Residue potential of norsesquiterpene glycosides in tissues of cattle fed Austral bracken (Pteridium esculentum)

Austral bracken, Pteridium esculentum , occurs widely in Australian grazing lands and contains both the known carcinogen ptaquiloside and its hydroxy analogue, ptesculentoside, with untested carcinogenic potential. Calves were fed a diet containing 19% P. esculentum that delivered 1.8 mg of ptaquiloside and 4.0 mg of ptesculentoside per kilogram of body weight (bw) per day to explore the carcass residue potential of these compounds. Concentrations of ptaquiloside and ptesculentoside in the liver, kidney, skeletal muscle, heart, and blood of these calves were determined as their respective elimination products, pterosin B and pterosin G, by HPLC-UV analysis. Plasma concentrations of up to 0.97 μg/mL ptaquiloside and 1.30 μg/mL ptesculentoside were found, but were shown to deplete to <10% of these values within 24 h of bracken consumption. Both glycosides were also detected in all tissues assayed, with ptesculentoside appearing to be more residual than ptaquiloside. Up to 0.42 and 0.32 μg/g ptesculentoside was present in skeletal muscle and liver, respectively, 15 days after bracken consumption ended. This detection of residual glycosides in tissues of cattle feeding on Austral bracken raises health concerns for consumers and warrants further investigation.     

Occurrence and distribution of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) crops from organic production

Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were quantified by GC-ECD in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) during a vegetation period. Plants were harvested at 15, 60, and 151 days after seed germination. Leaves, stem, roots, and fruit (peel and flesh) were analyzed separately. The results showed that tomato plants were able to accumulate OCPs from soils, and a trend to reach the equilibrium among tissues at mature stages was also observed. Endosulfans comprised the main OCP group, probably due to its spray during summer months in the surrounding areas. Banned pesticides such as DDTs, heptachlor, and dieldrin were found. OCPs levels in the fruit were below the maximum residues limits (MRL) considered by the Codex Alimentarius. DDE/DDT and alpha-/gamma-HCH ratios of <1 would indicate recent inputs of DDT and lindane in the environment. The occurrence of OCPs in the study farm, where agrochemicals have never been used, is a result of atmospheric deposition of those pesticides.     

Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and RAPD variation among wild barley (Hordeum. vulgare subsp. spontaneum) populations from west Turkey

Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) and Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were used to analyze genetic distance among H. vulgare subsp. spontaneum populations from west Turkey. Fifty-five RAPD and 10 ISSR primers were used to detect variation among sample. A total of 55 polymorphic loci were found using 65 primers. Two distinct cluster groups were clearly established among populations. The minimum variation was detected between Pinarbasi and Bornova (GD = 0.192) populations and the maximum was found between Icmeler and Aydin populations (GD = 0.926). As two dominant markers, RAPD and ISSRs are effective and promising marker systems for detecting genetic variation.     

Mapping the habitats of rare animals in the Tanami wildlife sanctuary (Central Australia): An application of satellite imagery

Digitally enhanced Landsat imagery was used to locate a habitat suitable for the re-introduction of rufous hare-wallabies Lagorchestes hirsutus, presently known only from one location in central Australia. By remote sensing, it was possible to survey 65 000 km² and locate three potential sites which were then checked in the field. The method reported here required two weeks for computer enhancement of the imagery and two for field survey. It is thus appropriate to the rapid assessment of rare animal habitat distributions over large areas.The ecological setting of the region in general and the habitat of the rare macropods are examined first in terms of local topography and fire history. The second section reviews techniques for the use of satellite imagery and describes the specialised enhancements utilised. The results of field investigations of sites selected from the Landsat imagery are then reported.     

Isolation and HPLC quantitative analysis of flavonoid glycosides from Brazilian beverages (Maytenus ilicifolia and M. aquifolium)

Aqueous infusions of Brazilian Maytenus leaves are used as beverages, foodstuffs, and phytomedicines. Previously, we isolated two new flavonoid tetrasaccharides from the infusion of Maytenus aquifolium leaves that showed antiulcer activity. In this investigation a new flavonoid tetrasaccharide, kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->6)-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl (1-->3)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)]-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside (3), was isolated, together with kaempferol tri- and disaccharides and quercetin trisaccharides from the aqueous infusion of Maytenus ilicifolia leaves. All structures were elucidated by ES-MS and NMR spectroscopic methods. The quantitative analysis of the flavonoid glycosides from Maytenus ilicifolia and M. aquifolium has been performed by HPLC.     

Purification and thermal and high-pressure inactivation of pectinmethylesterase isoenzymes from tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum): a novel pressure labile isoenzyme

Tomato pectinmethylesterase (PME) was successfully purified by a two-step method consisting of affinity chromatography followed by cation exchange chromatography. According to this procedure, four different isoenzymes were identified representing molar masses around 34.5-35.0 kDa. Thermal and high-pressure inactivation kinetics of the two major isoenzymes of tomato PME were studied. A striking difference between their process stability was found. The thermostable isoenzyme was completely inactivated after 5.0 min at 70 degrees C, whereas for the thermolabile isoenzyme, temperatures at around 60 degrees C were sufficient for complete inactivation. The thermostable isoenzyme was also found to be pressure stable since no inactivation was observed after 5.0 min of treatment at 800 MPa and 20 or 40 degrees C. The thermolabile isoenzyme appeared to be pressure labile since it could be completely inactivated after 5.0 min of treatment at 700 MPa and 20 degrees C or 650 MPa and 40 degrees C. Inactivation kinetics at pH 6.0 could be accurately described by a first-order model.     

Proto-imogolite allophane in podzol concretions in Australia: possible relationship to aluminous ferrallitic (lateritic) cementation

Proto-imogolite allophane was found in amounts ranging from 1% to 5% in concretions and ortstein from several sandy podzols in Australia. Micromorphological observations on concretions in which allophane was the dominant clay component indicated that it had been deposited in layers during successive drying episodes to form a yellow, glassy, weakly anisotropic, fluorescent cement around sand grains. Iron oxides and organic matter were minor components of the cement. It is proposed that a proto-imogolite sol is the mobile phase that deposits Al and Si in these concretions, and that the proto-imogolite allophane could be a precursor of kaolinite in older concretions, and of gibbsite in leaching environments. Proto-imogolite sols and allophane could play a similar role in the pedogenesis of kaolinite and gibbsite in concretions in freely drained ferrallitic soils.     

Isolation and characterization of stelladerol, a new antioxidant naphthalene glycoside, and other antioxidant glycosides from edible daylily (hemerocallis) flowers.

Daylily (Hemerocallis spp.) flowers are utilized as an important ingredient in traditional Asian cuisine and are also valued for their reputed medicinal effects. In studies of the bioactive methanol and aqueous methanol extracts of lyophilized Hemerocallis cv. Stella de Oro flowers, kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin 3-O-glycosides (1-9), phenethyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (10), orcinol beta-D-glucopyranoside (11), phloretin 2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (12), phloretin 2'-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (13), a new naphthalene glycoside, stelladerol (14), and an amino acid (longitubanine A) (15) have been isolated. All of these compounds were tested for their antioxidant and cyclooxygenase inhibitory activities. Stelladerol was found to possess strong antioxidant properties, inhibiting lipid oxidation by 94.6% +/- 1.4 at 10 microM in an in vitro assay. Several of the flavonol 3-O-glycoside isolates also demonstrated modest antioxidant activities at 10 microM. None of the isolates inhibited cyclooxygenase activity at 100 microM.     

Potential of Azotobacter spp. as biocontrol agents against Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporum in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) and tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum)

During the current investigation, 51 bacterial isolates/mutants of Azotobacter chroococcum, Azospirillum spp. and Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus were tested for antifungal activity against three fungal pathogens, namely Rhizoctonia solani cotton, Rhizoctonia solani rice and Fusarium oxysporum tomato using a dual-culture technique under laboratory conditions. Ten isolates/mutants were found to be inhibitory against R. solani cotton, six against R. solani rice and twelve against F. oxysporum tomato. Nearly 50% of the isolates/mutants were siderophore positive. The antimicrobial substance was found to be extracellular and proteinaceous in nature, but in some strains it was found to be associated with other complex material also. Almost all the positive isolates/mutants showed production of antibiotic and antifungal compounds. On the basis of this study, in vitro results under laboratory conditions were reproduced in pot experiments in the greenhouse and chosen isolates/mutants of A. chroococcum were found to be effective biocontrol agents against R. solani cotton (disease index 16.7%) and R. solani rice (2.5%) in cotton crop, whereas in guar, the crop disease index was 2.5% against R. solani cotton, 13.3% against R. solani rice and 0% against F. oxysporum tomato in tomato crop compared with their respective checks.     

Regulation of anthocyanin accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L. subsp. indica) using MgSO4 spraying and low temperature

Pericarp pigmented grains of rice have been reported as anthocyanin enriched source of antioxidants. The aim of this investigation was to regulate anthocyanin accumulation in pericarp pigmented rice cv. ‘Hom Nil’ using 0, 10, 50, and 100 mM MgSO₄ foliar spray. The level of magnesium content in the leaf tissues treated with 100 mM MgSO₄ for 2 d increased 2.6 times over control (0 mM MgSO₄). After growing the treated plants under 16°C for 28 d, photosynthetic abilities were reduced by 17?93%, leading to retarded plant height (39?42% less than control). In addition, grain yield per panicle of the plants grown under 16°C for 28 d was reduced by 26?75% compared to the plants grown under 32°C.Total anthocyanin concentration, cyanidin-3-glucoside and peonidin-3-glucoside in the pericarp of the grains derived from the rice treated with 100 mM MgSO₄ was increased 3.8 times over the control. Peonidin-3-glucoside, a dominant compound was reported for the first time. The study concludes that Mg?enrichment may play a key role as a metalloid in stabilizing anthocyanin, a secondary metabolite in the leaf sheath tissues and pericarp of grains in ‘Hom Nil’ rice cultivar.     

Kuehneltiella terricola gen. nov., sp. nov. — a carnivorous ciliate (Protozoa,Ciliophora) from a sandy soil in Australia

Summary The morphology and biology of the colpodid ciliate Kuehneltiella terricola gen. nov., sp. nov. has been investigated using living organisms, various silver impregnation methods, and scanning electron microscopy. The new species has been isolated in soil from central Australia and might be endemic to this continent. The new genus Kuehneltiella differs from its nearest relative, Bresslaua, in having a right oral polykinetid composed of a single row of dikinetids. A reinvestigation of Lynn's slides of Bresslaua insidiatrix showed that, contrary to the statement of Lynn (1979), this species has a typic colpodid right oral polykinetid, i.e., composed of many short, disordered kineties. A brief review of the literature suggests that simple, single-rowed, right oral polykinetids are apomorphic in the colpodids s. str. Further, this special character has obviously evolved independently several times within the class Colpodea and even within the colpodids s. str. An illustrated key to the genera of the family Colpodidae is provided.Dedicated to the late Prof. Dr. W. Kühnelt     

Comparison of major and trace element concentrations in Danish greenhouse tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Cv. Aromata F1) cultivated in different substrates

The concentration of major and trace elements was determined for tomato (Lycopersicon esculentumcv. Aromata F1) fruits grown in three different substrate systems. The systems were soil and rockwool irrigated with a normal nutrient solution and rockwool irrigated with a nutrient solution with elevated electrical conductivity (EC). At three harvest times, tomato fruits were analyzed for Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Sr, and Zn by ICP-AES and for Cd, Cr, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sn, and V by HR-ICPMS. The concentrations of Ca, Cd, Fe, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Sr, and Zn were significantly different (p < 0.05) for tomato fruits grown on the different substrates. Between the harvest times different levels (p < 0.05) were shown for Ca, Cd, Fe, Mn Na, Ni, Sr, Zn Cu, K, Mg, P, Sn, and V. The concentration of Cd was >15 times higher and the concentration of Ca was 50-115% higher in soil-grown fruits than in rockwool-grown fruits. Principal component analysis applied on each harvest split the data into two groups. One group includes soil-grown fruits, and the other group includes rockwool-grown fruits with the two different nutrient solutions.     

Genetic diversity in the Olive tree (Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea) cultivated in Portugal revealed by RAPD and ISSR markers

To assess the genetic diversity of the most important olive cultivars used in Portugal, a base collection was established with two hundred and one accessions of eleven cultivars from the different agro-ecological-regions (AER) of olive oil production. Inter-cultivar diversity was evaluated using seven RAPD primers producing fifty-nine polymorphic markers that enable cultivar distinction. Discriminant analysis according to fruit use and AER revealed a genetic structure associated with local selection both for fruit exploitation and agro-ecological adaptation. Intra-cultivar diversity of the ancient cultivar Galega was also investigated. Three RAPD and five ISSR primers produced ninety-three polymorphic markers upon seventy-seven accessions from five AERs. Total accession discrimination was achieved. UPGMA clustering and discriminant analysis revealed that the genetic diversity was predominantly structured according to accessions origin. The within and among AER variation revealed by AMOVA supported this genetic structure and showed a high proportion of intra-AER variability. These evidences suggest that Galega is composed by a mixture of different genotypes adapted to local conditions, indicating that this cultivar is in an early stage of domestication and should be treated as a landrace instead of a uniform cultivar. The assessment of Galega genetic diversity within each of the five AERs indicated the highest significant level (H_g = 6.23 at p< 0.001) in Ribatejo-Santarém. This finding associated with the distinctiveness of Galega in relation to other Portuguese cultivars and with the recent insights of olive tree domestication allowed us to hypothesize that Ribatejo-Santarém was the ecological region of origin and dispersion of this ancient cultivar.     

籼稻体细胞无性系雄性不育突变体后代遗传及其恢保关系鉴定

对野败型保持系珍汕97B、恢复系IR24、IR26和泰引1号等4个水稻材料的幼穗在不同的培养基上培养、再生植株及对其后代进行育性和测交鉴定及其它遗传分析,探讨了雄性不育变异株的恢保关系,结果表明:在IR26、泰引1号和珍汕97B的R1、R2群体中都获得了不同比率的雄性不育变异株,这些不育株的花粉败育可分为无花粉、典败、圆败和染败4种类型.对离体培养产生的雄性不育变异株用一批现有CMS不育系的保持系和恢复系进行杂交,其中有2株分别来自IR26(编号为269157)和珍汕97B(编号为B29154)的不育株,其恢保关系与野败型一致,现已回交5代.来自IR26(编号为2692411)的另一雄性不育株,用上述亲本已连续回交5代,后代均不育,其恢保关系似与野败不同.而有些来自珍汕97B和IR26的12株雄性不育变异株,杂交后代(F1)全部可育,结实率85%以上.     

A case study of seed exchange networks and gene flow for barley (Hordeum vulgare subsp. vulgare) in Morocco

Local patterns of seed regeneration and trade that occur outside the formal breeding sector (seed exchange networks) can have a strong influence on the genetic diversity and evolution of traditional crop varieties. Despite this, little is known about the extent to which seed exchange networks influence gene flow and genetic structure in traditional crop varieties. Here we study barley (Hordeum vulgare subsp. vulgare) in rural communes of Northern Morocco in 2008 and 2009. We quantified seed regeneration and exchange by farmers within the seed exchange network using structured interviews. Using SSR markers, we also quantified the neutral genetic diversity and structure of a complex of traditional varieties referred to as Beldi that is managed in this exchange network. The majority of farmers (>88 %) report cultivating Beldi. Most seeds of Beldi (70–90 %) are maintained on-farm, while the remainder of seeds are obtained from local markets within the commune. Beldi has high genetic diversity and there is weak but significant genetic structure between communes (F_ST = 0.031). From SSR marker data there is evidence of a high level of gene flow between communes not reported in interviews. Seeds purchased in local markets likely represent seeds from a larger geographic region, leading to lower genetic structure among communes than expected based on the reported level of on-farm seed regeneration and local sourcing of seed. We discuss the implications of this seed exchange network for the conservation of traditional barley varieties in the study region.     

Ecology of soil springtails (Collembola, Insecta) from pine woods and Rhododendron shrublands in the Central and Eastern Pyrenees (North Spain)

The collembological composition of samples from the Central and Western Pyrenees (Northern Spain) was studied. Soils from two biotopes (pine forest and Rhododendron shrub) were studied in Nuria and Vallibierna, using different diversity indices and multivariate analyses. Ten species were found that were endemic to the Iberian Peninsula. Three of these are exclusive to the Pyrenees: Ceratophysella elegans, Hypogastrura dasiensis and Protachorutes pyrenaeus. The greatest diversity was observed in the soils of Rhododendron, above all at Nuria. Collembola were most poorly represented in the pine forest of Vallibierna, where the endemic Hypogastrura meridionalis was the dominant species. Multivariate analyses indicated that the latter species characterizes this pine forest and separates it from all other biotopes studied. The evenness (E) was most pronounced in Nuria, where Folsomia manolachei was the characteristic species.     

Hydrophilic carboxylic acids and iridoid glycosides in the juice of American and European cranberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon and V. oxycoccos), lingonberries (V. vitis-idaea), and blueberries (V. myrtillus)

Analysis of the hydrophilic fraction of cranberry juice by reversed-phase HPLC using an Aqua LUNA column with diode array or MS detection revealed the presence of quinic acid, malic acid, shikimic acid, and citric acid. For the first time, two iridoid glucosides were found in the juice. The two iridoid glucosides were shown to be monotropein and 6,7-dihydromonotropein by MS and NMR spectroscopy. A fast reversed-phase HPLC method for quantification of the hydrophilic carboxylic acids was developed and used for analyses of cranberry, lingonberry, and blueberry juices. The level of hydrophilic carboxylic acids in cranberries was 2.67-3.57% (w/v), in lingonberries 2.27-3.05%, and in blueberries 0.35-0.75%. In lingonberries both iridoid glucosides were present, whereas only monotropein was present in blueberries.