion may cause irreversible damage and lead to chronic kidney disease. Long‐term follow‐up is crucial for preventing further renal deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Modern cultivated rice (Oryza sativa) typically experiences limited growth benefits from arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis. This could be due to the long‐term domestication of rice under favorable phosphorus conditions. However, there is limited understanding of whether and how the rice domestication has modified AM properties.This study compared AM properties between a collection of wild (Oryza rufipogon) and domesticated rice genotypes and investigated the mechanisms underlying their differences by analyzing physiological, genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic traits critical for AM symbiosis.The results revealed significantly lower mycorrhizal growth responses and colonization intensity in domesticated rice compared to wild rice, and this change of AM properties may be associated with the domestication modifications of plant phosphorus utilization efficiency at physiological and genomic levels. Domestication also resulted in a decrease in the activity of the mycorrhizal phosphorus acquisition pathway, which may be attributed to reduced mycorrhizal compatibility of rice roots by enhancing defense responses like root lignification and reducing carbon supply to AM fungi.In conclusion, rice domestication may have changed its AM properties by modifying P nutrition‐related traits and reducing symbiotic compatibility. This study offers new insights for improving AM properties in future rice breeding programs to enhance sustainable agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivated rice (Oryza sativa) produces a variety of diterpenoid‐type phytoalexins. Diterpene synthase genes that are responsible for the biosynthesis of momilactones, phytocassanes, and oryzalexins have been identified in O. sativa cv. Nipponbare. OsKSL10 (Os12t0491800 in RAP and LOC_Os12g30824 in MSU) was previously identified as an enzyme catalyzing the conversion of ent‐copalyl diphosphate to ent‐sandaracopimaradiene for the production of oryzalexins A to F. Our previous study on Oryza rufipogon, a wild progenitor of Asian cultivated rice, showed that both OrKSL10 and OrKSL10ind from O. rufipogon accessions W1943 and W0106, respectively, closely related to the japonica and indica subspecies, converted ent‐copalyl diphosphate to ent‐miltiradiene. Thus, the functional conversion of ent‐miltiradiene synthase into ent‐sandaracopimaradiene synthase is implied to have occurred through natural amino acid mutations, the details of which have not been elucidated. In this study, we show that introduction of A654G substitution into OrKSL10 significantly alters its function into more closely resembling that of OsKSL10. Moreover, double substitution V546I/A654G almost completely converts the function of OrKSL10 into that of OsKSL10. On the other hand, the reversed substitution I546V/G654A was insufficient to convert the function of OsKSL10 into OrKSL10, indicating the introduction of additional substitution S522I is required for the functionality of OsKSL10. Lastly, point mutations at the 654A residue in OrKSL10 suggest that hydrophobic side chains at this position have a negative influence on the production of ent‐sandaracopimaradiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving rice (Oryza sativa L.) yields is a major objective of breeding programs worldwide. The Oryza rufipogon species complex (ORSC), which includes the rice ancestral species O. rufipogon Griff. and O. nivara S. D. Sharma & Shastry, is an underutilized resource. Using three phenotypically and genotypically diverse ORSC accessions identified as OrA, OrB, and OrC, three Cybonnet × ORSC chromosome segment substitution line (CSSL) libraries were developed to make this genepool more accessible to breeders. The objective was to characterize these libraries for 20 yield‐related traits to discover genes not currently deployed for rice improvement. Cybonnet and 212 CSSLs from these libraries were evaluated for 2 years in field studies for six agronomic, six panicle architecture, and eight seed traits. Across the three libraries, 62 CSSLs were found to be significantly different from Cybonnet for one or more traits. Of these, 27 CSSLs were significantly different for seed size traits. To ascertain the chromosome region and underlying candidate gene(s) causing these differences, substitution mapping was performed with previously reported genotypes. Mapping with the CSSLs, which had delayed heading under long days, revealed five known genes associated with rice flowering time pathways. The OsMADS50, RFT1, HD3A, SE1, and GHD7 genes were mapped in the OrB and OrC derived CSSLs but only OsMADS50 mapped in the OrA derived CSSLs. Employing this approach for the other 19 traits revealed 28 total candidate genes. A total of 12 of these genes are currently not deployed for yield enhancement. The introgressed ORSC regions associated with these genes are potential sources of novel variation for rice improvement. Core Ideas: Three Cybonnet rice × wild introgression line libraries were evaluated for 20 yield‐related traits.Overall, 62 introgression lines were significantly different from Cybonnet for a yield‐related trait(s).Substitution mapping narrowed the wild genome region to search for gene(s) affecting yield‐related trait(s).Substitution mapping is demonstrated with the five genes affecting days to heading under long day conditions.Of the 28 candidate genes presumed to affect yield traits, 12 are not targeted for breeding, thus potentially novel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red rice is a kind of whole grain with health benefits. Probiotic fermentation is widely applied to promote nutrient release from cereals and improve bioactivity. The study aims to investigate the impact of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) dy‐1 fermentation on the bioactivities, bioaccessibility, and lipid‐lowering activities of red rice. Results indicated that fermentation significantly increased the protein and total phenolic content by 1.7 and 1.4 times of red rice, as well as the content of essential and nonessential amino acids. Fermentation remarkably increased the bioaccessibility of phenolics and the antioxidant capacity of red rice during in vitro digestion. Additionally, Caenorhabditis elegans study revealed that fermented red rice extract reduced the triglyceride content, alleviated fat deposition, and regulated lipid metabolism by altering the genes in the fatty acid oxidation and synthesis, such as daf‐16, mdt‐15, nhr‐49, fat‐5, fat‐7, and hosl‐1. Therefore, L. plantarum dy‐1 fermentation was beneficial for improving bioaccessibility and lipid‐lowering activities of red rice, which will provide a reference for utilization of red rice as a functional food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, taking red yeast rice (RYR) as the raw material, the optimum extraction process of RYR starch was investigated through a single‐factor experiment and the Box–Behnken design: The liquid–to‐solid ratio was 5 mL/g, the concentration of sodium hydroxide solution was 0.075 mol/L, and the extraction time was 3.1 h. Under these extraction conditions, the extraction rate of starch reached 90.077%. To explore the influence of solid‐state fermentation on RYR starch, three different fermentation stages of RYR starch, raw rice starch, semi‐gelatinized rice starch, and RYR starch were used as test materials to determine the changes in the physicochemical properties and glycemic index (GI) values of RYR starch during solid‐state fermentation. The results showed that with the advancement of the RYR solid‐state fermentation process, the starch particle size gradually increased, the light transmittance gradually decreased, and the solubility and swelling power significantly increased. In addition, the amylose content of starch gradually increased, whereas the amylopectin content gradually decreased; the content of fast digestible starch and slow digestible starch decreased, whereas the content of resistant starch increased. In parallel, during solid‐state fermentation, the hydrolysis index significantly decreased, and the GI values also decreased. In summary, solid‐state fermentation reduced the digestibility of RYR starch. These results provide a theoretical basis for the structural and physicochemical properties of RYR starch and lay a foundation for its subsequent application and expansion of RYR starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: To improve the quality of red starter wine, this study explored the effects of baking red kojic rice at varying temperatures on the physicochemical characteristics of red starter wine. Baking was predicated on understanding crucial enzyme activities and starch granule structure of red kojic rice at 75, 95, and 105 °C, leading to the production of three red starter wine variants (BHQW1, BHQW2, and BHQW3). RESULTS: The results revealed an increased alcohol (increase 0.50%), total sugar (increase 0.14 g L-1), and total acid (increase 0.54 g L-1) content in red starter wine fermented using baked red kojic rice compared with the control group (wine fermented with unbaked rice, HQW). Furthermore, both the 105 °C baked red kojic rice and its resulting BHQW3 demonstrated significantly higher red color values than HQW (increase 2.03 U g-1 and 0.15 U mL-1 respectively). The highest lovastatin content was presented in red kojic rice baked at 105 °C and its corresponding fermented wine (1420.63 ± 507.9 ~g g-1 and 3368.87 ± 228.16 ~g L-1 respectively). Additionally, BHQW groups displayed higher total flavonoids and phenols content than HQW. Regarding antioxidant capacity, all BHQW groups showed stronger overall antioxidant capacity than HQW. The determination of volatile components revealed the highest content of volatile compounds in BHQW2 (2621.19 ± 548.24 ~g L-1) and significantly higher volatile esters in BHQW1 (254.46 ± 16.63 ~g L-1). Moreover, 16 volatile compounds were identified only in BHQW groups, including isoamyl caprylate, 2-ethylhexyl alcohol, and benzaldehyde. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that the baking technique of red kojic rice could enhance the quality of red starter wine through enhancing antioxidant properties, increasing functional components, and enriching volatile flavor compounds, thus providing a foundation for new techniques in red starter wine production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esan fermented fish sausage (EFFS) has an unappealing off-white color. The incorporation of an appropriate amount of red yeast rice (RYR) and the selection of an optimal fermentation period may yield visually appealing, high-quality sausages. This study is aimed at investigating the effects of different RYR levels (0, 0.35, and 0.7%) and fermentation periods (0, 2, 4, and 6 days) on the quality parameters of EFFS. The following parameters were examined for raw EFFS: CIE color values ( L ∗ , a ∗ , and b ∗ ), microbial analyses (total viable count, lactic acid bacteria, and yeast and mold counts), titratable acidity (TA), pH, weight loss, cooking loss, texture profile analysis (TPA), and sensory evaluation (color, odor, hand-feel texture, overall acceptability, and overall preference ranking). The quality parameters of the cooked EFFS were CIE color values and sensory evaluation (color, odor, mouthfeel, texture, flavor, overall acceptability, and overall preference ranking). The results showed that 0.35 and 0.7% RYR increased the a ∗ (red/green) values of raw and cooked EFFS but decreased the L ∗ (lightness) and b ∗ (yellow/blue) values. These RYR levels significantly improved the sensory color, overall acceptability, and overall preference ranking of the raw and cooked EFFSs. However, no statistical differences were observed between the effects of 0.35 and 0.7% RYR. RYR levels did not affect the microbial analyses, TA, pH, weight loss, cooking loss, or TPA. Moreover, they had no effect on the odor and hand-feel texture of raw EFFS, or the odor, mouthfeel texture, or flavor of cooked EFFS. Therefore, RYR supplementation improved the color quality of the EFFSs without altering the other quality parameters, with 0.35% RYR deemed optimal. Moreover, the fermentation period significantly influenced most quality parameters, except CIE color values and sensory color perception of raw and cooked EFFSs. Most sensory parameters improved by day 2, remained unchanged until day 4, and then deteriorated on day 6. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological divergence due to habitat difference plays a prominent role in the formation of new species, but the genetic architecture during ecological speciation and the mechanism underlying phenotypic divergence remain less understood. Two wild ancestors of rice (Oryza rufipogon and Oryza nivara) are a progenitor‐derivative species pair with ecological divergence and provide a unique system for studying ecological adaptation/speciation. Here, we constructed a high‐resolution linkage map and conducted a quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of 19 phenotypic traits using an F2 population generated from a cross between the two Oryza species. We identified 113 QTLs associated with interspecific divergence of 16 quantitative traits, with effect sizes ranging from 1.61% to 34.1% in terms of the percentage of variation explained (PVE). The distribution of effect sizes of QTLs followed a negative exponential, suggesting that a few genes of large effect and many genes of small effect were responsible for the phenotypic divergence. We observed 18 clusters of QTLs (QTL hotspots) on 11 chromosomes, significantly more than that expected by chance, demonstrating the importance of coinheritance of loci/genes in ecological adaptation/speciation. Analysis of effect direction and v‐test statistics revealed that interspecific differentiation of most traits was driven by divergent natural selection, supporting the argument that ecological adaptation/speciation would proceed rapidly under coordinated selection on multiple traits. Our findings provide new insights into the understanding of genetic architecture of ecological adaptation and speciation in plants and help effective manipulation of specific genes or gene cluster in rice breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Spartina alterniflora is a halophyte that can survive in high‐salinity environments, and it is phylogenetically close to important cereal crops, such as maize and rice. It is of scientific interest to understand why S. alterniflora can live under such extremely stressful conditions. The molecular mechanism underlying its high‐saline tolerance is still largely unknown. Here we investigated the possibility that high‐affinity K+ transporters (HKTs), which function in salt tolerance and maintenance of ion homeostasis in plants, are responsible for salt tolerance in S. alterniflora. To overcome the imprecision and unstable of the gene screening method caused by the conventional sequence alignment, we used a deep learning method, DeepGOPlus, to automatically extract sequence and protein characteristics from our newly assemble S. alterniflora genome to identify SaHKTs. Results showed that a total of 16 HKT genes were identified. The number of S. alterniflora HKTs (SaHKTs) is larger than that in all other investigated plant species except wheat. Phylogenetically related SaHKT members had similar gene structures, conserved protein domains and cis‐elements. Expression profiling showed that most SaHKT genes are expressed in specific tissues and are differentially expressed under salt stress. Yeast complementation expression analysis showed that type I members SaHKT1;2, SaHKT1;3 and SaHKT1;8 and type II members SaHKT2;1, SaHKT2;3 and SaHKT2;4 had low‐affinity K+ uptake ability and that type II members showed stronger K+ affinity than rice and Arabidopsis HKTs, as well as most SaHKTs showed preference for Na+ transport. We believe the deep learning‐based methods are powerful approaches to uncovering new functional genes, and the SaHKT genes identified are important resources for breeding new varieties of salt‐tolerant crops. Significance Statement: The great potential of deep learning‐based methods for uncovering the HKT genes in S. alterniflora was demonstrated, which opens the door for utilizing SaHKTs in a wide range of species to increase the stress resilience of staple crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: High‐affinity K+ transporters/K+ uptake permeases/K+ transporters (HAK/KUP/KT) are important pathways mediating K+ transport across cell membranes, which function in maintaining K+ homeostasis during plant growth and stress response. An increasing number of studies have shown that HAK/KUP/KT transporters play crucial roles in root K+ uptake and root‐to‐shoot translocation. However, whether HAK/KUP/KT transporters also function in phloem K+ translocation remain unclear. In this study, we revealed that a phloem‐localized rice HAK/KUP/KT transporter, OsHAK18, mediated cell K+ uptake when expressed in yeast, Escherichia coli and Arabidopsis. It was localized at the plasma membrane. Disruption of OsHAK18 rendered rice seedlings insensitive to low‐K+ (LK) stress. After LK stress, some WT leaves showed severe wilting and chlorosis, whereas the corresponding leaves of oshak18 mutant lines (a Tos17 insertion line and two CRISPR lines) remained green and unwilted. Compared with WT, the oshak18 mutants accumulated more K+ in shoots but less K+ in roots after LK stress, leading to a higher shoot/root ratio of K+ per plant. Disruption of OsHAK18 does not affect root K+ uptake and K+ level in xylem sap, but it significantly decreases phloem K+ concentration and inhibits root‐to‐shoot‐to‐root K+ (Rb+) translocation in split‐root assay. These results reveal that OsHAK18 mediates phloem K+ loading and redistribution, whose disruption is in favor of shoot K+ retention under LK stress. Our findings expand the understanding of HAK/KUP/KT transporters' functions and provide a promising strategy for improving rice tolerance to K+ deficiency. Significance Statement: HAK/KUP/KT transporters play important roles in K+ uptake and root‐to‐shoot translocation, but whether HAK/KUP/KT transporters function in phloem K+ translocation remain unclear. Here, we reported that a phloem‐localized rice HAK/KUP/KT transporter, OsHAK18, mediated phloem K+ loading and affected shoot‐to‐root K+ redistribution, which expands the understanding of HAK/KUP/KT transporters' functions and provides a potential strategy for improving rice tolerance to K+ deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of adding Indian red matta rice husk Si3N4 bioceramic on flammability, wear, mechanical and thermal behavior of corn husk fiber‐reinforced polyester composites. The Si3N4 bioceramic was prepared using thermo‐chemical process and subsequently surface‐treated using silane via aqueous solution method. The composites were made using hand layup method and post cured at elevated temperature. The results of this investigation suggest that adding 30 vol% of corn husk fiber improved the mechanical properties as compared to pure epoxy, however the Si3N4 addition outperformed. Similar to this, the composite with 4.0 vol% of bioceramic particle has the highest wear resistances, with a lowest sp. wear rate of 0.008 mm3/Nm and a coefficient of friction of 0.31. According to the flammability results, the composite contains 30 vol% of corn husk fiber and 4 vol% of Si3N4 (ECS3) has the lowered combustion rate of 6.72 mm/min. Finally, the composite ECS3 produced the lowest creep strain of 0.0104, 0.0122, 0.0149, 0.0241, and 0.0444 for 2000, 4000, 6000, 8000, and 10000 s respectively. These composites with improved properties could be used in cutting edge latest technologies as functional materials in automotive, defense, food packaging, structural, and domestic goods manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: In plants, variations in seed size and number are outcomes of different reproductive strategies. Both traits are often environmentally influenced, suggesting that a mechanism exists to coordinate these phenotypes in response to available maternal resources. Yet, how maternal resources are sensed and influence seed size and number is largely unknown. Here, we report a mechanism that senses maternal resources and coordinates grain size and number in the wild rice Oryza rufipogon, a wild progenitor of Asian cultivated rice. We showed that FT‐like 9 (FTL9) regulates both grain size and number and that maternal photosynthetic assimilates induce FTL9 expression in leaves to act as a long‐range signal that increases grain number and reduces size. Our findings highlight a strategy that benefits wild plants to survive in a fluctuating environment. In this strategy, when maternal resources are sufficient, wild plants increase their offspring number while preventing an increase in offspring size by the action of FTL9, which helps expand their habitats. In addition, we found that a loss‐of‐function allele (ftl9) is prevalent among wild and cultivated populations, offering a new scenario in the history of rice domestication. Significance Statement: Offspring number and size are the cornerstones of the life history of wild plants and are essential in crop yield. By using the phenotypic variation of grain traits among Oryza rufipogon, a wild progenitor of Asian cultivated rice, we found that FT‐like 9 (FTL9) mediates maternal‐offspring signaling that senses maternal resource availability and coordinates grain size and number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial blight (BB) is currently considered one of the most serious rice diseases and is caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo). Numerous studies have shown that breeding resistant rice varieties is one of the most effective methods to prevent BB, and it is important to identify and isolate more BB resistance (R) genes from different rice resources.Using a map‐based approach, we identified a new QTL/gene, Xa43(t), from ZhangPu wild rice, which was highly resistant to the BB isolate PX099. We performed bulked segregant analysis combined with candidate gene prediction to identify the candidate gene.The Xa43(t) gene was narrowed down to a 29‐kb region containing four putative genes. More importantly, the candidate gene Xa43(t) did not affect the main agronomic traits of rice. We also identified a widely applicable molecular marker, namely Inde1‐18, which co‐segregates with the Xa43(t) gene.The Xa43(t) gene is a new broad‐spectrum BB resistance gene without identified alleles and has good application prospects for rice disease resistance breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Maintaining the viability of probiotics is critical for maximising their functionality. In this study, tara gum, basic amino acids, rice protein and red ginseng dietary fibre were sequentially applied to encapsulate various probiotic strains to improve their viability and enhance their adhesion to intestinal cells. Compared with uncoated control strains, multilayer‐coated probiotic strains exhibited higher survival rates under low pH conditions (maximum survival: 81.8% for Lactobacillus casei) and bile acid conditions (>50% survival for Lactobacillus rhamnosus). Multicoating also increased the ability of probiotic strains to adhere to intestinal epithelial cells. For example, encapsulated L. reuteri exhibited 56.9% adhesion, which was approximately four‐fold higher than that of the uncoated strain. Moreover, compared with the uncoated strains, multicoated strains exhibited significantly improved storage stability under various temperatures after freeze‐drying. Therefore, the quadruple‐coating technology used in this study enhances the viability and stability of probiotic strains, which is a key advantage from the industrial perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red mold rice (RMR) generally contains gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), which has several physiological functions. Monascus purpureus M162, with a high GABA production of 15.10 mg/g was generated by atmospheric and room temperature plasma mutation. Furthermore, we conducted a response surface methodology to produce a premium hongqu starter. The results revealed that under optimal conditions, that is, a substrate containing brown rice and bran in a brown rice: bran ratio of 9:1 (wt/wt), an inoculation size of 21.50 mL/100 g, a mixing frequency of one time/9 h, and a cultivation time of 7.20 days, the number of active spores, α‐amylase activity, and saccharification power activity was 4.15 × 107 spores/g, 155 U/g, and 3260 U/g in the high‐quality starter, respectively. These values were 224.32‐fold, 139.64%, and 141.74% higher than those obtained with M. purpureus M162 inoculated into steamed indica rice, respectively, and 153.70‐fold, 267.24%, and 151.63% higher than those obtained with the parent strain M. purpureus M1, respectively. The premium hongqu starter of M. purpureus M162 was inoculated into steamed indica rice to produce RMR with 15.93 mg/g of GABA. In conclusion, we proposed a novel strategy for functional RMR production with high GABA concentrations by solid‐state fermentation with Monascus spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Red rice, rich in fibre and phenolic contents, is one of the underutilised grains. Therefore, the present study developed the wheat/red rice flour (RRF) composites followed by its utilisation in pan breads. It led to an increase in ash and fibre contents of resultant flour combinations, but gluten network became weaker. The values for water absorption were unaffected with RRF replacements ≤15% of wheat flour. Moreover, the proximate estimates of RRF added breads demonstrated increased moisture and fibre contents. Substituted bread combinations were harder with increased gumminess and springiness values; however, cohesion decreased. The per cent change in cohesion and hardness of individual breads upon storage was lesser in composites compared to control suggesting decline in staling phenomenon. Nutritional assessment of both RRF containing flour and breads showed higher total phenolic content and DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to their respective controls. Composite breads also demonstrated reduced glycaemic index suggesting its importance for diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of pulsed electric field (PEF) on the structural, morphological, functional, textural and rheological properties of red rice starch (Oryza sativa). The 5 mm thick starch pastes were subjected to PEF at 10 and 30 kV cm−1 with a pulse frequency of 600 Hz for 90 s. PEF was responsible for decreasing crystallinity, due to the damage caused during processing. The spectra showed different intensities in the bands close to 1000 cm−1, a characteristic region of starch. PEF30 showed greater stability and less retrogradation. The values for textural and rheological parameters were decreased, showing the effect of treatments on amylopectin chains. Therefore, based on the results, nonthermal modification of red rice starch by PEF at 30 kV cm−1 is the most suitable formulation to obtain a new material with optimized characteristics. Practical Applications: The results of this study are beneficial for the industry, where its use to process rice starch‐based foods is targeted. Due to the practicality and efficiency when it comes to a nonthermal process, the modification of the structures and the improvement of the nature of food materials is the main objective. The advantage of PEF is that it can be applied to solid foods (in the form of a paste) and to liquids (food fluids), varying system parameters such as electrical intensity. When working with starch in paste form, the article shows that the highest intensity (30 kV cm−1) was the most indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: Weedy plants are a major constraint on agricultural productivity. Weedy rice is a weed that invades rice fields worldwide and is responsible for reductions in rice yields. Studies to date have detected multiple independent weedy rice origins in different parts of the world. We investigated the origin of weedy rice in Spain and Portugal and found that it has evolved from a cultivated rice variety group grown locally. Iberian weeds carry mutations that reverse domesticated pericarp color to its ancestral red color. Our results imply that management strategies are needed to prevent the evolution of troublesome weeds from cultivated ancestors. Summary: Weedy rice, a damaging conspecific weed of cultivated rice, has arisen multiple times independently around the world. Understanding all weedy rice origins is necessary to create more effective weed management strategies. The origins of weedy rice in Spain and Portugal, where there are no native Oryza species, are unknown. In this study, we try to identify the likely ancestors of Iberian weedy rice and the mechanisms involved in the evolution of two weedy traits, seed shattering, and red pericarps.We used genotyping by sequencing to understand the origin of Iberian weedy rice and its relationship to other weedy, wild, and cultivated rice groups worldwide. We also genotyped candidate genes for shattering and pericarp color.We find that weedy rice in the Iberian Peninsula has primarily evolved through de‐domestication of temperate japonica cultivars, with minor origins from exotic weedy rice. Iberian weeds have evolved the capacity to shatter seeds via novel loci and have acquired red pericarps via compensatory mutations in the Rc domestication gene. Our results suggest the Iberian weeds have experienced selection at multiple locations in the genome to establish as weeds, likely targeting male fertility genes among other functions.Our characterization of Iberian weedy rice adds to the growing evidence that de‐domestication of cultivated rice varieties is the main source of weedy rice worldwide. Their evolutionary versatility explains why weedy rice continues to be one of the most problematic weeds of cultivated rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Cold stress at the reproductive stage severely affects the production and geographic distribution of rice. The Geng/japonica subpopulation gradually developed stronger cold adaptation than the Xian/indica subpopulation during the long‐term domestication of cultivated rice. However, the evolutionary path and natural alleles underlying the cold adaptability of intra‐Geng subspecies remain largely unknown. Here, we identified MITOGEN‐ACTIVATED PROTEIN KINASE 3 (OsMAPK3) and LATE EMBRYOGENESIS ABUNDANT PROTEIN 9 (OsLEA9) as two important regulators for the cold adaptation of Geng subspecies from a combination of transcriptome analysis and genome‐wide association study. Transgenic validation showed that OsMAPK3 and OsLEA9 confer cold tolerance at the reproductive stage. Selection and evolution analysis suggested that the Geng version of OsMAPK3 (OsMAPK3Geng) directly evolved from Chinese Oryza rufipogon III and was largely retained in high‐latitude and high‐altitude regions with low temperatures during domestication. Later, the functional nucleotide polymorphism (FNP‐776) in the Kunmingxiaobaigu and Lijiangxiaoheigu version of the OsLEA9 (OsLEA9KL) promoter originated from novel variation of intra‐Geng was selected and predominantly retained in temperate Geng to improve the adaptation of Geng together with OsMAPK3Geng to colder climatic conditions in high‐latitude areas. Breeding potential analysis suggested that pyramiding of OsMAPK3Geng and OsLEA9KL enhanced the cold tolerance of Geng and promotes the expansion of cultivated rice to colder regions. This study not only highlights the evolutionary path taken by the cold‐adaptive differentiation of intra‐Geng, but also provides new genetic resources for rice molecular breeding in low‐temperature areas. Significance Statement: In this study, we identified variants in the two genes, OsMAPK3 and OsLEA9, as conferring cold tolerance of the Geng subspecies at the reproductive stage. OsMAPK3Geng originated from Chinese Oryza rufipogon III before following two evolutionary routes during domestication. It first genetically interacts with an allele of OsLEA9KL, which harbors a novel polymorphism in its promoter in Geng, to improve jointly the cold adaptability of Geng and promote its expansion to high‐altitude regions with a colder climate. In parallel, variation in OsMAPK3Geng sequentially move northward and enhance the tolerance of Geng to lower temperatures, eventually promoting the planting of Geng in higher‐latitude areas such as northeast China. Our results provide insights into the evolutionary path of cold tolerance genes underlying the cold adaptation of intra‐Geng and provide new genetic resources for rice molecular breeding for cold tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Global warming is a major abiotic stress factor, which limit rice production. Exploiting the genetic basis of the natural variation in heat resistance at different reproductive stages among diverse exotic Oryza germplasms can help breeding heat‐resistant rice cultivars. Here, we identified a stable quantitative trait locus (QTL) for heat tolerance at the heading stage on chromosome 5 (qHTH5) in O. rufipogon Griff. The corresponding gene, HTH5, pertains to the pyridoxal phosphate‐binding protein PLPBP (formerly called PROSC) family, which is predicted to encode pyridoxal phosphate homeostasis protein (PLPHP) localized to the mitochondrion. Overexpression of HTH5 increased the seed‐setting rate of rice plants under heat stress at the heading stage, whereas suppression of HTH5 resulted in greater susceptibility to heat stress. Further investigation indicated that HTH5 reduces reactive oxygen species accumulation at high temperatures by increasing the heat‐induced pyridoxal 5'‐phosphate (PLP) content. Moreover, we found that two SNPs located in the HTH5 promoter region are involved with its expression level and associated with heat tolerance diversity. These findings suggest that the novel gene HTH5 might have great potential value for heightening rice tolerance to heat stress to the on‐going threat of global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of formulation on physiochemical and functional properties of extruded breakfast cereals was investigated. The anthocyanins of breakfast cereals were quantified using HPLC, and remarkable retention of anthocyanins and antioxidant properties was recorded. The purple sweet potato (PSP) indicated a most significant positive impact on antioxidant capacity, whereas the cornflour contributed toward a better expansion of the final product. The optimum formulation of breakfast cereal with an acceptable textural properties and highest antioxidant properties was produced using 55% PSP powder, 15% whole red rice flour, and 30% cornflour and resulted breakfast cereals with hardness, SEI, antioxidant activity, anthocyanin, and total phenolic content of 4.87 kg, 2.93, 13.57 μmol TE/g, 66.35 mg/100 g and 5.13 mg GAE/g, respectively, with attractive natural color, satisfactory bowl‐life and better functional properties. PSP and red rice provide natural color to the final product and rich source of anthocyanins with better antioxidant capacity. Novelty impact statement: The results obtained in this study reveals the potential use of purple sweet potato, whole red rice, and cornflour to formulation of healthy extruded breakfast cereals using a D‐optimal mixture design approach, and resulted breakfast cereals showed better expansion, texture, bowl‐life, and rich in the natural bioactive compound, fiber, and colorants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre‐harvest sprouting (PHS), which reduces grain yield and quality, is controlled by seed dormancy genes. Because few dormancy‐related genes have been cloned, the genetic basis of seed dormancy in rice (Oryza sativa L.) remains unclear. Here, we performed a genome‐wide association study and linkage mapping to dissect the genetic basis of seed dormancy in rice. Our findings suggest that Seed Dormancy4 (Sdr4), a central modulator of seed dormancy, integrates the abscisic acid and gibberellic acid signaling pathways at the transcriptional level. Haplotype analysis revealed that three Sdr4 alleles in rice cultivars already existed in ancestral Oryza rufipogon accessions. Furthermore, like the semi‐dwarf 1 (SD1) and Rc loci, Sdr4 underwent selection during the domestication and improvement of Asian cultivated rice. The distribution frequency of the Sdr4‐n allele in different locations in Asia is negatively associated with local annual temperature and precipitation. Finally, we developed functional molecular markers for Sdr4, SD1, and Rc for use in molecular breeding. Our results provide clues about the molecular basis of Sdr4‐regulated seed dormancy. Moreover, these findings provide guidance for utilizing the favorable alleles of Sdr4 and Rc to synergistically boost PHS resistance, yield, and quality in modern rice varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study evaluates the application of pulsed electric field (PEF) and investigates the effects of drying temperature on the thermodynamic and thermal properties of red rice starch (Oryza Sativa L.). The grains underwent extraction process using 0.5% of sodium metabisulfite; the pastes were pretreated with application of PEF (10 and 30 kV/cm); and the pulse frequency was 600 Hz, 6 μs wide, and 90‐s residence time. The pretreated pastes were subjected to temperatures of 40, 50, and 60°C with an air velocity of 1.0 m/s. Evaluation of the thermodynamic properties and thermal properties of the PEF‐pretreated starch was carried out after adjusting the diffusive models using boundary conditions of the first and third types. PEF showed maximum reduction in the time process of 180 min (46.15%) for the PEF 30 kV/cm at a temperature of 60°C. The boundary condition of the third type showed a coefficient of determination (r2) greater than.98 and low values of the χ2 function with diffusivity ranging from 2.159 to 7.877 × 10−5 m2/min. A decrease in activation energy (44.59 kJ/mol) was observed revealing positive and decreasing values. The different intensities of PEF resulted in greater moisture transport presenting a uniform distribution within the starch throughout the drying process. The temperature and gelatinization enthalpy were also influenced by PEF. Therefore, PEF can reduce the costs of the drying and gelatinization process reducing environmental impacts generated by high energy consumption. Practical Applications: The results obtained will contribute to the optimization of industrial production and will serve as a basis for the implementation of a pretreatment of FPE for large‐scale application. This method is promising because it modifies the cellular structure of biological cells such as red rice starch and increases the convective drying rate, reducing drying time and energy expenditure in the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red yeast rice is consumed as a medicinal food to lower blood lipids. Besides, it is used to color food, make wine, etc. In this study, water‐soluble oligosaccharides in red yeast rice were extracted by ultrasonic‐assisted extraction method. The parameters to extract oligosaccharides from red yeast rice were optimized by the Box‐Behnken design under the following optimal extraction conditions: extraction temperature, 60°C; extraction time, 97 min; and liquid/material ratio, 25 ml/g. The structure and the antioxidant activity of the new oligosaccharide were preliminarily investigated. Total carbohydrates extracted from red yeast rice with 80% ethanol–water solution (v/v) were first removed from pigments using D101 macroporous adsorption resin. The total sugar contents were then purified by DE52 resins and Sephadex G‐25 resins to obtain red yeast rice oligosaccharides, coded as RYRO1. Structural characterization experiments indicated that RYRO1 is an oligosaccharide with a weight average molecular weight of 874 Da and a theoretical degree of polymerization of 4.86. RYRO1 is composed of mannose, glucosamine, glucose, and galactose with a molar ratio of 0.248:0.019:1:0.026. The ABTS, DPPH, and hydroxyl free radical scavenging assays showed antioxidant nature of RYRO1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The improvement of cold adaptation has contributed to the increased growing area of rice. Standing variation and de novo mutation are distinct natural sources of beneficial alleles in plant adaptation. However, the genetic mechanisms and evolutionary patterns underlying these sources in a single population during crop domestication remain elusive.Here we cloned the CTB2 gene, encoding a UDP‐glucose sterol glucosyltransferase, for cold tolerance in rice at the booting stage. A single standing variation (I408V) in the conserved UDPGT domain of CTB2 originated from Chinese Oryza rufipogon and contributed to the cold adaptation of Oryzasativa ssp. japonica.CTB2 is located in a 56.8 kb region, including the previously reported gene CTB4a in which de novo mutation arose c. 3200 yr BP in Yunnan province, China, conferring cold tolerance. Standing variation of CTB2 and de novo mutation of CTB4a underwent stepwise selection to facilitate cold adaptation to expand rice cultivation from high‐altitude to high‐latitude regions.These results provide an example of stepwise selection on two kinds of variation and describe a new molecular mechanism of cold adaptation in japonica rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild rice Oryza rufipogon, a progenitor of cultivated rice Oryza sativa L., possesses superior salinity tolerance and is a potential donor for breeding salinity tolerance traits in rice. However, a mechanistic basis of salinity tolerance in this donor species has not been established. Here, we examined salinity tolerance from the early vegetative stage to maturity in O. rufipogon in comparison with a salt‐susceptible (Koshihikari) and a salt‐tolerant (Reiziq) variety of O. sativa. We assessed their phylogeny and agronomical traits, photosynthetic performance, ion contents, as well as gene expression in response to salinity stress. Salt‐tolerant O. rufipogon exhibited efficient leaf photosynthesis and less damage to leaf tissues during the course of salinity treatment. In addition, O. rufipogon showed a significantly higher tissue Na+ accumulation that is achieved by vacuolar sequestration compared to the salt tolerant O. sativa indica subspecies. These findings are further supported by the upregulation of genes involved with ion transport and sequestration (e.g. high affinity K+transporter 1;4 [HKT1;4], Na+/H+exchanger 1 [NHX1] and vacuolar H+‐ATPase c [VHA‐c]) in salt‐tolerant O. rufipogon as well as by the close phylogenetic relationship of key salt‐responsive genes in O. rufipogon to these in salt‐tolerant wild rice species such as O. coarctata. Thus, the high accumulation of Na+ in the leaves of O. rufipogon acts as a cheap osmoticum to minimize the high energy cost of osmolyte biosynthesis and excessive reactive oxygen species production. These mechanisms demonstrated that O. rufipogon has important traits that can be used for improving salinity tolerance in cultivated rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The black rice and red rice varieties cultivated in Brazil are rich in dietary fibres, proteins, and phenolic compounds with great antioxidant potential, being a promising alternative for the production of healthy gluten‐free snacks. In this study, pigmented rice flours and their respective extrudates were characterised for the nutrient profile, phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, technological properties and colour aspects, and the results were compared through heat map analysis. Black rice snacks presented better nutrient and phenolic profiles, while the red rice snacks stood out for the expansion and texture properties. Both breakfast cereals were nutritive, gluten‐free, hypoallergenic, naturally coloured (no need to add artificial colorants) and presented good sensory acceptance, with the higher scores for the attributes shape, size, colour and crispness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of different hydrothermal pretreatments on the physical chemical characteristics and drying kinetics of red rice starch (Oryza sativa L.) were investigated. The hydrothermal pretreatments chosen include the cooking, autoclave, and steam explosion processes. To obtain the starch in powder form, the pastes were dried at a temperature of 50°C with an air speed of 1.0 m/s. The mathematical models (empirical and diffusive) were adjusted to the experimental data. The starches were submitted to extraction yield, color, water binding capacity, and proanthocyanidins. The values for the diffusivity are between 3.08 × 10−7 and 2.74 × 10−6 m2/min for treatments. The pretreatments of cooking in the grain and autoclave in the starch gave better results than the other studied treatments (formulations), presenting shorter drying time (450 and 510 min) and higher yield (48.60% and 53.54%), respectively. With the application of pretreatments, it is possible to save energy and reduce thermal damage. Novelty impact statement: The results obtained in this study reveals the application autoclave pre‐treatment in red rice starch effectively saves energy and reduces thermal damage as the drying time is shortened. In addition, the drying process information can be used when designing future new equipments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims. A relevant role is emerging for functional foods in cardiovascular prevention. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a nutraceutical multitargeted approach on lipid profile and inflammatory markers along with vascular remodelling in a cohort of dyslipidemic subjects without history of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Methods and Results. We enrolled 25 subjects (mean age 48.2 years) with low to moderate CV risk profile and total cholesterol (TC) levels between 150 and 250 mg/dl. The patients were assigned to receive for one year a tablet/die of a nutraceutical combination containing red yeast rice (RYR) extract (Monacolin 3 mg/tablet) and coenzyme Q10 (30 mg/tablet). Treatment with the nutraceutical compounds led to a significant reduction of TC (from 227 to 201 mg/dl, p < 0.001), LDL-c (from 150 to 130 mg/dl, p = 0.001), triglycerides (from 121 to 109 mg/dl, p = 0.013), non-HDL-cholesterol (from 168 to 141 mg/dl, p < 0.001), hs-CRP (from 1.74 to 1.20 mg/l, p = 0.015), and osteoprotegerin (from 1488 to 1328 pg/ml, p = 0.045). Levels of HDL-c, Lp(a), glucose, liver enzyme, CPK, or creatinine did not change over time. An ultrasound study was performed to assess changes in mean carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and maximum IMT (M-MAX) as well as modification in local carotid stiffness by means of determining the carotid compliance coefficient (CC) and distensibility coefficient (DC). At the end of the treatment, we observed small but significant reductions in both mean-IMT (from 0.62 to 0.57 mm, p = 0.022) and M-MAX (from 0.79 to 0.73 mm, p = 0.002), and an improvement in carotid elasticity (DC from 22.4 to 24.3 × 10 − 3 / kPa , p = 0.006 and CC from 0.77 to 0.85 mm2/kPa, p = 0.019). Conclusions. A long-term treatment with a combination of RYR and coenzyme Q10 showed lipid-lowering activity along with a reduction of inflammatory mediators and an improvement of vascular properties in young subjects with a low-to-moderate CV risk profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serious concerns are expressed on the safe use of red yeast rice (RYR) supplements. The aim of the present study was to analyse cases received by Lareb on RYR‐related adverse health events. These cases were analysed for the number of reports, number of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), causality, seriousness of the reaction, latency‐period, age and sex of the patients, concomitant medication and type of reporter. A total of 94 individual reports were collected by Lareb, corresponding with 187 ADRs. The analysis showed most reported ADRs were labelled musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders (n = 64), gastrointestinal disorders (n = 33) and general disorders and administration site conditions (n = 23). The use of RYR supplements should be considered as a significant safety concern. Exposure to monacolin K could lead to serious adverse effects. To fully assess the safety profile of RYR supplements, more research is necessary to compose a complete ADR profile of RYR supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Rice is produced for consumption and traditional medicine. Rice is also used as an ingredient in cosmetic products. In this study, the author investigated the biological activity and inhibition potential against α‐glucosidase, α‐amylase and tyrosinase activity of rice extract (black rice [BR], red rice [RR] and white rice [WR]), rice volatile compounds, rice extract combined with volatile compounds, rice extract combined with standard inhibitors and volatile compounds combined with standard inhibitors. The results revealed that the free‐radical scavenging capacity of rice extract is related to the phenolic content and flavonoids. BR showed the highest potential to inhibit α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase activity, whereas WR showed the highest potential to inhibit tyrosinase activity. Among rice volatile compounds, vanillin and vanillyl alcohol had the highest inhibition potential against α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase, respectively, whereas guaiacol had the highest inhibitory activity against tyrosinase. Molecular docking supported by the high binding efficiency was also obtained from vanillin and guaiacol when located at the active site of these enzymes. The combination of RR with acarbose (AB) had the highest inhibition potential and showed a synergic effect on both α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase. Interestingly, the combination of rice extract (BR, RR and WR) and vanillin and vanillyl alcohol had a synergic effect on α‐amylase. Moreover, the combination of WR and vanillyl alcohol had the highest inhibition potential and showed a synergic effect on tyrosinase, whereas rice volatile compounds had a synergic effect on tyrosinase obtained from 2‐pentylfuran/kojic acid (KA), vanillin/KA and vanillyl alcohol/KA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is characterized by dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, steatohepatitis, edema, necrosis, etc. Studies have reported that some dietary nutrition factors have beneficial effects in improving ALD. Red yeast rice (RYR), a traditional herbal supplement, has been confirmed to lower cholesterol mainly due to its component monacolin K. However, the effect of RYR on ALD has not been investigated. In this study, mice were supplemented with a daily oral gavage of 4 g/kg 50% ethanol for 8 weeks to induce a chronic ALD. RYR (150 mg kg-1 day-1) was supplied to ALD mice in treatment group. The results showed that RYR supplementation significantly attenuated hyperlipidemia, elevated circulating inflammatory cytokines, hepatic structural damage, and oxidative stress in mice supplemented with alcohol with no effects on body weight. Moreover, RYR significantly suppressed alcohol-induced hepatic NF-κB activation and apoptosis. Our results suggest that RYR is capable of preventing ALD mainly by attenuating hepatic oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Practical applications RYR was known for cholesterol-lowering effect through its main component monacolin K. The current study revealed that RYR was capable of ameliorating ALD, which is characterized by profound dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, steatohepatitis, edema, etc. Our results indicated that the protective effect of RYR on ALD is largely achieved by regulating lipid metabolism, and closely related to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of RYR. This study provides research foundation for the development of RYR-related food or pharmaceutical products, especially targeting for ALD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preharvest sprouting (PHS) remains a severe agricultural problem in rice and other crops. This study investigated the exact effect of Rc gene on PHS resistance along with seed and milled rice quality using two sets of near‐isogenic line‐derived populations, and showed the advantages of the Rc gene over other dormancy‐associated genes in protecting against PHS. Rc gene has a significant effect on PHS resistance, and Rc‐controlled dormancy does not negatively affect next agricultural production cycle. Importantly, Rc has a completely dominant maternal effect on PHS resistance, which confers an advantage to hybrid rice over inbred rice, and the effect fails to be counteracted by GA application in hybrid seed production. Moreover, Rc gene retains the same milled rice qualities of brown‐pericarp rice as that of white‐pericarp rice, and the brown‐pericarp rice possesses a higher antioxidative capacity than the white‐pericarp rice. Thus, wide application of the Rc gene would not only protect against PHS, but would also enhance the production of naturally occurring antioxidants that could make a significant contribution to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is affecting agricultural production in the coastal areas of the Mekong Delta through the intrusion of salinity into the rice (Oryza spp.) fields, where farmers cultivate photoperiod‐sensitive rice varieties with long growth duration and low grain yields. A set of 12 stable crop wild relative (CWR)‐derived rice lines with introgressions from wild rice Oryza rufipogon Griffiths and O. nivara S.D. Sharma & Shastry was evaluated for their phenotypic response to salinity tolerance by a participatory selection approach on farm in the Phuoc Long and Gia Rai districts, Bac Lieu province. The evaluation of the results showed that four lines derived from CWR are well adapted to the local environmental conditions, with high grain yield (>6.5 t ha−1), early maturity, and short plant height. These CWR‐derived lines were adopted by farmers and proposed for testing on a larger scale in different areas of the coastal zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antidiabetic properties of red yeast rice, bitter gourd, and chromium have gained scientific support. This study aimed to test whether a nutraceutical combination of these 3 materials prevented dedifferentiation of pancreatic β cells. Male db/db mice (8 weeks of age) were allocated into four groups (DB, DB/L, DB/M, and DB/H; n = 8–10) and fed a high‐fat diet containing 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, or 1% nutraceutical, respectively, whereas wild‐type mice receiving a standard diet served as a healthy control (C; n = 10). The nutraceutical contained 10 mg/g monacolin K, 165 µg/g chromium, and 300 mg/g bitter gourd. After 8‐weeks dietary treatment, diabetic syndromes (including hyperglycemia, hyperphagia, excessive drinking, polyuria, glucosuria, albuminuria, and glucose intolerance), were improved by the nutraceutical in a dose‐dependent fashion. Decreased insulin and increased glucagon in serum and pancreatic islets in db/db mice were abolished in the DB/H group. Furthermore, supplementation curtailed dedifferentiation of β cells, as evidenced by decreasing the dedifferentiation marker (Aldh1a3) and increasing β‐cell‐enriched genes and transcription factors (Ins1, Ins2, FOXO1, and NKX6.1), as well as nuclear localization of NKX6.1 in pancreatic islets when compared to the DB group. We concluded that this nutraceutical, a combination of Monascus purpureus, Momordica charantia, and chromium, could be used as an adjunct for type 2 diabetes treatment and delay disease progression by sustaining β‐cell function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Asian cultivated rice (Oryza sativa) and African cultivated rice (Oryza glaberrima) originated from the wild rice species Oryza rufipogon and Oryza barthii, respectively. The genomes of both cultivated species have undergone profound changes during domestication. Whole‐genome de novo assemblies of O. barthii, O. glaberrima, O. rufipogon and Oryza nivara, produced using PacBio single‐molecule real‐time (SMRT) and next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, showed that Gypsy‐like retrotransposons are the major contributors to genome size variation in African and Asian rice. Through the detection of genome‐wide structural variations (SVs), we observed that besides 28 shared SV hot spots, another 67 hot spots existed in either the Asian or African rice genomes. Based on gene annotation information of the SVs, we established that organelle‐to‐nucleus DNA transfers resulted in numerous SVs that participated in the nuclear genome divergence of rice species and subspecies. We detected 52 giant nuclear integrants of organelle DNA (NORGs, defined as >10 kb) in six Oryza AA genomes. In addition, we developed an effective method to genotype giant NORGs, based on genome assembly, and first showed the dynamic change in the distribution of giant NORGs in rice natural population. Interestingly, 16 highly differentiated giant NORGs tended to accumulate in natural populations of Asian rice from higher latitude regions, grown at lower temperatures and light intensities. Our study provides new insight into the genome divergence of African and Asian rice, and establishes that organelle‐to‐nucleus DNA transfers, as potentially powerful contributors to environmental adaptation during rice evolution, play a major role in producing SVs in rice genomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a widely used genetic tool in modern hybrid rice breeding. Most genes conferring rice gametophytic CMS are homologous to orf79 and co‐transcribe with atp6. However, the origin, differentiation and flow of these mitochondrial genes in wild and cultivated rice species remain unclear. In this study, we performed de novo assembly of the mitochondrial genomes of 221 common wild rice (Oryza rufipogon Griff.) and 369 Asian cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) accessions, and identified 16 haplotypes of atp6‐orf79‐like structures and 11 orf79 alleles. These homologous structures were classified into 4 distinct groups (AO‐I, AO‐II, AO‐III and AO‐IV), all of which were observed in O. rufipogon but only AO‐I was detected in O. sativa, causing a decrease in the frequency of atp6‐orf79‐like structures from 19.9% to 8.1%. Phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses revealed that the different groups of these gametophytic CMS‐related genes in O. rufipogon evolved in a multicentric pattern. The geographical origin of the atp6‐orf79‐like structures was further traced back, and a candidate region in north‐east of Gangetic Plain on the Indian Peninsula (South Asia) was identified as the origin centre of AO‐I. The orf79 alleles were detected in all three cytoplasmic types (Or‐CT0, Or‐CT1 and Or‐CT2) of O. rufipogon, but only two alleles (orf79a and orf79b) were observed in Or‐CT0 type of O. sativa, while no orf79 allele was found in other types of O. sativa. Our results also revealed that the orf79 alleles in cultivated rice originated from the wild rice population in South and South‐East Asia. In addition, strong positive selection pressure was detected on the sequence variations of orf79 alleles, and a special evolutionary strategy was noted in these gametophytic CMS‐related genes, suggesting that their divergence could be beneficial to their survival in evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to develop red rice flours in order to provide alternatives to replace conventional flours in the production of gluten‐free foods for people who suffers from celiac disease. To obtain the flour, red rice grains were dried at temperatures of 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80°C and air velocity of 1.5 m/s. Mathematical models (empirical and diffusive) were fitted to the experimental data obtained and, subsequently, the dehydrated grains were ground to obtain the flour, which was subjected to physicochemical and bioactive characterization to verify the impact of the applied temperatures on the final product quality. It was found that the Page model is more reliable to describe the drying kinetics of red rice, since it showed higher coefficients of determination (R2) and lower chi‐square (χ2). The diffusion model showed satisfactory fit, with coefficient of determination (R2) higher than 0.99 and chi‐square (χ2) lower than 0.0146659. Higher drying rate was found at the temperature of 80°C, but cracks were observed in the grains and there was greater degradation of anthocyanins. The pH, total titratable acidity, and flavonoids did not differ between the temperatures applied. Lower values of moisture content, water activity, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity were obtained in the grains subjected to temperature of 80°C. Therefore, the temperature of 40°C was the one that ensured greatest conservation of all bioactive compounds analyzed and greater antioxidant activity for all three methods. Practical applications: The diffusion model provides a realistic and physical interpretation of the drying operation, stimulating the correct time needed to reduce the moisture content of the material, of initial value at the equilibrium value. In this way, it is possible to save energy and reduce the degradation of bioactive compounds promoted by thermal damage, which material is submitted, in addition to aiming at the optimization of drying equipment projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weedy rice (Oryza spp.) is a worldwide weed of domesticated rice (O. sativa), considered particularly problematic due to its strong competition with the crop, which leads to reduction in yields and harvest quality. Several studies have established multiple independent origins for weedy rice populations in the United States and various parts of Asia; however, the origins of weedy rice in South America have not been examined in a global context. We evaluated the genetic variation of weedy rice populations in Colombia, as well as the contributions of local wild Oryza species, local cultivated varieties, and exotic Oryza groups to the weed, using polymorphism generated by genotyping by sequencing (GBS). We found no evidence for genomic contributions from local wild Oryza species (O. glumaepatula, O. grandiglumis, O. latifolia, and O. alta) to Colombian weedy rice. Instead, Colombian weedy rice has evolved from local indica cultivars and has also likely been inadvertently imported as an exotic pest from the United States. Additionally, weeds comprising de novo admixture between these distinct weedy populations now represent a large proportion of genomic backgrounds in Colombian weedy rice. Our results underscore the impressive ability of weedy rice to evolve through multiple evolutionary pathways, including in situ de‐domestication, range expansion, and hybridization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of vacuum‐assisted extrusion cooking on the properties of red rice extrudate was investigated. The rotatable central composite design was employed to determine the effect of independent variables on dependent variables. The process was optimized using an artificial neural network (ANN) and genetic algorithm (GA) The sensitivity analysis of independent variables was conducted and the screw speed showed the highest contribution on the product quality. The optimum condition obtained by ANN and GA was 77.5°C barrel temperature, 32.5% feed moisture, 350 rpm screw speed, and 300 mmHg vacuum level. The developed process was compared with the conventional extrusion process without employing a vacuum in terms of physicochemical and phytochemical properties. The extruded was contented 3.89 mg/L of anthocyanin, 0.021 µm/L of cyanidin‐3‐glucoside, and 3.21 µm/L of peonidin‐3‐glucoside. The vacuum‐assisted extrusion cooking showed to develop expanded extrudate at low temperatures with higher phytochemical retention. Practical applications: Extrusion cooking generally considers as a high‐temperature short time process. Due to high temperature and high shear, most of the bioactive compounds are deteriorated during extrusion cooking. Therefore, extruded are considered unhealthy for consumers. The outcome of the present investigation can enhance the retention of bioactive compounds in extruded products. The vacuum‐assisted extrusion could expand the extrudate at low temperatures and enhance the retention of bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weedy rice is morphologically similar to cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.). It has biological characteristics that identify it as a weed. Its important weedy characteristics, that is, early and heavy seed shattering, makes it very difficult to control. Weedy rice has not been reported to be an important weed problem in transplanted, flooded rice. However, the shift to direct‐seeded rice (DSR) due to water issues and high costs of labor has increased reports of weedy rice becoming an expanding important problem in Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Experts believe that the growing adoption of DSR in Asian countries will result in the rise of weedy rice as one of the top troublesome weeds in rice production. Early and recent surveys in the Philippines have indicated the urgent need to increase awareness of weedy rice among farmers to allow the implementation of a number of effective location‐specific weed management strategies. These surveys and other studies conducted since weedy rice was first reported in 1991 confirmed that weedy rice and grass weed species caused major problems in DSR areas. About 35% of the 4.56 M ha harvested area in the country is planted with DSR. As cultivated and weedy rice are close relatives, it would be very difficult to implement management options very early in crop growth. However, a deeper understanding of the underlying traits of weedy rice can help develop a holistic approach toward effective and economic weed management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oryza rufipogon and O. longistaminata are important wild relatives of cultivated rice, harboring a promising source of novel genes for rice breeding programs. Here, we present de novo assembled draft genomes and annotation of O. rufipogon and O. longistaminata. Our analysis reveals a considerable number of lineage‐specific gene families associated with the self‐incompatibility (SI) and formation of reproductive separation. We show how lineage‐specific expansion or contraction of gene families with functional enrichment of the recognition of pollen, thus enlightening their reproductive diversification. We documented a large number of lineage‐specific gene families enriched in salt stress, antifungal response, and disease resistance. Our comparative analysis further shows a genome‐wide expansion of genes encoding NBS‐LRR proteins in these two outcrossing wild species in contrast to six other selfing rice species. Conserved noncoding sequences (CNSs) in the two wild rice genomes rapidly evolve relative to selfing rice species, resulting in the reduction of genomic variation owing to shifts of mating systems. We find that numerous genes related to these rapidly evolving CNSs are enriched in reproductive structure development, flower development, and postembryonic development, which may associate with SI in O. rufipogon and O. longistaminata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]