Bowman-Birk and Kunitz Protease Inhibitors among Antinutrients and Bioactives Modified by Germination and Hydrolysis in Brazilian Soybean Cultivar BRS 133

Soybean contains constituents that have antinutritional and bioactive properties. Enzymatic hydrolysis and germination can enhance the biological activity of these compounds in soybean. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of germination, Alcalase (protease) hydrolysis, and their combination on the concentrations of antinutritional and bioactive compounds in Brazilian soybean cultivar BRS 133. A combination of germination and Alcalase hydrolysis resulted in the degradation of Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBI), Kunitz trypsin inhibitor (KTI), and lunasin by 96.9, 97.8, and 38.4%. Lectin was not affected by any of the processing treatments when compared to nongerminated and nonhydrolyzed soy protein extract. Total isoflavones (ISF) and total saponins (SAP) increased by 16.2 and 28.7%, respectively, after 18 h of germination, while Alcalase hydrolysis led to the reduction of these compounds. A significant correlation was found between concentrations of BBI and KTI, BBI and lunasin, BBI and ISF, KTI and lunasin, KTI and ISF, KTI and SAP, lunasin and ISF, and ISF and SAP. Germination and Alcalase hydrolysis interacted in reducing BBI, ISF, and SAP. This study presents a process of preparing soy flour ingredients with lower concentrations of antinutritional factors and with biologically active constituents, important for the promotion of health associated with soybean consumption. In conclusion, 18 h of germination and 3 h of Alcalase hydrolysis is recommended for elimination of protease inhibitors, while bioactives are maintained by at least 50% of their original concentrations.     

In Situ Heavy Metal Accumulation in Lettuce Growing Near a Former Mining Waste Disposal Area: Implications for Agricultural Management

Mining wastes may pose risk nearby urban and agricultural areas. We investigated a lettuce crop land close to a former capped mine tailing in order to determinate the metal uptake by crops. Soil plot sampling design within the crop area and two transects along the tailing were performed. In addition, lettuces (root and leaves) were analyzed after transplant and harvest. The results showed a pH of around 7–8 for all the soil samples. Total metal concentrations were as follows: 190–510 mg kg^?1 Pb, 13–21 mg kg^?1 Cu, and 210–910 mg kg^?1 Zn. Diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid-extractable Pb was around 18% of the total Pb in some samples. Transects along the base and on the plateau of the tailing showed high metal concentrations of Pb (up to 5,800 mg kg^?1) and Zn (up to 4,500 mg kg^?1), indicating that capping layer had been eroded. Lettuce leaves showed Pb concentrations within standard for human health (<0.3 mg kg^?1 in fresh weight). For essential micronutrients such as Cu and Zn, leaves had optimal content (10–28 mg kg^?1 Cu, 60–85 mg kg^?1 Zn). A continued monitoring in metal uptake is needed in crop lands close to mining wastes in order to prevent risks in food safety. Capped tailings must be monitored and rehabilitation works performed from time to time.     

Evaluation of Magnetic Coagulant (α-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-MO) and its Reuse in Textile Wastewater Treatment

The textile industries are characterized as one of the biggest consumers of potable water and chemical products throughout its process, being responsible for the elevated wastewater generation with intense coloration and wide polluting potential. In this context, the present study proposes the development and application of a new coagulant material for textile wastewater treatment. The proposed coagulant (α-Fe₂O₃-MO) was composed by hematite nanoparticles (α-Fe₂O₃) obtained by a simple non-pollutant methodology, associated with Moringa oleifera (MO) seeds saline extract compounds. Coagulation/flocculation (CF) efficiency was evaluated by removal of physicochemical parameters such as apparent color, turbidity, and compounds with absorption at UV_254nm (UV_254nm) through CF tests carried out on Jar test equipment and sedimentation carried out in the presence and absence of external magnetic field (600 k Am^?1). Kinetics sedimentation was from 0 to 90 min. The use of this new coagulant allowed the removal of 92.37% for apparent color, 91.43% for turbidity, and 46.09% for UV_254nm, indicating that the proposed coagulant association was efficient in the treatment of this type of wastewater under external magnetic field with only 10 min of sedimentation. In addition, the resulting sludge from CF process was tested as base material for a new coagulant synthesis, demonstrating great reuse potential. Therefore, the new proposed coagulant, composed of α-Fe₂O₃ and the compounds present in the seed extract of MO, has applicability for textile wastewater treatment demonstrating high removal rate for all evaluated parameters with cost reduction in the proposed treatment for this wastewater.     

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation on growth,yield, nitrogen,and phosphorus nutrition of nodulating bean varieties in two soil substrates of contrasting fertility

A pot experiment was conducted to study the response of nodulated bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), vars. Ceca and Montalbán, to inoculation with the arbuscular‐mycorrhizae (AM) Glomus spurcum strain IES‐3 and G. mosseae strain IES‐8 in two non‐sterilized non‐amended soil substrates (S‐l and S‐2) of contrasting fertility. S‐l was an acid soil (pH 5.0) with 77% exchangeable aluminum (Al), low available phosphorus (P) (3.5 ug g^‐1 dry soil) and 1.8% organic matter. S‐2 was a soil with pH 7.0, 7.9 μg P g^‐1 dry soil, 9.6% organic matter and no exchangeable Al. Plants growing in S‐1 (S‐1 plants) and S‐2 (S‐2 plants) soils were sampled at the beginning of the flowering stage. S‐1 and S‐2 plants were nodulated by the rhizobial populations native of each soil. S‐1 plants of both varieties did not respond to AM inoculation in term of shoot and root mass, P content, relative abundance of ureides (RAU) and seed yields. Only the total chlorophyll, chlorophyll‐a, chlrophyll‐a/b ratio and nodule mass were significantly enhanced in AM‐inoculated plants. Increased total reducing sugars concentration was detected in roots of S‐1 plants inoculated with G. mosseae. S‐2 plants displayed significantly higher shoot and nodule mass as well as increased total chlorophyll, chlorophyll‐a, chlorophyll‐a/b ratio and P content than S‐1 plants, regardless of the variety and AM inoculation. S‐2 plants of the var Ceca showed a two fold increase in seed yields but similar RAU values (>60%) when compared to S‐1 plants of the same variety. In contrast, the significant increase in RAU detected in S‐2 plants of the var Montalban was not translated into higher seed yields. In S‐2, the productivity of plants of the var Ceca doubled that of the var Montalban. For both bean varieties the highest significant P content and seed yield were observed exclusively in S‐2 plants inoculated with G. mosseae. This Glomelean strain enhanced the sink‐source ratio of the S‐2 plants as evidenced by the higher total reducing sugar concentration in the root mass. Arbuscular‐mycorrhizae inoculation significantly decreased the acid phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere of S‐1 and S‐2 plants, respectively, pointing toward a negative effect of foreign AM on the native microbial biomass. The effectiveness of the rhizobial populations native of each soil type and the weak response elicited by G. mosseae in S‐2 plants do not justify, at present, the inclusion of foreign inocula in the bean crops carried out at S‐1 and S‐2 soils of the Sucre State of Venezuela. Results also indicated the higher adaptability of var Ceca to conditions prevailing in S‐1 and S‐2.     

An Approach to Air Pollution Source–Receptor Solution by Angular Distances

This study presents the analysis of two series of concentrations of airborne particulate matter (APM) collected in two exploratory campaigns aimed at elucidating the source–receptor problem (SRP) in the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires. Although several techniques have been previously applied to interpret these measurements, we have almost exclusively used here the method of angular distances among objects (ADO) to discuss its advantages as a tool in understanding environmental questions within the source–receptor framework. We present a simple method of calculating the ADO, explain its chemical interpretation and the information that is possible to get by classifying the angular distances. A comparison among ADO with principal component analysis and Kohonen artificial neural networks is also discussed.     

Inheritance and relationships of important agronomic traits in almond

The inheritance of 16 important agronomic traits and its relationship were studied for four years in a population of 167 almond [P. dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb] seedlings obtained from a cross between the French selection ‘R1000’ (‘Tardy Nonpareil’ × ‘Tuono’) and the Spanish cultivar ‘Desmayo Largueta’. For some traits (blooming and leafing date) descendants segregated between the value of both progenitors, meanwhile for others the mean of the offspring was lower (bloom density, productivity and ripening date) or higher (in-shell/kernel ratio and double kernels). As expected, kernel bitterness and self-incompatibility behaved as monogenic traits. Some important correlations between traits were detected. The implications of the transmission and the correlation of these traits in the breeding programmes are discussed.     

Mutations in the quinolone-resistance determining region (QRDR) of Salmonella strains isolated from pigs in Spain

Quinolone-resistance determining region (QRDR) of Gyrase A gene was sequenced in 54 Salmonella strains of pig origin that have different quinolone-resistance patterns. Those strains accounted for 12 different serotypes. Mutations at Ser83 or Asp87 were predominant in the studied isolates. However, for serotypes Anatum and Virchow, resistance to quinolones seemed to be linked to specific mutations, namely, Ser83-->Tyr and Ser83-->Phe, respectively. Other mutations found in different positions did not seem to have clinical significance except for changes at Asp82.     

Ultrasonographic changes of the equine stifle following experimental medial patellar desmotomy

The objective of this study was to evaluate, through ultrasonography, the effect of medial patellar desmotomy. Middle patellar desmitis, enthesophytes in the patella, and irregularities in the cartilage of the femoral trochlear groove were observed. Medial patellar desmotomy leads to lesions in the stifle, and restriction of movement does not prevent these lesions from occurring.