Original study of the biochemical and oil composition of the Cambodia nut Irvingia malayana

Analysis of the biochemical composition of Irvingia malayana was carried out. This Cambodian nut contains 7.5% water and 70% oil. Most of the fatty acids are saturated and include 42% C12:0 and 41.8% C14:0; the sterol composition is similar to that of other vegetable oils. This oil is less rich in alpha-tocopherol than in gamma-tocopherol. Analysis of the solid content of the oil with respect to the temperature by NMR shows a fast fall of solid content around its fusion range at 38-39 degrees C. The main differences in the properties of the indigenous Cambodia nut from other known oleaginous seeds are in its selenium content, fatty acid composition, fusion temperature profile, and content of antioxidants. These important characteristics can soon make possible its application in pharmacology, cosmetics, the margarine industry, etc.     

Temperature sensitivity of soil organic matter decomposition—what do we know?

Soil organic matter (SOM) represents one of the largest reservoirs of carbon on the global scale. Thus, the temperature sensitivity of bulk SOM and of different SOM fractions is a key factor determining the response of the terrestrial carbon balance to climatic warming. We condense the available knowledge about the potential temperature sensitivity and the actual temperature sensitivity of decomposition in situ, which ultimately depends on substrate availability. We review and evaluate contradictory results of estimates of the temperature sensitivity of bulk SOM and of different SOM fractions. The contradictory results demonstrate a need to focus research on biological and physicochemical controls of SOM stabilisation and destabilisation processes as a basis for understanding strictly causal relationships and kinetic properties of key processes that determine pool sizes and turnover rates of functional SOM pools. The current understanding is that temperature sensitivity of SOM mineralisation is governed by the following factors: (1) the stability of SOM, (2) the substrate availability, which is determined by the balance between input of organic matter, stabilisation and mineralisation of SOM, (3) the physiology of the soil microflora, its efficiency in substrate utilisation and its temperature optima and (4) physicochemical controls of destabilisation and stabilisation processes, like pH and limitation of water, oxygen and nutrient supply. As soil microflora is functionally omnipotent and most SOM is of high age and stability, the temperature dependence of stable SOM pools is the central question that determines C stocks and stock changes under global warming.     

Effects of pressurization on structure, water distribution, and sensory attributes of cured ham: can pressurization reduce the crucial sodium content?

This study investigated the replacement of tumbling (intermittent vacuum tumbling for 6 h) with pressure treatment (7 MPa for 4 s) in the production of a cured ham product with the aim of elucidating if the pressure treatment could reduce the amount of salt added to obtain a satisfactory product. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) revealed a pressure-induced loosening of the meat structure, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxometry revealed that this structural modification of the meat had an impact on water properties and water distribution in both cooked and cooked/fried products. Three salt levels (0.6, 1.1, and 1.7% w/w) were investigated, and sensory profiling revealed that the pressured-cooked meat obtained a significantly higher juiciness score at low and medium salt levels. In addition, sensory profiling assessments revealed that at the lowest salt concentration the pressured product was perceived to be saltier compared with the tumbled product; however, the difference was not significant and was absent upon frying. In contrast, in sensory time intensity analysis the maximum intensity and the total salt taste were significantly higher in the pressured samples at the low and medium salt levels in the cooked samples. In conclusion, the present study showed strong evidence that the structure and biophysical characteristics of cured ham is altered by pressurization and suggested that pressurization may reduce the critical amount of salt required in a ham product.     

Analysis of gene cassettes of streptomycin-spectinomycin resistance of Hungarian Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium strains

By PCR using the ant(3")-Ia primer pair the aadA gene was detected in 34 streptomycin- and spectinomycin-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium strains. Out of them 12 belonged to DT104 and 22 to non-DT104 phage type. Using different primer combinations it was demonstrated that this gene was integron-associated in all cases: in the DT104 strains it was generally contained by a 1 kb integron while in the majority of the non-DT104 strains by a 2.05 kb (less often by a 1.9 or 1 kb) integron. In the case of integrons carrying multiple cassettes the cassette containing the aadA gene was located closer to the 3' end of the integron. The aadA genes of DT104 and non-DT104 strains were different: in the former group the aadA2 gene, while in the latter group (constituted by strains of five different phages types as well as unclassifiable and untypable strains) the aadA1 gene could be identified. The RH50/RH51 primer pair described by Collis and Hall (1992) proved to be suitable for rapid discrimination between the aadA1 and aadA2 genes on the basis that the RH51 primer bound exclusively to the aadA2 gene.     

Endocrine characteristics of late pregnant hyperketonaemic ewes and their reproductive performance following the induction of ovarian cyclicity out of the breeding season

Ketosis was diagnosed in a flock of Merino ewes that conceived from synchronised oestrus in the early autumn period. On day 140 of pregnancy the ewes were sampled for determination of betaOH-butyrate (BHB), AST, glucose, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), total cholesterol (TCH), insulin, T4, T3, cortisol, IGF-1 and leptin. The results were evaluated according to the number of fetuses born some days later and the presence of hyperketonaemia (BHB: > or = 1.60 mmol/l). In May, about 3 months after lambing, cyclic ovarian function was induced (Cronolone + eCG), and the ewes were inseminated artificially (AI) 48 h after the removal of gestagen-containing sponge. At the time of AI and 10 days later blood samples were collected again to check the plasma levels of the same constituents as previously (in samples taken at AI), and to monitor the ovarian response by assaying progesterone (in both samples). On day 140 of gestation significantly lower BHB levels were detected in dams with single (n = 41) than in those with twin (n = 57) pregnancies. Hyperketonaemia was found only in ewes bearing twins (n = 27). These animals had higher NEFA and cortisol, and lower TCH, insulin, IGF-1, leptin and T3 levels than their normoketonaemic twin-bearing flock-mates, and those with single pregnancy. The blood glucose concentrations varied within a wide range, and the means of groups did not exhibit any significant differences. The formerly hyperketonaemic individuals were characterised by lower leptin level 3 months after lambing, and they showed a poorer response to the cycle-induction procedure than the others. The non-responders had lower IGF-1 and leptin levels than those ovulated after this treatment. It was concluded that the subclinical form of ovine ketosis is characterised by complex endocrine alterations, reflecting an obvious form of negative energy balance. If attempts to induce cyclic ovarian function outside the breeding season are made soon after lambing, the ovarian response and fertility of these ewes may also be depressed.     

Fire-derived charcoal causes loss of forest humus

Fire is a global driver of carbon storage and converts a substantial proportion of plant biomass to black carbon (for example, charcoal), which remains in the soil for thousands of years. Black carbon is therefore often proposed as an important long-term sink of soil carbon. We ran a 10-year experiment in each of three boreal forest stands to show that fire-derived charcoal promotes loss of forest humus and that this is associated with enhancement of microbial activity by charcoal. This result shows that charcoal-induced losses of belowground carbon in forests can partially offset the benefits of charcoal as a long-term carbon sink.     

Sublethal effects of oil on mollusc species from the Baltic Sea

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution - Sublethal effects of Iranian crude oil were studied using molluscs from the brackish Baltic Sea (salinity: 6 to 7%o S). In blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) low...     

Increase of leaf tipburn in chervil and lettuce by restricting volume of growing medium

Abstract

The objective of this investigation was to examine the effect of restriction of growing medium volume on the level of tipburn in chervil and leaf lettuce. Chervil: The plants were grown in different sizes of rock wool cubes: a. 31 cm³, b. 64 cm³, c. 135 cm³. The incidence of tipburned leaves decreased by increasing the size of cubes. Leaf lettuce: Plants were grown in different sizes of pots: 12 cm pots with capacity of 0.6 L and 8 cm pots with capacity of 0.25 L. The incidence of tipburned leaves increased by decreasing pot size.     

Red Algae (Rhodophyta) from the Coast of Madagascar: Preliminary Bioactivity Studies and Isolation of Natural Products

Several species of red algae (Rhodophyta) from the coastal regions of Madagascar have been investigated for their natural products. The most abundant compound was cholesterol (5) in combination with a series of oxidized congeners. The brominated indoles 1–3 along with the sesquiterpene debilone (4) have been isolated from Laurencia complanata. For the first time, debilone (4) has been obtained from a marine plant. From the methanol extract of Calloseris sp., we have achieved the second isolation of the unusual A-ring contracted steroids (−)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-2β-hydroxy-A-nor-cholest-5-en-4-one (9) and phorbasterone B (10). The crude extracts of Laurencia complanata exhibited antimicrobial activity against Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Candida albicans.