Toyoki Kozai

Bio: Toyoki Kozai is an academic researcher from Chiba University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Micropropagation & Plantlet. The author has an hindex of 48, co-authored 324 publications receiving 8248 citations. Previous affiliations of Toyoki Kozai include Tsinghua University & University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign.

Automation and environmental control in plant tissue culture

Abstract: Preface. Glossary. 1. Automation in plant tissue culture -- general introduction and overview J. Aitken-Christie, T. Kozai, S. Takayama. 2. Economic analysis of automated micropropagation I. Chu. 3. Economic aspects of somatic embryogenesis R. Cervelli, T. Senaratna. 4. Systems analysis and engineering P.N. Walker. 5. Engineering aspects of plant propagation in bioreactors P.H. Heyderdahl, O.A.S. Olsen, A.K. Hvoslef-Eide. 6. Mechanical engineering approaches to plant biotechnology Y. Miwa, Y. Kushihashi, T. Kozai. 7. Image analysis for plant cell culture and micropropagation M.A.L. Smith. 8. Image analysis for embryogenesis K. Kurata. 9. Automation of the bioreactor process for mass propagation and secondary metabolism R.R. Leathers, M.A.L. Smith, J. Aitken-Christie. 10. Delivery systems for tissue culture by encapsulation Y. Sakamoto, N. Onishi, T. Hirosawa. 11. A delivery system for naked somatic embryos of interior spruce D.R. Roberts, F.B. Webster, D.R. Cyr, T.K. Edmonds, S.M.A. Grimes, B.C.S. Sutton. 12. Automated systems for organogenesis K. Kurata. 13. Commercialisation of tissue culture and automated systems K.S. Wilson. 14. Environmental control in plant tissue culture -- General introduction and overview T. Kozai, M.A.L. Smith. 15. Physical microenvironment and its effects K. Fujiwara, T. Kozai. 16. Vessels, gels, liquid media, and support systems M.A.L. Smith, L.A. Spomer. 17. The chemical microenvironment R.R. Williams. 18. Carbon nutrition in vitro: Regulation and manipulation of carbon assimilation in micropropagated systems Y. Desjardins, C. Hdider, J. De Riek. 19. Ethylene D. Matthys, J. Gielis, P. Debergh. 20. In vitro acclimatization M. Ziv. 21. Low temperature storage of plant tissue cultures B.W.W. Grout. 22. Environmental measurement and control systems T. Kozai, Y. Kitaya, K. Fujiwara, M.A.L. Smith, J. Aitken-Christie. Index.

Resource use efficiency of closed plant production system with artificial light: Concept, estimation and application to plant factory

Abstract: Extensive research has recently been conducted on plant factory with artificial light, which is one type of closed plant production system (CPPS) consisting of a thermally insulated and airtight structure, a multi-tier system with lighting devices, air conditioners and fans, a CO2 supply unit, a nutrient solution supply unit, and an environment control unit. One of the research outcomes is the concept of resource use efficiency (RUE) of CPPS. This paper reviews the characteristics of the CPPS compared with those of the greenhouse, mainly from the viewpoint of RUE, which is defined as the ratio of the amount of the resource fixed or held in plants to the amount of the resource supplied to the CPPS. It is shown that the use efficiencies of water, CO2 and light energy are considerably higher in the CPPS than those in the greenhouse. On the other hand, there is much more room for improving the light and electric energy use efficiencies of CPPS. Challenging issues for CPPS and RUE are also discussed.

Melatonin in Glycyrrhiza uralensis: response of plant roots to spectral quality of light and UV-B radiation.

Abstract: Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is known to be synthesized and secreted by the pineal gland in vertebrates. Evidence for the occurrence of melatonin in the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis plants and the response of this plant to the spectral quality of light including red, blue and white light (control) and UV-B radiation (280-315 nm) for the synthesis of melatonin were investigated. Melatonin was extracted and quantified in seed, root, leaf and stem tissues and results revealed that the root tissues contained the highest concentration of melatonin; melatonin concentrations also increased with plant development. After 3 months of growth under red, blue and white fluorescent lamps, the melatonin concentrations were highest in red light exposed plants and varied depending on the wavelength of light spectrum in the following order red >> blue > or = white light. Interestingly, in a more mature plant (6 months) melatonin concentration was increased considerably; the increments in concentration were X4, X5 and X3 in 6-month-old red, blue and white light exposed (control) plants, respectively. The difference in melatonin concentrations between blue and white light exposed (control) plants was not significant. The concentration of melatonin quantified in the root tissues was highest in the plants exposed to high intensity UV-B radiation for 3 days followed by low intensity UV-B radiation for 15 days. The reduction of melatonin under longer periods of UV-B exposure indicates that melatonin synthesis may be related to the integrated (intensity and duration) value of UV-B irradiation. Melatonin in G. uralensis plant is presumably for protection against oxidative damage caused as a response to UV irradiation.

Plant Factory: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production

Abstract: Plant Factory: An Indoor Vertical Farming System for Efficient Quality Food Production provides information on a field that is helping to offset the threats that unusual weather and shortages of land and natural resources bring to the food supply. As alternative options are needed to ensure adequate and efficient production of food, this book represents the only available resource to take a practical approach to the planning, design, and implementation of plant factory (PF) practices to yield food crops. The PF systems described in this book are based on a plant production system with artificial (electric) lights and include case studies providing lessons learned and best practices from both industrial and crop specific programs. With insights into the economics as well as the science of PF programs, this book is ideal for those in academic as well as industrial settings. * Provides full-scope insight on plant farm, from economics and planning to life-cycle assessment* Presents state-of-the-art plant farm science, written by global leaders in plant farm advancements* Includes case-study examples to provide real-world insights

The Design and Analysis of Experiments

Abstract: THE DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF EXPERIMENTS. By Oscar Kempthorne. New York, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1952. 631 pp. $8.50. This book by a teacher of statistics (as well as a consultant for \"experimenters\") is a comprehensive study of the philosophical background for the statistical design of experiment. It is necessary to have some facility with algebraic notation and manipulation to be able to use the volume intelligently. The problems are presented from the theoretical point of view, without such practical examples as would be helpful for those not acquainted with mathematics. The mathematical justification for the techniques is given. As a somewhat advanced treatment of the design and analysis of experiments, this volume will be interesting and helpful for many who approach statistics theoretically as well as practically. With emphasis on the \"why,\" and with description given broadly, the author relates the subject matter to the general theory of statistics and to the general problem of experimental inference. MARGARET J. ROBERTSON

Effect of Temperature

Abstract: A positive temperature coefficient is the term which has been used to indicate that an increase in solubility occurs as the temperature is raised, whereas a negative coefficient indicates a decrease in solubility with rise in temperature.

One molecule, many derivatives: a never-ending interaction of melatonin with reactive oxygen and nitrogen species?

Abstract: Melatonin is a highly conserved molecule. Its presence can be traced back to ancient photosynthetic prokaryotes. A primitive and primary function of melatonin is that it acts as a receptor-independent free radical scavenger and a broad-spectrum antioxidant. The receptor-dependent functions of melatonin were subsequently acquired during evolution. In the current review, we focus on melatonin metabolism which includes the synthetic rate-limiting enzymes, synthetic sites, potential regulatory mechanisms, bioavailability in humans, mechanisms of breakdown and functions of its metabolites. Recent evidence indicates that the original melatonin metabolite may be N 1 -acetyl-N 2 -formyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AFMK) rather than its commonly measured urinary excretory product 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate. Numerous pathways for AFMK formation have been identified both in vitro and in vivo. These include enzymatic and pseudo-enzymatic pathways, interactions with reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive nitrogen species (RNS) and with ultraviolet irradiation. AFMK is present in mammals including humans, and is the only detectable melatonin metabolite in unicellular organisms and metazoans. 6-Hydroxymelatonin sulfate has not been observed in these low evolutionary-ranked organisms. This implies that AFMK evolved earlier in evolution than 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate as a melatonin metabolite. Via the AFMK pathway, a single melatonin molecule is reported to scavenge up to 10 ROS/RNS. That the free radical scavenging capacity of melatonin extends to its secondary, tertiary and quaternary metabolites is now documented. It appears that melatonin's interaction with ROS/RNS is a prolonged process that involves many of its derivatives. The process by which melatonin and its metabolites successively scavenge ROS/RNS is referred as the free radical scavenging cascade. This cascade reaction is a novel property of melatonin and explains how it differs from other conventional antioxidants. This cascade reaction makes melatonin highly effective, even at low concentrations, in protecting organisms from oxidative stress. In accordance with its protective function, substantial amounts of melatonin are found in tissues and organs which are frequently exposed to the hostile environmental insults such as the gut and skin or organs which have high oxygen consumption such as the brain. In addition, melatonin production may be upregulated by low intensity stressors such as dietary restriction in rats and exercise in humans. Intensive oxidative stress results in a rapid drop of circulating melatonin levels. This melatonin decline is not related to its reduced synthesis but to its rapid consumption, i.e. circulating melatonin is rapidly metabolized by interaction with ROS/RNS induced by stress. Rapid melatonin consumption during elevated stress may serve as a protective mechanism of organisms in which melatonin is used as a first-line defensive molecule against oxidative damage. The oxidative status of organisms modifies melatonin metabolism. It has been reported that the higher the oxidative state, the more AFMK is produced. The ratio of AFMK and another melatonin metabolite, cyclic 3-hydroxymelatonin, may serve as an indicator of the level of oxidative stress in organisms.

Review of Pharmacological Effects of Glycyrrhiza sp. and its Bioactive Compounds

Abstract: The roots and rhizomes of licorice (Glycyrrhiza) species have long been used worldwide as a herbal medicine and natural sweetener. Licorice root is a traditional medicine used mainly for the treatment of peptic ulcer, hepatitis C, and pulmonary and skin diseases, although clinical and experimental studies suggest that it has several other useful pharmacological properties such as antiinflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidative, anticancer activities, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective and cardioprotective effects. A large number of components have been isolated from licorice, including triterpene saponins, flavonoids, isoflavonoids and chalcones, with glycyrrhizic acid normally being considered to be the main biologically active component. This review summarizes the phytochemical, pharmacological and pharmacokinetics data, together with the clinical and adverse effects of licorice and its bioactive components.