Metschnikowia andauensis as a new biocontrol agent of fruit postharvest diseases

Potential antagonists were isolated from the epiphytic flora associated with oranges and pome fruit. A total of 1465 microorganisms were tested in a preliminary screening against blue and green moulds on pome and citrus fruit, respectively. Among them, approximately 3% reduced incidence and severity by more than 50% and 4 microorganisms fulfilled the selection criteria of reduction in severity and incidence by 75%. The most effective was a yeast identified as Metschnikowia andauensis, strain NCYC 3728 (PBC-2), isolated from the surface of ‘Bravo de Esmolfe’ apple fruit cultivated in North Portugal. The biocontrol activity of M. andauensis PBC-2 was dependent on its applied concentration. At 5 × 10⁶ cfu/mL incidence (% of infected wounds) and severity (lesion diameter) were reduced by 62 and 70%, respectively and at 1 × 10⁷ cfu/mL, the greatest reduction was achieved, 90% of incidence and 95% of severity. The broad spectrum of action of M. andauensis PBC-2 was evaluated with effective control being achieved against Rhizopus stolonifer, Penicillium expansum and Botritys cinerea, on ‘Rocha’ pears and on different apple cultivars and against Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum on mandarins and oranges. In semi-commercial trials in cold storage, the reduction of blue mould was 90%. Rapid colonization of fresh apple fruit wounds was observed during the first 24 h of cold storage, followed by a significant population increase during the first 15 days of storage and then the population remained stable until the end of storage.     

Comment on "Drought-induced reduction in global terrestrial net primary production from 2000 through 2009"

Zhao and Running (Reports, 20 August 2010, p. 940) reported a reduction in global terrestrial net primary production (NPP) from 2000 through 2009. We argue that the small trends, regional patterns, and interannual variations that they describe are artifacts of their NPP model. Satellite observations of vegetation activity show no statistically significant changes in more than 85% of the vegetated lands south of 70°N during the same 2000 to 2009 period.     

Zero Point of Charge Determination of Monoionic Montmorillonites by Transport Number Method

The zero points of charge (ZPC) of a natural bentonite and those of its homoionic forms (Na, Ca and Al) were determined by the transport number method. The influence of the interlayer cation was observed in the different pH values of the ZPC obtained. No influence of the water contains was observed.     

Chemical characterization of the high molecular weight material extracted with hot water from green and roasted arabica coffee

The polysaccharides present in coffee infusions are known to contribute to the organoleptic characteristics of the drink, such as the creamy sensation perceived in the mouth known as "body", the release of aroma substances, and the stability of espresso coffee foam. To increase the knowledge about the origin, composition, and structure of the polysaccharide fraction, the high molecular weight material (HMWM) was extracted with hot water from two green and roasted ground arabica coffees: Costa Rica (wet processed) and Brazil (dry processed). The polysaccharides present in the green coffees HMWM were arabinogalactans (62%), galactomannans (24%), and glucans, and those found in roasted coffees were galactomannans (69%) and arabinogalactans (28%). The polysaccharides of the HMWM of the roasted coffees were less branched than those of the green coffees. The major green coffee proteins had molecular weights of 58 and 38 kDa, and the 58 kDa protein had two subunits, of 38 and 20 kDa, possibly linked by disulfide bonds. The protein fraction obtained from roasted coffees had only a defined band with < or =14 kDa and a diffuse band with >200 kDa. The majority of the galactomannans were precipitated with solutions of 50% ethanol, and the size-exclusion chromatography of the roasted fractions showed coelution of polysaccharides, proteins, phenolics, and brown compounds. The use of strong hydrogen and hydrophobic dissociation conditions allowed us to conclude that the phenolics and brown compounds were linked by covalent bonds to the polymeric material.     

Efficient preparation of catechin thio conjugates by one step extraction/depolymerization of pine (Pinus pinaster) bark procyanidins

The skin penetrating antioxidant cysteamine derivative of (-)-epicatechin as well as other thio conjugates were efficiently obtained with high yields from pine (Pinus pinaster) bark by simultaneous one pot extraction and depolymerization using water and cysteamine hydrochloride. The influence of the concentration of bark, acid, and cysteamine, as well as the reaction time on the total conversion, was studied. The total conversion into the epicatechin and catechin conjugates was as high as 47 g/kg pine bark with 1666 g cysteamine/kg bark and 28 g/kg with 166 g cysteamine/kg bark. A fast cleanup step by absorption/desorption on XAD-16 greatly facilitated further purification of the active major component. At a pilot scale, 4beta-(2-aminoethylthio)epicatechin (1) (conversion 263 g, purity 35% by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography/weight) was obtained from 17 kg of pine bark after simultaneous extraction/depolymerization followed by cleanup with the polymeric resin in approximately 10 h. The results show that pine (P. pinaster) bark is a suitable source of flavanols for the preparation of active thio derivatives. Conditions are given for the fast and efficient preparation of the conjugates.     

Procyanidin fractions from pine (Pinus pinaster) bark: radical scavenging power in solution, antioxidant activity in emulsion, and antiproliferative effect in melanoma cells

Pine (Pinus pinaster) bark is a rich source of procyanidin oligomers. From a total polyphenolic extract, we have generated fractions of different procyanidin composition. The mixtures, devoid of gallate esters, were active as free radical scavengers against ABTS(*+), DPPH, and HNTTM. Pine bark fractions were tested for antioxidant activity in solution (hydrogen donation and electron transfer) and emulsion (inhibition of lipid peroxidation) and compared with their galloylated counterparts from grape origin. While galloylation clearly influenced the free radical scavenging efficiency in solution, it did not seem to play a determinant role in protection against lipid peroxidation in emulsion. The fractions were very mild inhibitors of cell proliferation. Because gallate esters appear to interfere with crucial cell functions, gallate free pine procyanidins may be the innocuous chemopreventative agents of choice for many applications in food and skin protection.     

Frequency of urinary tract infection among dogs with pruritic disorders receiving long-term glucocorticoid treatment

OBJECTIVE: To determine frequency of urinary tract infection (UTI) among dogs with pruritic disorders that were or were not receiving long-term glucocorticoid treatment. DESIGN: Observational study. ANIMALS: 127 dogs receiving glucocorticoids for > 6 months and 94 dogs not receiving glucocorticoids. PROCEDURE: Bacterial culture of urine samples was performed in dogs receiving long-term glucocorticoid treatment, and information was collected on drug administered, dosage, frequency of administration, duration of glucocorticoid treatment, and clinical signs of UTI. For dogs not receiving glucocorticoids, a single urine sample was submitted for bacterial culture. RESULTS: Multiple (2 to 6) urine samples were submitted for 70 of the 127 (55%) dogs receiving glucocorticoids; thus, 240 urine samples were analyzed. For 23 of the 127 (18.1%) dogs, results of bacterial culture were positive at least once, but none of the dogs had clinical signs of UTI. Pyuria and bacteriuria (present vs absent) were found to correctly predict results of bacterial culture for 89.9% and 95.8% of the samples, respectively. Type of glycocorticoid, dosage, frequency of administration, and duration of treatment were not associated with frequency of UTI. None of the urine samples from dogs not receiving glucocorticoids yielded bacterial growth. The frequency of UTI was significantly higher for dogs treated with glucocorticoids than for dogs that had not received glucocorticoids. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that dogs receiving long-term glucocorticoid treatment have an increased risk of developing a UTI. On this basis, we recommend that urine samples be submitted for bacterial culture at least yearly for such dogs.