Detection of key factors in the extraction and quantification of lycopene from tomato and tomato products

The analytical process of lycopene extraction and photometrical determination was critically examined for raw tomato and processed tomato products by means of a 2 IV (15-10) Plackett-Burman experimental design in order to identify the key factors (KFs) involved. Fifteen apparent key factors (AKFs) reported in the literature were selected: sample weight (X1); volume of extraction solution (X2); antioxidant concentration (BHT, X3); neutralizing agent concentration (MgCO 3, X4); light presence during lycopene extraction (X5), homogenization velocity (X6) and time (X7), agitation time (X8), and temperature (X9) during the extraction process; water volume for separation of polar/nonpolar phases (X11); presence of inert atmosphere throughout the process (X12); time (X13), temperature (X14), and light presence (X10) during separation of phases and time delay for reading (X15). In general, higher lycopene concentrations in samples led to a higher number of key factors (KF). Thus, for raw tomato (lycopene range 1.22-2.29 mg/100 g) no KF were found, whereas for tomato sauce (lycopene range from 5.80 to 8.60 mg/100 g) one KF (X4) and for tomato paste (lycopene range from 35.80 to 51.27 mg/100 g) five KFs (X1, X2, X4, X11, and X12) were detected. For lycopene paste, X1 and X2 were identified as the KFs with the greatest impact on results, although in fact the X1/X2 ratio was the real cause. The results suggest that, with increased processing, the physical and chemical structure of lycopene becomes less important since the identified KFs explain almost 90% of variability in tomato paste but only 32% in raw tomato.     

Evaluation of VIE (Visible Implant Elastomer) and PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) physical tagging systems for the identification of red porgy fingerlings (Pagrus pagrus)

The effect of two physical tagging systems, Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) and Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT), was evaluated in red porgy (Pagrus pagrus) fingerlings, at different sizes. For VIE tagging, the weight classes were <1 and 1?C5?g and no tag effect was detected on fish growth. There was a significant difference in mortality between tagged and untagged <1?g fish, but not for the 1?C5?g fish. The tag loss rate was null for all sizes, however, tags showed fragmentation. This partial tag loss was evaluated and quantified. Seven VIE colours were compared and arranged from best to worst visibility: green, red, pink, orange, yellow, white and blue. For PIT tagging, 2?C6?g, 5?C10?g and 10?C20?g weight classes were analysed. There was no significant tag effect on fish growth, for any size, nor on mortality from 10?g. Tag loss rate ranged from 2.9 to 5.9%. These results demonstrate that, in red porgy, VIE is a successful tagging system from 2?g onwards whereas PIT system is successful from 10?g onwards. The combination of both systems allows traceability of fish from a very small size on, which is necessary for the implementation of genetic breeding programmes.     

Growth,tissue metabolites and digestive functionality in Sparus aurata juveniles fed different levels of macroalgae,Gracilaria cornea and Ulva rigida

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of two macroalgae as dietary ingredients on growth, body composition, intermediate metabolism, intestinal enzymes and gut histology of Sparus aurata juveniles. Six isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets incorporating 5%, 15% or 25% of Gracilaria cornea or Ulva rigida meal were tested against a control diet. Duplicate groups of fifteen fish (14 g) were fed the experimental diets for 70 days. Growth performance showed an inverse linear relationship with the inclusion level of Gracilaria. Feed conversion ratio increased significantly in fish fed 25% Gracilaria. Ulva presented a quadratic relationship with the lowest SGR at 15% of inclusion. Fish fed 25% Ulva exhibited significantly lower lipid content than those fed control diet. Overall, metabolites did not show differences with specimens fed control diet, except for plasmatic glucose and muscle lactate. Intestinal proteolytic activity was reduced with the macroalgae inclusion level, but all fish showed the same enzyme pattern. The histological study revealed no negative effect on liver and intestine structure by the macroalgae inclusion. The present work demonstrated that these ingredients can be used in practical diets for sea bream, but a more comprehensive research is needed to determine the optimum dietary level in a longer feeding trial.     

Tracing trophic pathways through the marine ecosystem of Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

1. The structure of food webs provides important insight into biodiversity, organic matter (OM) pathways, and ecosystem functioning.
2. Stable isotope analysis (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) was used to characterize the trophic structure and the main OM pathways supporting food webs in the Rapa Nui coastal marine ecosystem.
3. The trophic position of consumers and isotopic niche metrics were estimated for different assemblages (i.e. mesozooplankton, emergent zooplankton, reef invertebrates, reef fishes, pelagic fishes, and seabirds). Furthermore, the relative importance of different OM sources (i.e. macroalgae, zooxanthellate corals, and particulate OM [POM]) was assessed for heterotrophic consumers using Bayesian mixing model (MixSIAR).
4. Results show a clear pattern of ¹³C and ¹⁵N enrichment from small-sized pelagic and benthic invertebrates, to reef and pelagic fishes, and seabirds. Most invertebrates were classified as primary consumers, reef fishes as secondary consumers and pelagic predators and seabirds as tertiary and quaternary consumers.
5. Isotopic niche metrics indicate a low trophic diversity for pelagic assemblages (mesozooplankton and pelagic fishes), in contrast to reef fauna (invertebrates and fishes), whose higher trophic diversity suggest the exploitation of a wider range of trophic resources. Overlapping of standard ellipses areas between reef invertebrates and reef fishes indicates that both assemblages could be sharing trophic resources.
6. Mixing models results indicate that POM is the main trophic pathway for mesozooplankton, macroalgae (Rhodophyta) for emergent zooplankton, and a mix of coral-derived OM and Rhodophyta for coral reef assemblages such as macrobenthos and reef invertebrates. In contrast, POM contribution was notably more important for some pelagic fishes and seabirds from upper trophic levels.
7. This study provides key elements for conservation efforts on coral reefs, management planning and full-implementation of the recently created Rapa Nui Multiple Use Marine Protected Area.

     

Growth and survival of juvenile spider crabs,Maja brachydactyla (Balss, 1922), fed with fresh or frozen mussels

The effects of diet freezing on the growth, survival and biochemical composition of the diets and juvenile spider crabs (Maja brachydactyla) were studied. Fresh and frozen (at ?20 °C for 21 days) mussels, Mytilus edulis, were used as food. Two experiments were conducted and in each, spider crabs were placed in individual trays. During experiment I, 40 juvenile spider crabs (2 months old) were used. Twenty animals (9 ± 2 mg) were fed fresh mussels, and 20 animals (8 ± 2 mg) were fed frozen mussels. Spider crabs fed fresh mussels grew larger than the ones fed frozen mussels (304.0 ± 118.0 and 70.0 ± 40.1 mg respectively). During experiment II, 16 juvenile spider crabs (5 months old) were used. Eight animals (3.4 ± 0.8 g) were fed fresh mussel and eight animals (4.1 ± 1.3 g) were fed frozen mussel. Spider crabs fed with fresh mussels were larger than the ones fed with frozen mussels (92.5 ± 41.7 and 41.5 ± 17.7 g respectively). There were no significant differences in the protein, amino acids and fatty acid composition between fresh and frozen mussels. The freezing procedure makes mussels less adequate for the culture of 2‐month‐old early juveniles of M. brachydactyla up to 5 months, although they promoted acceptable growth and good survival in older animals (>5 months old).     

Endocrine (plasma cortisol and glucose) and behavioral (locomotor and self-feeding activity) circadian rhythms in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis Kaup 1858) exposed to light/dark cycles or constant light

The existence of daily rhythms under light/dark (LD) cycles in plasma cortisol, blood glucose and locomotor and self-feeding activities, as well as their persistence (circadian nature) under constant light (LL), was investigated in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis). For the cortisol and glucose rhythms study, 48 soles were equally distributed in 8 tanks and exposed to a 12:12 LD cycle and natural water temperature (experiment 1). After an acclimation period, blood was sampled every 3 h until a 24-h cycle was completed. Blood glucose levels were measured immediately after sampling, while plasma cortisol was measured later by ELISA. In experiment 2, the fish were exposed to LL for 11 days, and after this period, the same sampling procedure was repeated. For the study of locomotor and self-feeding rhythms (experiment 3), two groups of sole were used: one exposed to LD and the other to LL. Each group was distributed within 3 tanks equipped with infrared photocells for the record of locomotor activity, and self-feeders for feeding behavior characterization. The results revealed a marked oscillation in cortisol concentrations during the daily cycle under LD, with a peak (35.65 ± 3.14 ng/ml) in the afternoon (15:00 h) and very low levels during the night (5.30 ± 1.09 ng/ml). This cortisol rhythm persisted under LL conditions, with lower values (mean cortisol concentration = 7.12 ± 1.11 ng/ml) and with the peak shifted by 3 h. Both rhythms were confirmed by COSINOR analysis (p < 0.05). The synchronizing role of temperature and feeding schedule, in addition to light, is also discussed. Diel rhythms of glucose were not evident in LD or LL. As to locomotor and self-feeding activity, a very marked rhythm was observed under LD, with higher activity observed during the night, with acrophases located at 2:14 and 3:37 h, respectively. The statistical significance of daily rhythms was confirmed by COSINOR analysis. Under LL, both feeding and locomotor rhythms persisted, with an endogenous period (τ) around 22.5 h. In short, our findings described for the first time the existence of circadian cortisol and behavioral circadian rhythms in flat fish. Such results revealed the importance of taking into account the time of day when assessing stress responses and evaluating physiological indicators of stress in fish.     

Combining ability,heterosis and genetic diversity in tropical maize (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) under stress and non-stress conditions

Drought and low soil fertility are considered the most important abiotic stresses limiting maize production in sub-Saharan Africa. Knowledge of the combining ability and diversity of inbred lines with tolerance to the two stresses and for those used as testers would be beneficial in setting breeding strategies for stress and nonstress environments. We used 15 tropical maize inbred lines to (i) evaluate the combining ability for grain yield (GY), (ii) assess the genetic diversity of this set of inbred lines using RFLP, SSR, and AFLP markers, (iii) estimate heterosis and assess the relationship between F₁ hybrid performance, genetic diversity and heterosis, and (iv) assess genotype × environment interaction of inbred lines and their hybrids. The F₁ diallel hybrids and parental inbreds were evaluated under drought stress, low N stress, and well-watered conditions at six locations in three countries. General combining ability (GCA) effects were highly significant (P < 0.01) for GY across stresses and well-watered environments. Inbred lines CML258, CML339, CML341, and CML343 had the best GCA effects for GY across environments. Additive genetic effects were more important for GY under drought stress and well-watered conditions but not under low N stress, suggesting different gene action in control of GY. Clustering based on genetic distance (GD) calculated using combined marker data grouped lines according to pedigree. Positive correlation was found between midparent heterosis (MPH) and specific combining ability (SCA), GD and GY. Hybrid breeding program targeting stress environments would benefit from the accumulation of favorable alleles for drought tolerance in both parental lines.     

High‐quality spontaneous spawning in greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili,Risso 1810) and its comparison with GnRHa implants or injections

Production of sufficient high‐quality eggs of greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) still constitutes the main bottleneck for commercial production of this species. The main objective of this study was to compare the quality of spontaneous spawn of greater amberjack with those obtained by either GnRHa injection or GnRHa implant protocols. Captive amberjack broodstock were distributed in three circular tanks of 40 m³. Broodstock from Tank 1 were not hormonally induced and spawned spontaneously, whereas those of Tank 2 were intramuscularly injected with GnRHa (20 µg/kg body weight) and those of Tank 3 were given EV‐500 µg GnRHa implants. The number of eggs per spawn obtained in the broodstock without hormonal treatment was larger than in those obtained with injections or implants. Egg quality was best in broodstock with spontaneous spawn, followed by GnRHa‐injected fish and then GnRHa implants. Besides, size of larvae from control and injected broodstock was similar between them and significantly higher (p < 0.01) than those from GnRHa implant spawn. Overall, this study showed that it is possible to obtain very high‐quality spontaneous spawn in greater amberjack, providing the adequate conditions. Furthermore, GnRHa weekly injections lead to similar egg viability and hatching rates than spontaneous spawn and higher fertilization rates than GnRHa hormonal implants, which is better than in previous studies.