Expression of starch-binding factor CBM20 in barley plastids controls the number of starch granules and the level of CO2 fixation.

The biosynthesis of starch granules in plant plastids is coordinated by the orchestrated action of transferases, hydrolases, and dikinases. These enzymes either contain starch-binding domain(s) themselves, or are dependent on direct interactions with co-factors containing starch-binding domains. As a means to competitively interfere with existing starch-protein interactions, we expressed the protein module Carbohydrate-Binding Motif 20 (CBM20), which has a very high affinity for starch, ectopically in barley plastids.

Detection of live larvae in cocoons of Bathyplectes curculionis (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) using visible/near-infrared multispectral imaging.

Background: The multispectral (MS) imaging system is a non-destructive method with potential to reduce the labour and time required for quality control in the production of beneficial arthropods such as the parasitoid Bathyplectes curculionis. In Denmark, a project is being undertaken that focuses on the possible use of B. curculionis in augmentative control of Hypera weevil pests in white clover seed production where cocoons of the parasitoid remain as a by-product of seed processing.

Host plant-dependent metabolism of 4-hydroxybenzylglucosinolate in Pieris rapae: substrate specificity and effects of genetic modification and plant nitrile hydratase.

After ingestion of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana CYP79A1 containing sinalbin (4-hydroxybenzylglucosinolate) due to genetic modification, only one major sinalbin-derived sulphate ester (the sulphate ester of 4-hydroxyphenylacetonitrile) was excreted by Pieris rapae caterpillars (corresponding to 69mol% of ingested sinalbin). An additional sulphate ester (the sulphate ester of 4-hydroxyphenylacetamide) was excreted when the caterpillars were reared on two plant species (Sinapis alba and Sinapis arvensis) that contained sinalbin naturally. Artificial addition of sinalbin to S.