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To study the function of LeERF1 in ethylene triple response on etiolated seedling, plant development and fruit ripening and softening, LeERF1 gene was introduced into tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. No. 4 Zhongshu) through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The sense LeERF1 and anti-sense LeERF1 transgenic tomato were obtained. Overexpression of LeERF1 in tomato caused the typical ethylene triple response on etiolated seedling. In the adult stage, 35S::LeERF1 resulted in morphological changes in the leaves of the LeERF1-sn lines. Anti-sense LeERF1 fruits had longer shelf life compared with wild-type tomato. The results of this manuscript indicated that LeERF1 positively mediated the ethylene signals, while the function of LeERF1 was verified for the first time to be positively related with ethylene triple response on etiolated seedling, plant development and fruit ripening and softening using LeERF1-sn, wt and LeERF1-as tomato.

The occurrence of hard or "stone" seeds in shipments of food grade soybeans can cause serious problems in processing, particularly in the preparation of fermented soy products. Climatic conditions during the growing season and as the seed matures may trigger the production of hard seeds. Total water absorption of soybeans is also a significant parameter in assessing quality for export markets. The seed coats of six varieties of soybeans, covering a wide range of water absorption and stone seed content, were analyzed for ash and cations, protein, lignin, and complex carbohydrates. The water absorption characteristics and macrochemical constituents of the whole seed were also determined. The results indicated that there was no correlation between the concentration of any of the cations and the occurrence of hard seeds. The results from analysis of the complex carbohydrates indicated there were differences in hemicellulose content of seed coat fractions, particularly xylans, that correlated with the water uptake ratio and the occurrence of hard seeds.

Alliin (S-allyl cysteine sulfoxide) is a bioactive sulfoxide compound derived from garlic. To evaluate the preventive effect of alliin against metabolic risk factors in diet induced obese (DIO) mice, we treated the C57BL/6J DIO mice with drinking water with or without alliin (0.1 mg/ml) for 8 weeks. Results showed that alliin had no significant effect on the body weight, adiposity or energy balance. However, alliin treatment enhanced glucose homeostasis, increased insulin sensitivity and improved the lipid profile in the DIO mice. This was, at least partly, attributable to alliin induced modulation of the intestinal microbiota composition, typically decreased Lachnospiraceae and increased Ruminococcaceae. From above, we conclude that alliin has nutraceutical or even medicinal potential in prevention of diabetes and lipid metabolic disorders.

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