Chemical composition and glycemic index of Brazilian pine (Araucaria angustifolia) seeds

The seeds of Parana pine (Araucaria brasiliensis syn. Araucaria angustifolia), named pinh?o, are consumed after cooking and posterior dehulling, or they are used to prepare a flour employed in regional dishes. Native people that live in the South of Brazil usually consume baked pinh?o. As a result of cooking, the white seeds become brown on the surface due to the migration of some tinted compounds present in the seed coat. In this work, the proximate composition, minerals, flavonoids, and glycemic index (GI) of cooked and raw pinh?o seeds were compared. No differences in moisture, lipids, soluble fiber, and total starch after boiling were found. However, the soluble sugars and P, Cu, and Mg contents decreased, probably as a consequence of leaching in the cooking water. Also, the boiling process modified the profile of the phenolic compounds in the seeds. No flavonols were detected in raw pinh?o seeds. The internal seed coat had a quercetin content five times higher than that of the external seed coat; also, quercetin migrated into the seed during cooking. The internal seed coat had a high content of total phenolics, and seeds cooked in normal conditions (with the seed coat) showed a total phenolics content five times higher than that of seeds cooked without the seed coat. Cooking was then extremely favorable to pinh?o seeds bioactive compounds content. The carbohydrate availability was evaluated in a short-term assay in humans by the GI. The GI of pinh?o seeds cooked with the coat (67%) was similar to that of the seeds cooked without a coat (62%) and lower than bread, showing that cooking does not interfere with starch availability. The low glycemic response can be partly due to its high content of resistant starch (9% of the total starch).     

GENETICALLY MODIFIED AND CONVENTIONAL DRY BEAN GENOTYPE RESPONSES TO SOIL FERTILITY

Dry bean is important pulse for the diet of South American population and results related to comparison of genetically modified and conventional dry bean genotypes to soil fertility are limited. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to compare genetically modified and conventional dry bean genotypes to soil fertility. Genotypes evaluated were Olathe Pinto, Olathe 5.1 (genetically modified), BRS Pontal, BRS Pontal 5.1 (genetically modified), Pérola and Pérola 5.1 (genetically modified). Fertility levels were 1 g fertilizer (5-30-15) kg^?1 soil (low fertility level) and 2 g fertilizer (5-30-15) per kg soil (high fertility level). These fertility levels were designated as low and high, respectively. Grain yield, number of pods per plants, and seed per pod were significantly increased with the increase in soil fertility. Shoot dry weight, seed per pod, and 100 seed weight were also significantly influenced by genotype treatment. Fertility X genotypes interaction was significant for maximum root length and root dry weight, indicating genotypes responded differently at two fertility levels in relations to these two traits. Shoot dry weight, number of pods per plant, and grain harvest index had significant association with grain yield, indicating that increase in these three traits grain yield can be increased. Grain yield efficiency index (GYEI) was having significant linear association with grain yield. Hence, on the basis of GYEI, genotypes were classified as efficient (E), moderately efficient (ME), and inefficient in nutrient use. Three conventional genotypes (Olathe Pinto, BRS Pontal and Pérola) and one genetically modified genotype (Olathe Pinto 5.1) were classified as moderately efficient and two genetically modified genotypes (Pérola 5.1 and BRS Pontal 5.1) were classified as efficient. None of the genotypes fall into the inefficient group.     

Molecular analysis of resistance mechanisms to Orobanche cumana in sunflower

Resistance to the dicotyledenous parasite Orobanche cumana in sunflower is characterized by a low number of parasitic attachments and a confinement of the parasite in host tissues leading to its necrosis. To help understand what determines such resistance mechanisms, molecular, biochemical and histological approaches were employed before (early response) and after (late response) attachment of the broomrape parasite to susceptible (2603) and resistant (LR1) sunflower genotypes. The expression patterns of 11 defence-related genes known to be involved in different metabolic pathways (phenylpropanoids, jasmonate, ethylene) and/or in resistance mechanisms against microorganisms were investigated. RT-PCR and cDNA blot experiments revealed that the resistant genotype exhibited a stronger overall defence response against O. cumana than the susceptible one, involving marker genes of the jasmonate (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) pathways. Among them, the SA-responsive gene, def. (defensin), appeared to be characteristic of LR1 sunflower resistance. However, no JA accumulation and similar SA contents (250–300 ng g⁻¹ FW) were measured by GC/MS in both genotypes, parasitized or not. In addition, three cDNAs, isolated by a suppression-subtractive hybridization, were shown to be strongly induced only in the resistant genotype 8 days post-inoculation, when the first O. cumana attachments occurred. These genes, putatively encoding a methionine synthase, a glutathione S-transferase and a quinone oxidoreductase, might be involved in detoxification of reactive oxygen species, suggesting the occurrence of an oxidative burst during the incompatible interaction. Finally, host cell-wall modifications leading to parasite-confinement were correlated with more intense callose depositions in the resistant genotype, concomitant with over-expression of the callose synthase cDNA HaGSL1 .     

Redistribution of 10B Absorbed by Leaves and Roots of Cashew Seedlings

Boron (B) is transported mainly in the xylem, but by using isotopic tracers it was possible to verify that B has significant mobility in the phloem of polyols-producing species. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the mobility of ¹⁰B applied to cashew plants. The experiment was conducted from 05/10 to 07/10/2010 in a greenhouse of University of São Paulo State-UNESP, Ilha Solteira Campus, State of São Paulo, Brazil. 0.5 mg of B L^?1 of soil was used in the substrate. A solution of 255 mg of B L^?1 was used in recently mature and fully developed leaves. The total content of B and and percentage of boron in the plant derived from fertilizer (Bppf%) were evaluated in the old and new leaves stemming at 30 and 60 days after the application of ¹⁰B. As evidenced, B applied to leaves had restricted mobility in cashew tree. However, B applied in the substrate was absorbed and translocated to young leaves.     

Genotypic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in sheep from Brazilian slaughterhouses: new atypical genotypes and the clonal type II strain identified

Toxoplasma gondii strains are genetically diverse in South America. To date, hundreds of T. gondii isolates from different animal hosts were genotyped in Brazil, most of them are different from those identified around the world. This study aimed to determine T. gondii infection rate in sheep from Brazilian slaughterhouses, as well as the genotype of these isolates. T. gondii antibodies were detected in 66/602 (10.96%) serum samples through modified agglutination test (MAT) and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). MAT-HS and IFAT-IgG presented high concordance (0.95) and strong correlation (r=0.79). T. gondii DNA was detected in tissue samples of 33% (22/66) serum positive sheep by PCR of the 529 bp repetitive element. In the bioassay in mice, T. gondii were detected in mice brain or muscle tissues in 30% (20/66) of serum positive sheep. Positive samples were typed through Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP-PCR) using 11 markers: SAG1, SAG2 (5'-3'SAG2 and alt.SAG2), SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, L358, c22-8, c29-6, PK1, Apico and CS3. Of 22 samples, 13 were positive and 9 genotypes were identified. Four of these 9 genotypes are unique. Nine samples had negative results in RFLP-PCR typing, which may be due to low DNA concentration. Six isolates were virulent killing mice between 12 and 25 days postinfection. Two non-virulent isolates belonged to clonal type II genotype, which were not observed in Brazil previously. These findings confirm the high diversity and high frequency of virulent genotypes among Brazilian animals. This study also proved the presence of type II T. gondii in Brazil.     

Novel derivatives of ent-17,19-dihydroxy-16betaH-kaurane obtained by biotransformation with Verticillium lecanii

In the search for new routes in the synthesis of hydroxylated kaurane diterpenoids, Verticillium lecanii, grown in a mineral liquid medium for 48 h, was fed with ent-17,19-dihydroxy-16betaH-kaurane, obtained by hydroboration/oxidation of kaurenoic acid, a natural product easily isolated from plants of the genera Xylopia (Annonaceae) and Wedelia (Asteraceae). After 14 days, the culture medium was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the metabolites were purified by column chromatography on silica gel. The results show that V. lecanii biotransformed the starting material into three novel compounds: ent-11alpha,17,19-trihydroxy-16betaH-kaurane; ent-7alpha,17,19-trihydroxy-16betaH-kaurane; and ent-7beta,17,19-trihydroxy-16betaH-kaurane, the structures of which were fully elucidated by using classical and modern two-dimensional NMR techniques.     

Less is more: Little seed processing required for direct seeding in seasonal tropics

Seed processing and dormancy break treatments are recommended for rendering seeds restoration-ready. Conversely, fruit structures and seed coats may protect seeds from environmental harm in the field. We evaluated the effects of seed processing (by either keeping fruit structures or extracting seeds) and/or scarification (of physically dormant seeds) on the seedling emergence and establishment of 10 legume tree species from tropical forests and savannas of Central Brazil. We sowed seeds in a greenhouse for reference and in a field experiment conducted in tilled ready-to-seed sites. We monitored seedling emergence and survival for a year. We calculated the costs of harvesting, processing, and pretreating seeds, and considered the final cost of a 1-year-old seedling. Seed extraction resulted in lower emergence for most species in the greenhouse and in the field. It also accelerated emergence of three and four species in the greenhouse and the field, respectively. Scarification resulted in lower seedling emergence in the field for half of the species, while it increased emergence of three species in the greenhouse. Most species presented accelerated emergence both in the greenhouse and the field. The seedling cost was 1.6 to 74.6 times higher when seeds were processed, and 1.3 to 6.0 times when seeds were scarified, except for one species. Keeping fruit structures and seed coats reduced the costs of seeds and increased the success of direct seeding.

     

Variability of resistance in goats infected with Haemonchus contortus in Brazil

The variability between and within breeds with respect to nematode egg counts (EPG), packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin (Hb) was studied in 36 yearling female goats of the Caninde (15), Bhuj (6) and Anglo-Nubian (15) breeds, exposed to Haemonchus contortus. Nematode-free goats were turned to a contaminated paddock in late February. From then on, fecal egg per gram counts (EPG), packed cell volume (PCV) and hemoglobin (Hb) were determined at 2-week intervals up to Week 18. The EPG, transformed as [log(EPG + 75)], varied (P < 0.01) between goats within breeds and between weeks of exposure, but not between goat breeds (P > 0.05). PCV and Hb were affected by goat breeds (P < 0.05), by goats within breeds (P < 0.01) and by weeks of exposure (P < 0.01). Anglo-Nubians had higher (P < 0.01) PCV and Hb than Caninde; Bhuj had intermediate values. There were two EPG rises; one between Weeks 6 and 10 and the other between Weeks 14 and 16. The within breed variability was marked during the EPG rise on Week 6, when individual egg counts ranged from 130 to 2500. The EPG rises coincided with drops in Hb. PCV presented a similar trend, though not as marked. Haemonchus was responsible for more than 95% of nematode eggs counted. Considering the goat as experimental unit, the correlation coefficients (r) were: -0.45, P = 0.0064, between log(EPG + 75) and PCV; and -0.53, P = 0.0009, between log(EPG + 75) and Hb. The negative correlation between egg counts and blood values suggested breed differences in PCV and Hb were related to resistance to H. contortus infection and/or to its effects.     

The Sustainability of Quinoa Production in Southern Bolivia: from Misrepresentations to Questionable Solutions. Comments on Jacobsen (2011, J. Agron. Crop Sci. 197: 390–399)

Reviewing the situation of quinoa production in southern Bolivia, Jacobsen (2011, J. Agron. Crop Sci. 197: 390) argues that the booming export market has a negative effect on the environment and on the home consumption of quinoa, thereby leading to an environmental disaster in the region. In view of the scarcity of scientific knowledge on the rapid social and environmental dynamics in the region, we consider that Jacobsen’s review misrepresents the situation of quinoa production in southern Bolivia. Specifically, we argue that (i) the data presented by Jacobsen (2011, J. Agron. Crop Sci. 197: 390) do not support any drop in quinoa crop yield supposed to reflect soil degradation and (ii) his demonstration regarding home consumption of quinoa is ill‐founded from both a nutritional and a cultural point of view. We suggest that the diffusion of the arguments exposed by Jacobsen (2011, J. Agron. Crop Sci. 197: 390), because of their flaws, might have strong negative impacts on those concerned with sustainable food production and fair‐trade with developing countries. We conclude that, rather than reinforced agro‐technical controls on local farmers, the rising competition in the international quinoa market requires a shift towards an ethical economy and ethical research cooperation with quinoa producers.