Influence of High Molecular Weight (HMW) and Low Molecular Weight (LMW) Glutenin Subunits Controlled by Glu‐1 and Glu‐3 Loci on Durum Wheat Quality

The progenies of four intervarietal durum wheat crosses were used to determine the effects of glutenin variants coded at Glu‐1 and Glu‐3 loci on durum wheat quality properties. The F₂ lines were analyzed for high molecular weight (HMW) and low molecular weight (LMW) glutenin composition by electrophoresis. Whole grain derived F₃ and F₄ samples were analyzed for vitreousness, protein, and dry gluten contents, gluten index, SDS sedimentation volume, mixograph, and alveograph properties. Allelic variation at the Glu‐B1 and Glu‐B3 loci affected gluten quality significantly. Comparisons among the Glu‐B3 and Glu‐B1 loci indicated that the LMW glutenin subunits controlled by Glu‐B3 c and j made the largest positive contribution, followed by the alleles a, k, and b. HMW glutenin subunits 14+15 gave larger SDS values and higher mixing development times than subunits 7+8 and 20. The positive effects of the glutenin subunits LMW c and HMW 14+15 were additive. Flour protein content, vitreousness, and mixograph peak height values were positively correlated with each other as well as with Dglut values, whereas the SDS sedimentation highly correlated with mixing development time, alveograph strength, and extensibility but was not correlated with the other parameters. The results of quality analysis, together with the results of the genetic analysis, led to the conclusion that SDS sedimentation, mixograph mixing development time, and peak breakdown are the tests more influenced by allelic variation of prolamin. The uses of the results in durum wheat quality breeding programs are discussed.     

The role of bioclimatic features,landscape configuration and historical land use in the invasion of an Asian tree in subtropical Argentina

Context

Knowing which factors determine the spread of plant invaders is a relevant issue in global ecology. Cultural landscapes both influence and are affected by exotic species. Although bioclimatic boundaries, seed sources and landscape configuration all control the invasion process, they have been mostly studied separately and independently from their distant drivers.

Objectives

We followed a multiscale approach to describe the invasion dynamics of the Asian tree (Ligustrum lucidum) in subtropical NW Argentina cultural landscapes by: (1) identifying the potential bioclimatic area of invasion, (2) mapping the currently invaded area in peri-urban focal sectors, and (3) quantitatively describing the landscape-scale patterns of invasion in relation to environmental and cultural variables.

Method

Niche models were used to map potential invasion area, remote sensing, GIS and field surveys to map patterns of invasion and their association to landscape and environmental variables.

Results

Climate suitability to L. lucidum extends over important ranges of the studied area, but currently invaded areas are mostly restricted to clusters around the main cities. The historical and demographic features of cities (e.g., date foundation, population) are important in predicting invaded forest location and spread. At local scale, invasion is associated to abandoned fields nearby urban centers, roads and rivers.

Conclusions

The invasion patterns of L. lucidum reflect the combined effect of historical socioeconomic connections between Asia and America, as well as the local cultural landscape history and configuration. Teleconnected cultural landscapes need to be explored as a theoretical framework for the study of biological invasions in the Anthropocene.

     

Low energy consumption seasonal calendar for sectoring operation in pressurized irrigation networks

Pressurized irrigation networks and organized on-demand are usually constrained by the high amounts of energy required for their operation. In this line, sectoring, where farmers are organized in turns, is one of the most efficient measures to reduce their energy consumption. In this work, a methodology for optimal sectoring is developed. Initially it groups similar hydrants in homogeneous groups according to the distance to the pumping station and their elevation, using cluster analysis techniques and certain dimensionless coordinates. Second, an algorithm based on the EPANET engine is implemented to search for the best monthly sectoring strategy that accomplish supplying the actual irrigation demand under minimum energy consumption conditions. This methodology is applied to two Spanish irrigation districts (Fuente Palmera and El Villar). Results showed that organizing the networks in sectors, annual energy savings of 8 and 5% were achieved for Fuente Palmera and El Villar when the theoretic irrigation needs were considered. However, these savings rose up to 27 and 9%, respectively when the local practices, deficit irrigation, were taken into account. Thus, they confirm that water and energy efficiency cannot be optimized independently and need to be considered together.     

The high and low molecular weight glutenin subunit polymorphism of Algerian durum wheat landraces and old cultivars

The high molecular weight (HMW) and B‐zone low molecular weight (B‐LMW) glutenin subunit composition of 45 Algerian durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) landraces and old cultivars were examined by sodium‐dodecyl‐sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PAGE). Nine accessions were heterogeneous and presented two or three genotypes. All together, 33 glutenin patterns were detected, including 12 for HMW and 15 for B‐LMW glutenin subunits. Twenty‐four different alleles were identified for the five glutenin loci studied, Glu‐A1 (3), Glu‐B1 (6), Glu‐A3 (8), Glu‐B3 (5) and Glu‐B2 (2). Five new alleles were found, three at Glu‐A3 and two at Glu‐B3. At the Glu‐1 loci, the Glu‐A1c‐Glu‐B1e allelic composition was predominant (31%). For the B‐LMW glutenins, the most common allelic composition was Glu‐A3a‐Glu‐B3a‐Glu‐B2a (36%). The collection analysed shows a high percentage of glutenin alleles and allele combinations related to high gluten strength, together with some others that have not been tested so far. This information could be useful to select local varieties with improved quality and also as a source of genes to develop new lines when breeding for quality.     

Synthesis of 4-hydroxy-7,8-dimethoxyisochroman-3-one and its plant growth-regulating properties on tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Petit Havana)

The synthesis of 6,7-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyisochroman-3-one 10 from 2,3-dimethoxytoluene (11) via glyoxylate 12 is reported. Compound 10 strongly inhibited vegetative growth of tobacco plants, whereas developmental patterns (protein levels, protein profile, pigments, and chlorophylls) were not affected. Morphological changes were observed in the leaves of the treated plants.     

Diallel analysis of maize inbred lines for carotenoids and grain yield

Vitamin A deficiency causes xerophthalmia in preschool-aged children worldwide. The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters that would be useful in selecting parent plants for developing productive hybrids with higher levels of provitamin A in the maize kernel. A complete 7 × 7 diallel mating scheme was used to generate 21 single-cross hybrids. The F₁ crosses and check hybrids were evaluated in complete block design across three different Brazilian environments, and carotenoid content was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography. General combining ability effects were significant for all traits except α-carotene This result indicates that the contribution of the additive effect was more important for provitamin A and other carotenoids and, consequently that there is high chance of improving this trait through recurrent selection methods. Line 3 produced the highest level of kernel provitamin A among the inbred lines evaluated and also demonstrated the potential to contribute to the development of genetic materials with a good performance for provitamin A. Inbred lines 1, 6, and 7 showed a higher concentration of favorable alleles for grain yield, and inbred lines 3 and 6 exhibited a higher concentration of favorable alleles for β-carotene. Hybrid 1 × 3 performed well in terms of provitamin A and grain yield and combination 2 × 3 was the best performer in terms of lutein content.     

Functional and Bioactive Properties of Peptides Derived from Marine Side Streams

In fish processing, a great amount of side streams, including skin, bones, heads and viscera, is wasted or downgraded as feed on a daily basis. These side streams are rich sources of bioactive nitrogenous compounds and protein, which can be converted into peptides through enzymatic hydrolysis as well as bacterial fermentation. Peptides are short or long chains of amino acids differing in structure and molecular weight. They can be considered as biologically active as they can contribute to physiological functions in organisms with applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. In the food industry, such bioactive peptides can be used as preservatives or antioxidants to prevent food spoilage. Furthermore, peptides contain several functional qualities that can be exploited as tools in modifying food ingredient solubility, water-holding and fat-binding capacity and gel formation. In the pharmaceutical industry, peptides can be used as antioxidants, but also as antihypertensive, anticoagulant and immunomodulatory compounds, amongst other functions. On the basis of their properties, peptides can thus be used in the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals. This review focuses on the bioactive peptides derived from seafood side streams and discusses their technological properties, biological activities and applications.