Changes in the flavonoid and phenolic acid contents and antioxidant activity of red leaf lettuce (Lollo Rosso) due to cultivation under plastic films varying in ultraviolet transparency

Red leaf lettuce (Lollo Rosso) was grown under three types of plastic films that varied in transparency to UV radiation (designated as UV block, UV low, and UV window). Flavonoid composition was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), total phenolics by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay, and antioxidant capacity by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. Exposure to increased levels of UV radiation during cultivation caused the leaves to redden and increased concentrations of total phenols and the main flavonoids, quercetin and cyanidin glycosides, as well as luteolin conjugates and phenolic acids. The total phenol content increased from 1.6 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g of fresh weight (FW) for lettuce grown under UV block film to 2.9 and 3.5 mg of GAE/g of FW for lettuce grown under the UV low and UV window films. The antioxidant activity was also higher in lettuce exposed to higher levels of UV radiation with ORAC values of 25.4 and 55.1 micromol of Trolox equivalents/g of FW for lettuce grown under the UV block and UV window films, respectively. The content of phenolic acids, quantified as caffeic acid, was also different, ranging from 6.2 to 11.1 micromol/g of FW for lettuce cultivated under the lowest and highest UV exposure plastic films, respectively. Higher concentrations of the flavonoid glycosides were observed with increased exposure to UV radiation, as demonstrated by the concentrations of aglycones after hydrolysis, which were cyanidin (ranging from 165 to 793 microg/g), quercetin (ranging from 196 to 880 microg/g), and luteolin (ranging from 19 to 152 microg/g). The results demonstrate the potential of the use of UV-transparent plastic as a means of increasing beneficial flavonoid content of red leaf lettuce when the crop is grown in polytunnels.     

Chemistry and bioactivity of royal jelly from Greece

Twenty-five compounds were identified from the dichloromethane and methanol extracts of royal jelly from Greece. Among them, 16 compounds are reported for the first time as royal jelly constituents, whereas 7 of them are isolated for the first time as natural products. The 7 new compounds were fatty acid derivatives: 10-acetoxydecanoic acid (1), trans-10-acetoxydec-2-enoic acid (2), 11-oxododecanoic acid (3), (11S)-hydroxydodecanoic acid (4), (10R,11R)-dihydroxydodecanoic acid (5), 3,11-dihydroxydodecanoic acid (6), and (11S),12-dihydroxydodecanoic acid (7). The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods, mainly by the concerted application of 1D and 2D NMR techniques (HMQC, HMBC) and mass spectrometry. The studied sample and the isolated compounds were tested for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi and exhibited interesting activities.     

Association between physical properties of cervical mucus and ovulation rate in superovulated cows

Possible associations between certain physical properties of cervical mucus (CM) and ovulation rate were studied in 21 superovulated Holstein cows. In CM samples collected at the beginning of estrus (0 h) and in 4 h intervals for the following 24 h, the pH, the spinnbarkeit (spinability), and the crystallization value were measured. Blood samples, collected at the same time points with CM samples, were assessed for progesterone and estradiol concentrations. At 48 h the number of ovulated follicles was counted by transrectal ultrasonography and the animals were allotted into 2 groups according to the occurrence of at least one (group A, n = 16) or no (group B, n = 5) ovulations. The pH was lower (P < 0.05) at 8 h (7.00 + 0.24) in group A compared with group B (7.55 + 0.12). In group A, spinnbarkeit was significantly lower at 0 h and 20 h, and higher at 8 h and 16 h compared with group B (0 h: 2.50 + 0.82 versus 6.95 + 0.41; 20 h: 3.00 + 1.89 versus 5.38 + 0.94; 8 h: 7.00 + 0.87 versus 2.75 + 0.43; 16 h: 7.00 + 1.41 versus 4.30 + 0.71, for groups A versus B, respectively). Crystallization was significantly lower at 4 h (2.00 + 0.63) and 20 h (1.50 + 0.82) in group A compared with group B (3.13 + 0.32 at 4 h and 3.00 + 0.41 at 20 h). Progesterone at all time points, and estradiol at 16 h, 20 h, and 24 h were lower (P < 0.05) in group A than in group B. The pH, crystallization, estradiol, and progesterone differed (P < 0.05) within one group, while sbk differed within both groups.Our results imply that during the periovulatory period, steadily low progesterone concentrations trigger alterations of certain CM characteristics, while extremely high estradiol concentration could prevent the occurrence of these alterations.     

Enhanced squalene production by wild-type Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains using safe chemical means

Interest is increasing in establishing renewable sources for squalene, a functional lipid, as the conventional ones are limited. In the present study, squalene production was achieved in a wild-type laboratory Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain by two safe chemical means using terbinafine (0.05-0.55 mM) and methyl jasmonate (MJ) (0-1.00 mM). Bioprocess kinetics optimized by response surface methodology and monitored by high-performance liquid chromatography revealed a clear dependence of growth and squalene content (SQC) and yield (SQY) on the above regulators. Maximum SQC (10.02±0.53 mg/g dry biomass) and SQY (20.70±1.00 mg/L) were achieved using 0.442 mM terbinafine plus 0.044 mM MJ after 28 h and 0.300 mM terbinafine after 30 h, respectively. A 10-fold increase in SQY was achieved in comparison to that in the absence of regulator. The ruggedness of optimum conditions for SQY was verified for five industrial strains. The cellular lipid fraction (～12% of dry biomass) was rich in squalene (12-13%). Results are encouraging toward bioprocess scale up.     

Phenolic composition of the Brazilian seedless table grape varieties BRS Clara and BRS Morena

The detailed phenolic composition (anthocyanins, flavonols, hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, stilbenes, and flavan-3-ols) in the skin and flesh of the new BRS Clara and BRS Morena seedless table grapes has been studied using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS. The two grapes, especially BRS Morena, contained high amounts of phenolic compounds, mainly located in their skins and qualitatively not different from those found in Vitis vinifera grapes. In addition, BRS Morena (a teinturier variety) showed qualitatively different phenolic compositions in its skin and flesh, mainly affecting the anthocyanin and flavonol profiles. Consistent with high phenolic contents, high antioxidant capacity values were registered for both grape varieties, especially for BRS Morena. Proanthocyanidins and hydroxycinnamoyl-tartaric acids were the major phenolic compounds found in BRS Clara and were also important in BRS Morena, although anthocyanins were the main phenolic compounds in the latter case. These results suggest that the entire grapes, including the skin, may potentially possess properties that are beneficial to human health. In this context, the BRS Morena grape can be considered as a high resveratrol producer.     

Chia (Salvia hispanica) Fodder Yield and Quality as Affected by Sowing Rates and Organic Fertilization

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sowing rates and organic fertilization on growth and yield biomass quality of chia crop. The agronomic performance and nutritive value of chia were analyzed in order to define alternatives to local forages for dry-season feeding of ruminants in the Mediterranean region. Two sowing rates were arranged in the main plots and three levels of organic fertilization in the subplot with three replicates in split-plot design. Chia growth was not affected by sowing rates and fertilization. Concerning the dry weight and leaf area index (LAI), there were no significant differences among fertilization treatments while sowing rates influenced both dry and LAI, which were significantly increased as sowing rates increased. Forage quality traits were not significantly influenced by sowing rates. With regard to crude protein content, fertilization treatments had a positive effect. The greatest values were observed under manure treatment. Moreover, significant increases were revealed in the crude protein yield as sowing rates increased. In addition, acid detergent fiber (ADF) as well as neutral detergent fiber (NDF) were not affected by sowing rates but there were significant differences between fertilization treatments. Data suggest that chia could be successfully used as an alternative forage crop.     

Mycorrhizal fungi increase biocontrol potential of Pseudomonas fluorescens

Wheat roots are susceptible to colonisation by soil-borne pathogens, such as Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici (Ggt), which causes the globally important disease take-all, and mutualistic arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Certain rhizosphere fluorescent Pseudomonas strains have received much attention as potential biocontrol agents given their ability to produce antibiotics, such as 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG), that confer a measure of plant protection. Here we show that Pseudomonas fluorescens only produced DAPG in the presence of soluble carbon from soil containing either Ggt or AMF, and production increased by two orders of magnitude in response to both AMF and Ggt. Encouragement of mycorrhizal colonisation may therefore offer a sustainable strategy for protection against take-all.     

Putting the farmer’s face on food: governance and the producer–consumer relationship in local food systems

Local food systems (LFSs) have grown in popularity around the world in recent years. Their framing often emphasizes the re-connection of producers and consumers against the “faceless” and “placeless” industrial agriculture. However, previous research suggests that such romanticized narratives may not keep up with reality. This relates to the transformative potential of LFSs and to whether they actually generate alternative modes of social organization that challenge problematic aspects of the food system. We place our focus on the practices and narratives that construct the producer/consumer relationship and show how these systems are governed. Our fieldwork was carried out in two LFSs in two distinct settings: community supported agriculture groups in NYC and responsible consumption communities in Catalonia, Spain. Three main types of practices and narratives are identified: sharing, negotiation and utilization practices, and narratives. Our findings reveal great heterogeneity between the two LFSs and show how intermediates participate in the producer/consumer relationship.     

Promoting Lifelong Learning and Satisfying Farmers' Social and Psychological Needs Through Farmer Field Schools: Views From Rural Greece

Farmer field schools (FFS) represent an alternative lifelong learning approach aimed at enhancing farmers' competences and skills through nonformal education. In this study we examined if farmers' participation in FFS is motivated by their social-psychological needs and whether these needs can be fulfilled through participation in FFS. Findings revealed that the possibility to participate in FFS is higher for farmers who experience lower levels of closeness and connectedness with their community peers and for those who score low on belongingness satisfaction. Furthermore, our analysis confirmed that FFS attendance increases felt community acceptance and facilitates the satisfaction of the belongingness need.     

Effect of geraniol,a plant-based alcohol monoterpene oil,against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Meloidogyne javanica</Emphasis>

In continuing previous work on the role of AAA+ proteins of the apple proliferation agent ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma mali’ in phytoplasma virulence and suppression of virulence, 147 full-length deduced protein sequences of AAA+ ATPase AP460 of single- and multiple-strain accessions were examined. This approach revealed that in this protein two regions can be distinguished. Region 1, located in the N-terminal part, is characterized by 14 highly conserved substitutions associated with the suppression of virulence. However, these substitutions were not present in all attenuated strains. In the more diverse region 2, located in the C-terminal part, highly conserved substitutions associated with two groups of virulence were identified. In addition to the virulence-related residues, three other groups of conserved substitutions are present in strains with attenuated virulence with or without the presence of suppression-associated substitutions in region 1. In one of these groups, substitutions next to key residues of the ATPase motifs sensor 1 and 2 and arginine finger do occur that seem to affect ATPase function. This group of substitution was present in all attenuated strains. From these findings it can be concluded that two different mechanisms of suppression exist of which the supposed effect on ATPase function seems to be more important than the suppression-associated substitutions in region 1. The presence of virulent, avirulent and suppressive strains in a tree leads in the commonly occurring multiple infections to interactions in which the resulting virulence is determined by the numerical relation of virulent and attenuated strains.