Protozoan predation of Escherichia coli in hydroponic media of leafy vegetables

Multiple outbreaks of food poisoning associated with fresh vegetable consumptions have occurred in many countries. Numerous reports have described human pathogenic bacteria, such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp., that can internalize into fresh vegetables via root or leaf surfaces. While attempting to obtain the threshold concentration of internalization of E. coli inoculated into hydroponic medium during vegetable cultivation, we observed a rapid decrease in E. coli numbers. In the present study, we determined that the rapid decline in E. coli was not due to a physiological change into a viable but non-culturable (VNC) state. The population crash was instead caused by true bacterial death, as the rapid descent was also confirmed by micro-colony fluorescence in situ hybridization, a culture-independent method that can detect VNC cells. We next monitored the number of E. coli inoculated into intact or filter-sterilized hydroponic medium after cultivation of various types of plants. We found that the number of E. coli in intact hydroponic medium decreased markedly, whereas the level in filter-sterilized hydroponic medium was completely unchanged. This result suggests that biotic factors were present that could be eliminated by filtering. Robust predation of E. coli by protozoa (ciliates and flagellates) was observed using fluorescently labeled bacteria incorporated into the hydroponic medium. Finally, morphological identification of flagellates by scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of a species of Stramenopiles. These findings suggest the importance of protozoa as bacterial feeders in hydroponic systems and hence the use of these organisms as potential control agents of human pathogenic bacteria.     

一种管道水培叶菜变方位包络定心抓取方式

将不同位姿的水培叶菜包络定心夹持到种植孔中心取出,是实现茎秆精准根切,避免根部残留在管道内的关键。针对定方位抓取方式在一些方位上对叶菜向心包络扶起作用小,抓取成功率低的问题,提出一种在夹持过程中使夹手相对种植孔中心转动的变方位抓取方式。以水培绿宝芥蓝为抓取对象,建立夹手张开伸入、绕种植孔中心转动及闭合夹紧时的尺寸参数关系模型;构建包络定心夹持多刚体动力学仿真模型,对初始倾角为50°、65°和80°,相对种植孔边缘均布的8个方位P₁～P₈上的芥蓝进行包络夹持过程仿真分析;搭建抓取试验平台,对初始倾角为45°～60°、>60°～75°和 >75°～90°,方位为P₁～P₈的芥蓝进行抓取试验。分析确定两手指初始张开角为15°,闭合夹角为30°,夹手变方位转动角为45°,夹手转动速度为两手指转动速度的2倍。仿真获得的变方位夹持倾角为82.18°～88.96°,优于定方位夹持倾角80.32°～88.57°;抓取试验获得的变方位抓持倾角为82.83°～89.65°,优于定方位抓持倾角70.70°～89.27°,仿真与试验结果具有较好一致性,表明变方位夹持不同位姿芥蓝的向心包络扶起作用效果更好。3种初始倾角的变方位抓取试验获得的成功率均值分别为91.67%、95.83%和100.00%,定方位抓取成功率均值分别为87.50%、91.67%和100.00%,表明初始倾角越大抓取机构可获得的抓取成功率越高,变方位抓取初始倾角小的芥蓝可获得更高的成功率;不计P₂方位双层手指伸入碰倒芥蓝样本,变方位抓取获得的最小抓取成功率均值为91.70%,相比定方位在P₁～P₈方位上均具有更好的包络定心抓取效果。研究可为管道水培叶菜采收装备的研制提供依据。     

Zinc accumulation characteristics of some leafy vegetables

Abstract

Twelve leafy vegetables were grown on field plots treated with 0, 10, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 pounds Zn per acre incorporated into the 0‐ to 10‐inch soil depth. At harvest maturity the edible parts of the plants were sampled and analyzed for Zn.

Of the 12 crops grown, only Swiss chard and spinach showed any tendency to be Zn accumulators. Even these crops would tolerate extremely high levels of available soil Zn before accumulating what might be considered hazardous Zn concentrations. Swiss chard and spinach were the only crops which showed visible growth depression when grown on plots treated with 800 lbs. Zn per acre.     

Effects of antimony contamination in soil on the nutrient composition of three green leafy vegetables

Purpose

This study aims to explore the effects of antimony (Sb) on the nutrient composition of green leafy vegetables.

Materials and methods

Red beets (Beta vulgaris L.), mallow (Malva sinensis Cavan.), and Chinese cabbage (Brassicacampestris L.) were planted by pouring antimony solution in flowerpot, then the protein content of plants and the changes of seven nutrient elements such as Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and I under Sb stress were studied.

Results and discussion

The results showed that the red beet had the highest protein content when the concentration was 20 mg L^?1, which was 0.2856 gprot L^?1. With an increase in the antimony concentration, the protein content decreased gradually, and the protein content of mallow and Chinese cabbage did not change significantly. For nutrient elements, except for Ca and I, other nutrients in red beets increased with the increase in antimony concentration, and Mn and Zn contents in mallow were reduced to the lowest when Sb was treated with 100 mg L^?1, while content of I element was the highest at 100 mg·L^?1, and the content of nutrients in Chinese cabbage changed in a small range.

Conclusions

The research showed that the antimony pollution had a great influence on the protein content of red beet. The nutrient content of mallow was fluctuated greatly when Sb was treated with 100 mg L^?1. The content of Mn, Zn, and Cu in Chinese cabbage almost did not change due to the antimony concentration.

     

腐植酸在水培蔬菜中的研究进展与展望

腐植酸凭借其诸多优点,已广泛应用于农业生产领域。近年来,随着对腐植酸和无机-有机营养液的深入研究,一些学者开始将腐植酸这一传统有机肥料用于水培蔬菜栽培中。本文介绍了腐植酸生产机理和特征,综述了腐植酸在水培蔬菜中的研究现状,并对腐植酸在蔬菜水培中需要进一步研究的科学问题进行了展望。     

Traditional leafy vegetables and their use in the Benin Republic

Seventy-three villages randomly selected in 29 ethnic areas and three regions or agro-ecological zones of Benin were investigated by a participatory rural appraisal survey to assess the diversity of the species used as traditional leafy vegetables (TLVs). In total, 187 plant species belonging to 141 genera and 52 families were recorded. Among these, 47 (25.13%) were cultivated and 140 (74.87%) were gathered from the wild. Herbs (64.78%) were the most numerous followed by shrubs (19.78%) and trees (15.50%). The Shannon–Weaver diversity index calculated was 3.232. The total number of TLVs used highly varies, across ethnic groups, from 15 (Toli tribe) to 58 (people Mahi) with, on average, 36 species per ethnic group. The relative proportions of the wild and cultivated species used also vary with the tribes but on average appeared almost the same. Of the species inventoried, 18 of national importance were found among which Solanum macrocarpon, Corchorus olitorius, Amaranthus cruentus and Gymnanthemum amygdalinum ranked first. The matrix scoring technique yielded 12 criteria of different natures used to define preference. Among these, four (taste, ease of preparation, availability and quantity of required condiments) were the most important and represent, all together, more than 72% of responses. Despite the diversity of species used as leafy vegetables, they were all basically consumed in the same way. Sauces were the main type of preparation and involved all the species. The perceived nutritional and medicinal (curative, regulative and stimulative) properties of the species as well as their cultural significance were documented. Some TLVs are known and consumed by all or many ethnic groups while many others were simply ethnospecific or used by only a few peoples. However, no correlation was found between the distribution of the utilisation of the species and their degree of consumption which all depend on the eating habits of the peoples. Cluster analysis revealed that peoples sharing a common geographical space and/or cultural identity or origin seem to consume almost the same types of TLVs and cluster together. Given the large quantity of evidence of the importance of the TLVs, there should be a systematic effort to improve their understanding and their uses to reduce if not alleviate rural poverty and malnutrition in Benin.     

Fertilization impacts on green leafy vegetables supplied with slow release nitrogen fertilizers

Conventional over-fertilization in green leafy vegetables has promoted the need for alternative nitrogen management practices. A novel slow-release fertilizer, coated with inorganic minerals, was developed in our lab. The membrane structural characteristics and nitrogen release profile of the product were systematically studied. Furthermore, different fertilization treatments were prepared to study the potential nitrogen use efficiency in Brassica chinensis L., cultivated under open field and greenhouse cultivation patterns. With a relatively smooth surface, coating layer of the newly developed fertilizer stacked by bonded multi-layer of polyaryl polymethylene isocyanate was formed by tightly arraying solid phosphate rock powder granules. After immersing the fertilizer in water, there was about 13% nitrogen released after 24 h and 30% of nitrogen released in 7 days. Moreover, the fertilizer significantly enhanced the yield of Brassica chinensis L. by 28.2%. Nitrogen use efficiency of vegetables treated with the fertilizer was much higher than that of conventional fertilization.     

Extraction of light filth from canned green leafy vegetables: collaborative study.

The official first action method, 44.108, for the extraction of light filth from whole or chopped canned greens specifies a water-heptane flotation that results in the flotation of an excessive amount of interfering plant material and in low recoveries. A new method has been developed using a 40% isopropanol-water-mineral oil flotation. The new method yielded a decreased amount of plant material and 84.9% recovery of the aphid spike compared with 42.5% recovery of the spike by the official method. The new method has been adopted as official first action to replace the existing method, except for broccoli.     

Carotenoid composition in the fruits of Asparagus officinalis

The carotenoid pigments of the ripe and unripe fruits of Asparagus officinalis were investigated by means of an HPLC technique. Capsanthin, capsorubin, capsanthin 5,6-epoxide, antheraxanthin, violaxanthin, neoxanthin, mutatoxanthin epimers, zeaxanthin, lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin, beta-carotene, and some cis isomers were found. Carotenoids with 3,5,6-trihydroxy and 3,6-epoxy beta-end groups could not be deleted.     

Determination of major carotenoids in a few Indian leafy vegetables by high-performance liquid chromatography

Leafy vegetables [Basella rubra L., Peucedanum sowa Roxb., Moringa oleifera Lam., Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Spinacia oleracea L., Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Poir., and Raphanus sativus L.] that are commonly used by the rural population in India were evaluated in terms of their main carotenoid pattern. The extracted carotenoids were purified by open column chromatography (OCC) on a neutral alumina column to verify their identity by their characteristic UV-visible absorption spectra. Reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a C18 column with UV-visible photodiode array detection under isocratic conditions was used for quantification of isolated carotenoids. Acetonitrile/methanol/dichloromethane (60:20:20 v/v/v) containing 0.1% ammonium acetate was used as a mobile phase. The major carotenoids identified by both methods were lutein, beta-carotene, violaxanthin, neoxanthin, and zeaxanthin. Among the carotenoids identified, lutein and beta-carotene levels were found to be higher in these leafy vegetables. Results show that P. sowa and S. oleracea are rich sources of lutein (77-92 mg/100 g of dry wt) and beta-carotene (36-44 mg/100 g of dry wt) compared with other leafy vegetables. The purity of carotenoids eluted by OCC was clarified by HPLC, and they were found to be 92% +/- 3% for neoxanthin, 94% +/- 2% for violaxanthin, 97% +/-2% for lutein and zeaxanthin, and 90% +/- 3% for beta-carotene. It could be recommended to use P. sowa and S. oleracea as rich sources of lutein and beta-carotene for health benefits. The OCC method proposed is relatively simple and provides purified carotenoids for feeding trials.     

复合污染土壤上几种叶类蔬菜对Cd和As的富集效应

[目的]不同蔬菜镉、砷富集系数各异,对镉和砷污染土壤的响应也不同。研究复合污染土壤上不同叶类蔬菜对Cd和As的积累效应,为轻度中度Cd和As污染土壤的合理与安全利用提供适宜的蔬菜种类。[方法]采集了西安市12个污染程度不同的菜地耕层土壤,于2015年3月6日5月26日在西北农林科技大学资源环境学院遮雨大棚内进行了盆栽试验。供试7种叶菜,包括菠菜、油菜、生菜、油麦菜、苋菜、空心菜和茼蒿。蔬菜收获后,测量了蔬菜产量、Cd和As含量与吸收累积量,计算了蔬菜对Cd和As的富集系数等,并用线性回归模型研究了不同蔬菜栽培的土壤Cd和As安全临界值。[结果]镉污染土壤(0.6~2.4 mg/kg)对大多数蔬菜生物量有抑制效应,中、低浓度镉砷复合污染(Cd 1.0~2.4 mg/kg,As 24.9~26.8 mg/kg)对供试蔬菜生长没有叠加效应。镉污染土壤上,菠菜、油菜、苋菜叶、生菜可食部Cd含量均超出食品安全限量标准(0.2 mg/kg),其中菠菜和油菜Cd最高超标4倍以上;而茼蒿和空心菜茎秆Cd未超标。虽然供试蔬菜砷含量随着土壤砷含量增加有升高趋势,但叶菜As含量没有超标。7种蔬菜Cd富集系数为0.083~0.491,高低顺序为油菜、菠菜、生菜和苋菜叶>油麦菜、苋菜茎和空心菜叶>空心菜茎和茼蒿。菠菜、油菜、生菜、油麦菜、苋菜、空心菜和茼蒿土壤Cd安全临界值分别为0.33、0.38、0.46、1.15、0.59~1.79、1.49~8.16和8.98~17.11 mg/kg,其中菠菜、油菜和生菜阈值与现行标准(0.3~0.6 mg/kg)相当,而油麦菜、苋菜、空心菜和茼蒿均大于土壤重金属污染限量值。As富集系数为0.002~0.006,空心菜叶和茼蒿叶片As富集系数显著高于其他蔬菜。7种蔬菜的土壤As临界阈值分别为62.31、70.35、70.21、67.41、67.86~90.43、57.21~75.70和72.43~105.06 mg/kg,均高于现行标准(25 mg/kg)。[结论]中等程度的Cd和As复合污染土壤上,Cd对蔬菜的生长有显著的抑制,As与Cd没有叠加作用。不同蔬菜的产量、污染程度和安全阈值等有显著差异,因此选择低富集、抗污染蔬菜品种是利用中低重金属污染土壤的一条可行途径。空心菜和茼蒿对Cd富集系数低,可推荐在中、低污染土壤上种植。     

基于微波空间驻波法的叶类蔬菜含水率无损检测

蔬菜含水率是影响蔬菜品质的重要指标之一.针对传统含水率检测方法测量精度低、费时费力等问题,该研究提出了一种基于微波空间驻波法的蔬菜含水率预测方法,研发了行驻波雷达测量系统.装置包括微波振荡器、微波发射及接收天线、检波器、样品夹持器、滑轨及控制器.以常温贮存的绿叶白菜、生菜为研究对象,采用X波段微波,对测量过程中形成的空...     

Carotenoid esters in vegetables and fruits: a screening with emphasis on beta-cryptoxanthin esters

Carotenoids are found in food plants in free form or as fatty acid esters. Most studies have been carried out after saponification procedures, so the resulting data do not represent the native carotenoid composition of plant tissues. Therefore, nonsaponified extracts of 64 fruits and vegetables have been screened to determine the amount of carotenoid esters in food plants. Because one of the major problems in the quantitation of carotenoids is the availability of pure standard material, the total carotenoid ester content was calculated as lutein dimyristate equivalents. Lutein dimyristate was independently synthesized from lutein and myristoyl chloride. The highest ester concentrations were found in red chili (17.1 mg/100 g) and orange pepper (9.2 mg/100 g); most of the investigated fruits and vegetables showed concentrations up to 1.5 mg/100 g. Special attention was dedicated to beta-cryptoxanthin esters. To enable an accurate detection of the beta-cryptoxanthin ester content, beta-cryptoxanthin was purified from papaya and used for synthesis of beta-cryptoxanthin laurate, myristate, and palmitate, representing the major beta-cryptoxanthin esters in food plants. The study proved tropical and subtropical fruits to be an additional source of beta-cryptoxanthin esters in the human diet. The contents ranged from 8 microg/100 g beta-cryptoxanthin laurate in Tunisian orange to 892 microg/100 g beta-cryptoxanthin laurate in papaya.     

Tomato productivity and the associated composition of the hydroponic or soil solution

The concentration and balance of nutrients in both the hydroponic or soil solution has been evaluated with relevance to tomato productivity. Yields of 200 mt/ha have been produced in greenhouse, hydroponic culture in a 9 to 10 month period. Yields of more than 100 mt/ha of field grown tomatoes have been produced in Florida in a 4 to 5 month period. Within the limitations of either culture, it is possible per unit of time to provide the nutrients required to produce equivalent yields. It is most significant that field grown tomatoes in Florida can be grown with minimal management and at a fraction of the cost of those grown hydroponically. The validity of the Florida fresh market tomato industry is based on the production efficiency of the field culture. There are annually 16,000 ha of tomatoes grown in Florida, perhaps less than 40 ha grown in hydroponic cultures.     

不同配方蚕沙有机无机复混肥在叶菜类蔬菜上的效果研究

通过盆栽试验,对由蚕沙作为主要有机物料研制的有机无机复混肥的不同配方在生菜和青菜上的施用效果,及其对植株吸收养分和土壤养分供应的影响进行研究。试验结果表明,施用配方1、2、3的蚕沙有机无机复混肥的青菜分别比对照增产35.1%、16.2%、42.1%;生菜增产33.0%、23.4%、38.5%。施用3个配方的蚕沙有机无机复混肥与对照相比,具有促进植株对N、P、K养分吸收的作用,长期施用蚕沙有机无机复混肥对提高和保持土壤养分是有益的。     

脲醛氮肥不影响叶菜的甲醛残留量及食用安全

【目的】研究脲醛氮肥(UF)对生菜、 上海青体内甲醛累积量、 甲醛含量的影响,评价其在叶菜上施用的安全性。【方法】采用3因素4水平完全设计分别进行第一次生菜及上海青盆栽试验。三因素为 50%尿素+50%脲醛[活性系数 (AI)=67%,UF1]、 50%尿素+50%脲醛(AI=57%,UF2)、 100%尿素(U); 施氮量设4个水平,分别是每千克土壤 N0、 100、 200、 300 mg,共 12 个处理,每个处理6个重复。采用4因素3水平完全设计进行第二次生菜盆栽试验,四个因素分别是AI分别为55%的脲醛(UF3)、 63%的脲醛(UF4)、 72%的脲醛(UF5)和100%尿素(U)(含 N 46%); 施氮量设3个水平,分别是每千克土壤 N 0、 200、 300 mg,共 12 个处理,每个处理6个重复。收获后,用乙酰丙酮法测定植株甲醛含量。【结果】无论施氮与否,生菜和上海青体内均能检测到甲醛。无氮对照在第一次生菜和上海青试验中的甲醛累积量分别为 0.21和0.35 mg/pot,在第二次生菜试验的生菜甲醛含量为 1.72 mg/kg。第一次生菜试验施 N 100 mg/kg土 时,U和 U+UF处理的生菜体内甲醛是无氮对照的 2.7~2.8 倍,但施氮处理间(U、 U+UF)无差异。在施 N 200、 300 mg/kg土时,U处理的生菜甲醛累积量明显大于U+UF处理,尿素处理甲醛累积量分别为 0.68、 0.56 mg/pot; 施 N 200 mg/kg土时,U处理的甲醛累积量比 UF1 + U和 UF2 + U 处理分别高出 26%、 33%,N 300 mg/kg土时的相应值是 30%、 24%。第二次生菜试验,两个施氮水平下,U和 UF5处理的甲醛含量最大; 施 N 200 mg/kg土时,UF3和UF4处理的生菜体内甲醛含量与无氮处理的无差异,当施氮量增加到300 mg/kg土时,活性指数为 55%的 UF3 与无氮处理的生菜甲醛含量无差异,活性指数为 63%的UF4的生菜甲醛含量甚至明显低于无氮处理。U和 UF5 处理的生菜甲醛含量范围为 4.97~5.36 mg/kg,UF3和 UF4处理的分别比 UF5处理的降低了68%和 70%,分别比U处理的的降低了69%和 71%。施氮量从 N 100 mg/kg土增加到 300 mg/kg土,均未影响叶菜体内的甲醛残留。【结论】与常规尿素相比,单独施用脲醛氮肥或尿素与脲醛氮肥混合施用,无论脲醛氮肥活性指数从 50%增加到 71%,还是氮肥用量从 100 增加到 300 mg/kg土,均不会增加叶菜体内的甲醛残留量,并且甲醛残留量处于安全范围内。