Volatile compound biosynthesis by green leaves from an Arabidopsis thaliana hydroperoxide lyase knockout mutant

The degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acids through the lipoxygenase pathway is responsible for the production of volatile compounds that confer green sensory notes to the aroma of fruits and vegetables. The peroxidation of free linoleic or linolenic acid by action of lipoxygenase and then the lysis of the resulting hydroperoxides, through a reaction catalyzed by the hydroperoxide lyase, are the most determinant steps of this pathway. This work analyzes the impact of the hydroperoxide lyase depletion on the volatile composition of leaves from Arabidopsis thaliana that is used as model system. The work involves the characterization of the volatile profiles of the Arabidopsis plants followed by a study of the metabolism of radio-labeled linoleic acid and determinations of lipoxygenase activity. Hydroperoxide lyase-knockout plants show similar levels of C6 compounds, but the total amount of C5 compounds is 4-fold higher in mutant plants. The perspectives of production of vegetable products with a modified aroma by genetically engineering the lipoxygenase pathway were discussed with respect to the statistical results.     

Taking the "waste" out of "wastewater" for human water security and ecosystem sustainability

Humans create vast quantities of wastewater through inefficiencies and poor management of water systems. The wasting of water poses sustainability challenges, depletes energy reserves, and undermines human water security and ecosystem health. Here we review emerging approaches for reusing wastewater and minimizing its generation. These complementary options make the most of scarce freshwater resources, serve the varying water needs of both developed and developing countries, and confer a variety of environmental benefits. Their widespread adoption will require changing how freshwater is sourced, used, managed, and priced.     

Saccharomyces boulardii reduces infection intensity of mice with toxocariasis

Several studies have shown the benefit of the use of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of diseases; however, few of them have investigated the effect of probiotics on parasitosis. In this study, the effect of Saccharomyces boulardii on the intensity of infection of mice with toxocariasis was evaluated. The animals were fed with a diet supplemented with S. boulardii for 15 days before inoculation with Toxocara canis eggs and for 2 or 60 days post-inoculation. S. boulardii promoted a reduction of approximately 36% in the average number of recovered T. canis larvae, suggesting that it can be used as an alternative to help control toxocariasis.     

上海富朗特动物保健有限公司专栏——维生素营养(五)维生素缺乏导致家禽的神经性疾病

维生素是不同于脂肪、碳水化合物和蛋白质的有机化合物,以极微的含量自然存在于大多数食物中,以满足正常的生理功能.它们在家禽营养上的重要性被其缺乏时所出现的各种缺乏症所证实.它们扮演了有机体内的一系列角色,如抗氧化分子、基因转录调节器、神经递质和核酸的生物合成、细胞分裂驱动器、器官发育和胚胎形成,所有这些都可促进正常的神经功能.在家禽营养中,一种或多种维生素的缺乏会导致神经系统疾病,如周围神经病变、瘫痪、共济失调、反射消失、脑病、角弓反张、运动失调和抽搐.     

Research in olive oil: challenges for the near future

Olive oil, a traditional food product with thousands of years of history, is continually evolving toward a more competitive global market. Being one of the most studied foods across different disciplines, olive oil still needs intensive research activity to face some vulnerabilities and challenges. This perspective describes some of them and shows a vision of research on olive oil for the near future, bringing together those aspects that are more relevant for better understanding and protection of this edible oil. To accomplish the most urgent challenges, some possible strategies are outlined, taking advantage of the latest analytical advances, considering six areas: (i) olive growing; (ii) processing, byproduct, and environmental issues; (iii) virgin olive oil sensory quality; (iv) purity, authentication, and traceability; (v) health and nutrition; (vi) consumers. The coming research, besides achieving those challenges, would increase the understanding of some aspects that are still the subject of debate and controversy among scientists focused on olive oil.     

Brown trout redd superimposition in relation to spawning habitat availability

Abstract – The relationship between redd superimposition and spawning habitat availability was investigated in the brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) population inhabiting the river Castril (Granada, Spain). Redd surveys were conducted in 24 river sections to estimate the rate of redd superimposition. Used and available microhabitat was evaluated to compute the suitable spawning habitat (SSH) for brown trout. After analysing the microhabitat characteristics positively selected by females, SSH was defined as an area that met all the following five requirements: water depth between 10 and 50 cm, mean water velocity between 30 and 60 cm s^?1, bottom water velocity between 15 and 60 cm s^?1, substrate size between 4 and 30 mm and no embeddedness. Simple regression analyses showed that redd superimposition was not correlated with redd numbers, SSH or redd density. A simulation‐based analysis was performed to estimate the superimposition rate if redds were randomly placed inside the SSH. This analysis revealed that the observed superimposition rate was higher than expected in 23 of 24 instances, this difference being significant (P < 0.05) in eight instances and right at the limit of statistical significance (P = 0.05) in another eight instances. Redd superimposition was high in sections with high redd density. High superimposition however was not exclusive to sections with high redd density and was found in moderate‐ and low‐redd‐density sections. This suggests that factors other than habitat availability are also responsible for redd superimposition. We argue that female preference for spawning over previously excavated redds may be the most likely explanation for high superimposition at lower densities.     

Seroprevalence of Neospora spp. in asymptomatic horses in Italy

One hundred and fifty horses from Italy were tested for serum antibodies to Neospora caninum by indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Antibodies were present in 42 horses (28%). The positive titres were: 1:50 (16/150-10.5%), 1:100 (26/150-17%), 1:200 (8/150-5.3%) and 1:800 (1/150-0.6%). No neurological anomalies were observed in the seropositive horses. This is the first serologic survey for Neospora spp. antibodies performed on horses born and raised in Italy.     

Dietary Peptides from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus vulgaris</Emphasis> L. Reduced AOM/DSS-Induced Colitis-Associated Colon Carcinogenesis in Balb/c Mice

The aim was to evaluate the antineoplastic potential of a previously characterized peptide extract from the non-digestible fraction of common bean cv. Azufrado Higuera (AH) and its most abundant pure peptide GLTSK, in an azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS)-induced colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis Balb/c mice model. The healthy control (C-) had no induction and no treatment, and the induced control (C+) had induction but no treatment. Groups AH and GLTSK were administered 50 mg/kg-bw of AH or GLTSK, respectively. The administration of AH and GLTSK decreased (p < 0.05) the disease activity index (DAI) compared to C+ (5.8, 9.1, 11.8, respectively). Furthermore, AH reduced the number of evident neoplasms compared to group C+ (1.8, 5.9 neoplasms/mice, respectively). The results suggest that peptides from common bean cv. Azufrado Higuera could prevent colitis-associated colon carcinogenesis.