E-cinnamic acid derivatives and phenolics from Chilean strawberry fruits, Fragaria chiloensis ssp. chiloensis

Three E-cinnamic acid glycosides, tryptophan, and cyanidin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside were isolated from ripe fruits of the Chilean strawberry Fragaria chiloensis ssp. chiloensis. 1-O-E-Cinnamoyl-beta-D-xylopyranoside, 1-O-E-cinnamoyl-beta-D-rhamnopyranoside, and 1-O-E-cinnamoyl-alpha-xylofuranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranose are reported for the first time. The cinnamic acid glycosides and aromatic compound patterns in F. chiloensis fruits were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC analyses of extracts showed that cyanidin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside and free ellagic acid are present in achenes while the E-cinnamoyl derivatives and tryptophan were identified only in the thalamus. The free radical scavenging effect of the fruit extract can be associated with the anthocyanin content.     

Lipid composition of lees from Sherry wine

In this paper, we describe the study and characterization of the lipids from lees of Sherry wine, one of the main byproducts from the wine-making industry in the Jerez/Xeres/Sherry denomination of the origin zone in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. The lipid content, extractability, classification, fatty acid composition, and its main chemical characteristics have been determined in order to evaluate their potential use as a food or food additive.     

Analysis of beta-casein-monopalmitin mixed films at the air-water interface

The surface pressure (pi)-area (A) isotherms and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) images of monopalmitin and beta-casein mixed films spread on buffered water at pHs 5 and 7 and at 20 degrees C were determined as a function of the mass fraction of monopalmitin in the mixture (X). The structural characteristics and morphology of monopalmitin-beta-casein mixed films are dependent on surface pressure, pH, and monolayer composition. The prevalence of monopalmitin in the interface increases with the amount of monopalmitin in the mixture and at higher pi. At the monopalmitin monolayer collapse the mixed film is practically dominated by the presence of monopalmitin. However, some degree of interactions exist between monopalmitin and beta-casein in the mixed film, and these interactions are more pronounced as the monolayer is compressed at the highest surface pressures.     

Tagetolone and tagetenolone: two phytotoxic polyketides from Alternaria tagetica

Two new phytotoxic polyketides, tagetolone (1) and tagetenolone (2), in addition to tyrosol and p-hydroxybenzoic acid, have been isolated from the organic crude extract of culture filtrates from the fungal pathogen Alternaria tagetica. Complete characterization of all structures was carried out following a careful analysis of their spectroscopic data (IR, MS, (1)H and (13)C NMR, and 2D NMR experiments).     

Spatio-temporal heterogeneity effects on seedling growth and establishment in four <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus</Emphasis> species

Introduction   

The great spatial and temporal heterogeneity of Mediterranean ecosystems can influence establishment success in woody species, whose natural regeneration occurs to a very small extent. In this work, the effect of the spatial pattern of environmental variables (light availability, soil moisture and herbaceous production) on seedling emergence, growth, survival and establishment success was examined by using a spatially explicit approach.     

Effect of accelerated autolysis of yeast on the composition and foaming properties of sparkling wines elaborated by a champenoise method

Five mutants (obtained by UV mutagenesis) and the parent strain were selected to produce sparkling wines following the traditional or champenoise method. The wines were aged with the yeast for 9 months, with samples being taken each month for analytical and sensory determinations. The wines elaborated with mutant strain IFI473I demonstrated an accelerated release of protein, amino acids, and polysaccharides. An analysis of the secreted polysaccharides revealed that mannose was the major sugar present. The effects of the products released by yeasts on the foaming properties of the wines were determined by both sensory and instrumental analysis. In all cases, the wines elaborated with mutant strain IFI473I showed improved foaming properties as compared to wines fermented without this strain. Similar results were obtained at a decreased aging time of 6 months, thereby confirming the capacity of IFI473I strain to carry out an accelerated autolysis. These results demonstrate that mutant strain IFI473I can significantly reduce production times of high-quality sparkling wines.     

Olive fruit cell wall: degradation of pectic polysaccharides during ripening

Olive fruits at three stages of ripening (green, cherry, and black) have been studied. After cell wall isolation, the compositions of the cell wall and that of the phosphate-soluble polysaccharides were determined. In cell walls, decreases in arabinose, xylose, glucose, and uronic acid levels were observed, together with a slight increase in mannose on ripening. At the beginning of ripening, fragments of pectic polymers were the major constituents of the phosphate-soluble fraction, with the hemicellulosic ones increasing toward the end of the process. The molecular weight of the fragments solubilized was approximately 6 kDa. After cell wall fractionation, the pectic polysaccharides soluble in imidazole and sodium carbonate were also studied. In both fractions, between the green and cherry stages of ripening, a significant loss of homogalacturonans took place. Between the cherry and black stages of ripening, rhamnogalacturonan side chains were also released in addition to homogalacturonans. In any of the pectic fractions, changes in apparent molecular weight were quantified.     

PCR-SSCP: a simple method for the authentication of grouper (Epinephelus guaza), wreck fish (Polyprion americanus), and Nile perch (Lates niloticus) fillets

A method of DNA analysis has been developed to verify the authenticity of grouper (Epinephelus guaza), wreck fish (Polyprion americanus), and Nile perch (Lates niloticus) fillets. A short fragment (208 bp) of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and analyzed by single-strand conformation polymorphism to get species-specific patterns of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). DNA strands were separated by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and visualized by silver staining. Discrimination among the three fish species studied was possible, because each one expressed a specific ssDNA pattern.     

Animal versus wind dispersal and the robustness of tree species to deforestation

Studies suggest that populations of different species do not decline equally after habitat loss. However, empirical tests have been confined to fine spatiotemporal scales and have rarely included plants. Using data from 89,365 forest survey plots covering peninsular Spain, we explored, for each of 34 common tree species, the relationship between probability of occurrence and the local cover of remaining forest. Twenty-four species showed a significant negative response to forest loss, so that decreased forest cover had a negative effect on tree diversity, but the responses of individual species were highly variable. Animal-dispersed species were less vulnerable to forest loss, with six showing positive responses to decreased forest cover. The results imply that plant-animal interactions help prevent the collapse of forest communities that suffer habitat destruction.     

Development of transgenic fungi that kill human malaria parasites in mosquitoes

Metarhizium anisopliae infects mosquitoes through the cuticle and proliferates in the hemolymph. To allow M. anisopliae to combat malaria in mosquitoes with advanced malaria infections, we produced recombinant strains expressing molecules that target sporozoites as they travel through the hemolymph to the salivary glands. Eleven days after a Plasmodium-infected blood meal, mosquitoes were treated with M. anisopliae expressing salivary gland and midgut peptide 1 (SM1), which blocks attachment of sporozoites to salivary glands; a single-chain antibody that agglutinates sporozoites; or scorpine, which is an antimicrobial toxin. These reduced sporozoite counts by 71%, 85%, and 90%, respectively. M. anisopliae expressing scorpine and an [SM1](8):scorpine fusion protein reduced sporozoite counts by 98%, suggesting that Metarhizium-mediated inhibition of Plasmodium development could be a powerful weapon for combating malaria.