High vegetative compatibility diversity of Cryphonectria parasitica infecting sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) in Britain indicates multiple pathogen introductions

Chestnut blight, caused by Cryphonectria parasitica, was identified in Devon, UK, in December 2016. Intensive surveys detected the disease at further sites in Devon (seven), Berkshire (one), Dorset (one), Derbyshire (four) and a cluster of eight sites in southeast London. Over 570 survey samples were tested, and 227 were positive for C. parasitica by isolation and real-time PCR. A total of 227 isolates were tested for mating type, and 197 screened for vegetative compatibility group (VCG) and compared with VCGs known from mainland Europe. The same isolates were also screened for the presence of Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV-1). Eleven VCGs were identified within the UK population. Five corresponded to already known European VCGs but six were unique. The European VCGs mainly came from the Devon, Dorset, Berkshire and Derbyshire disease outbreaks, whilst unique VCGs were almost exclusively from the southeast London cluster. Both mating types were detected, but only one mating type was present at each site, with the exception of a single Devon site. Perithecia of C. parasitica were never observed at any site. CHV-1 was found in seven isolates from three different locations and was always subtype-I, which has limited hypovirulence. Therefore, although CHV-1 is associated with C. parasitica at some outbreaks, it probably has limited impact on virulence. The diversity of VCGs and their distribution at outbreak sites, together with findings of CHV-1, suggests C. parasitica has been introduced to the UK multiple times over at least two decades through international plant trade.     

Root-growth response of winter barley to subsoiling

Root growth of winter barley was studied on 2 Belgian silt loam soils after subsoiling to 60 cm depth. In the first field (well-drained) rooting depth increased significantly after removal of a plough pan. At the flowering stage, total root weight in the soil layers between 25–50 cm and 50–75 cm was 125% and 325%, respectively, higher on the subsoiled plots than on the control. The P₂O₅ and K₂O concentrations in the roots were significantly increased by 20% and 40%, respectively. In the second field (imperfectly drained) with initially relatively high bulk densities in the subsoil, the influence of subsoiling was negligible. In this study, the clearly-shown root-growth retardation that resulted in a lower yield on the control, seemed to be caused by the high penetration resistance in the plough sole (> 3MPA) rather than poor aeration status induced by the high bulk densities.     

Evaluation of the simultaneous effects of processing parameters on the iron and zinc solubility of infant sorghum porridge by response surface methodology

The purpose of this study was to improve the micronutrient quality of indigenous African infant flour using traditional techniques available in the region. Response surface methodology was used to study the effect of duration of soaking, germination, and fermentation on phytate and phenolic compounds (PC), pH, viscosity, and the in vitro solubility (IVS) of iron and zinc in infant sorghum flour. The phytate and the PC concentrations of the flour were significantly modified as a result of the duration of germination and fermentation and their mutual interaction. These modifications were accompanied by a significant increase in % IVS Zn after 24 h of sprouting. Except for the interaction of soaking and fermentation, none of the processing parameters exerted a significant effect on the % IVS Fe. The viscosity of the porridge prepared with the flour decreased significantly with the duration of germination, making it possible to produce a porridge with high energy and nutrient density. The use of germination in combination with fermentation is recommended in the processing of cereals for infant feeding in developing countries.     

Influence of storage practices on acrylamide formation during potato frying

A number of parameters linked to storage of potatoes were evaluated with regard to their potential to influence the acrylamide formation in French fries. Acrylamide, which is a potential human carcinogen, is reported to be formed during the frying of potatoes as a result of the reactions between asparagine and reducing sugars. This study was conducted using three potato varieties (Bintje, Ramos, and Saturna) typically used in Belgium, The Netherlands, and the northern part of France for French fry and crisp production. Saturna, mainly used in crisp production, appeared to be the least susceptible for acrylamide formation during frying. Especially storage at low temperatures (4 degrees C) compared to storage at 8 degrees C seemed to enhance acrylamide formation due to a strong increase in reducing sugars caused by low-temperature storage. Because of the reversible nature of this physiological reaction, it was possible to achieve a significant reduction of the reducing sugars after a reconditioning of the cold-stored potatoes for 3 weeks at 15 degrees C. All changes in acrylamide concentrations could mainly be explained by the reducing sugar content of the potato (R2 = 0.84, n = 160). This means that, by ensuring a low reducing sugar content of the potato tuber, the risk for acrylamide formation will largely be reduced. Finally the use of a sprout inhibitor did not influence the composition of the potato, and thus acrylamide formation was not susceptible to this treatment.     

1：25万土壤及地形数据库及指标体系研究

根据土壤及地形(SOTER)数据库基本原理和方法建立1：25万SOTER数据库,重点研究和修正大中比例尺SOTER主地形体划分指标体系,提出海拔高度分组指标、坡度分组指标和地势起伏强度分组指标,并利用上述3个指标组合计算出样区SOTER主地形体组分(中坡度丘陵、低坡度山体台地、山谷、中坡度山体、山前倾斜平原和冲洪积平原),以进一步发展和完善SOTER数据库理论方法体系。同时,SOTER数据库的建立使原有的历次土壤普查、国土资源详查的资料信息化,使之服务于土地资源的评价、管理与保护。     

Development of an indirect competitive ELISA for flumequine residues in raw milk using chicken egg yolk antibodies

To detect flumequine in raw milk, an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed. By carbodiimide conjugation, flumequine was conjugated to cationized bovine serum albumin (cBSA-flumequine) and to cationized ovalbumin (cOVA-flumequine). For the immunization of chickens, cBSA-flumequine was used, which allowed the isolation of specific chicken egg yolk immunoglobulins (IgY) for flumequine. As the coating antigen in the immunoassay, cOVA-flumequine was used. In the indirect competitive assay, standard flumequine was incubated together with the anti-flumequine antibodies. The antibody by which the lowest concentration of free flumequine that gives 50% inhibition of binding (IC50) was found in aqueous dilution was further tested for the applicability to detect flumequine in raw milk. An IC50 level in milk was reached that was about 5 times lower than in aqueous solution. So flumequine can be detected directly in raw milk at maximum residue level (50 microg/kg). No cross-reactivity was noticed with various related quinolones.     

Effect of moisture content during dry-heating on selected physicochemical and functional properties of dried egg white

This article addresses the effect of moisture content (0.8-9.9%) during dry-heating (80 degrees C) on selected physicochemical (solubility, turbidity, residual denaturation enthalpy, aggregation, surface hydrophobicity, and sulfhydryl content) and functional (foaming ability, foam density, and stability) properties of freeze-dried egg white (FDEW). Moisture content during dry-heating proved to be a parameter determining the functionality of the resulting egg white powder. The degree of conformational changes induced in the egg white proteins by dry-heating was strongly dependent on the amount of water present. Preferentially, dry-heating at 80 degrees C should be performed on egg white powder with a moisture content below 6.8%, as the loss of protein solubility above this value is extensive. In addition to insoluble aggregates, soluble, strongly stabilized aggregates were also formed, especially at higher moisture contents. The decrease in denaturation enthalpy, increase in surface hydrophobicity, and exposure of SH groups previously hidden in the protein core and their subsequent oxidation were more pronounced at prolonged dry-heating times and at higher moisture contents. These conformational changes resulted in improved foaming ability and foams with lower density. No effect of dry-heating on the foam stability was observed.     

Validating the use of Cs measurements to estimate rates of soil redistribution by wind

Wind erosion has degraded over one-half billion hectares of land worldwide. ¹³⁷Cesium (¹³⁷Cs) has been used as a tracer to study long-term rates of soil redistribution by water and, to a lesser extent, by wind. Early studies assumed that the decline in ¹³⁷Cs activity for a potentially eroded soil relative to that for an uneroded soil was linearly proportional to soil loss. More recently, models have emerged that consider the effects of soil cultivation and the particle surface area-dependent partitioning of ¹³⁷Cs on soils. We investigated the partitioning of ¹³⁷Cs in wind-eroded sediments and with soil surface samples sieved into contiguous ranges of particle sizes. We also compared the ¹³⁷Cs activities and stratification of several adjacent soils with known wind erosion and deposition histories. Finally, we tested ¹³⁷Cs-based soil loss models with measured data from sites with documented histories. ¹³⁷Cs activities and mean particle diameters of aeolian samples agreed well with the ¹³⁷Cs activities and respective mean diameters of the sieved surface soil samples. Good agreement between model estimations and measured data indicated that ¹³⁷Cs models developed to estimate soil redistribution by water were also applicable to soil redistribution by wind provided that the models contained an appropriate particle size correction parameter.     

Potential chemical time bombs in the schelde estuary

The Schelde estuary is heavily polluted with many different (micro)pollutants. This results in high concentrations in the abiotic and biotic compartments of the Schelde estuary and in various effects. the present day suboxic and anoxic conditions in the upper estuary are probably responsible for the high distribution coefficients for some trace metals in the lower Schelde estuary (Western Schelde). a future reduction in discharges with a high biological oxygen demand will therefore not only result in higher oxygen concentrations, but probably also in lower distribution coefficients for trace metals in the Western Schelde. Simulations show that lower trace metal distribution coefficients will probably result in higher concentrations of dissolved (bioavailable) trace metals, even with substantially reduced discharge rates, due to the desorption of trace metals from resuspended bottom sediments.