The role of oxylipins and antioxidants on off-flavor precursor formation during potato flake processing

The impact of processing on nonenzymatic antioxidant degradation and lipid oxidation leading to off-flavor development in potato flakes during storage was investigated. Lipoxygenase activity measurements in parallel with the analysis of lipid oxidation products (oxylipins) profiles using HPLC showed that the processing conditions used inhibited efficiently enzymatic lipid oxidation. However, nonenzymatic lipid oxidation products were found throughout processing and in fresh potato flakes. Furthermore, these autoxidative processes cannot be inactivated by the main endogenous nonenzymatic antioxidants in potato tubers (ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds and carotenoids), as these antioxidants are degraded during processing. Indeed, leaching and thermal treatments taking place during processing lead to a decrease of about 95%, 82% and 27% in the content of ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds and carotenoids, respectively. Therefore, storage is a critical step to prevent off-flavor development in potato flakes. Specific attention has thus to be paid on the use of efficient exogenous antioxidants as well as on storage conditions.     

A case of verminous mastitis in a mare

This report describes bilateral mammary gland infection with a previously unidentified Cephalobus species of nematode. Only one previous case of verminous mastitis due to a Cephalobus species has been reported, pre-dating the widespread use of molecular diagnostics. This report describes the case presentation and management, as well as the morphological and molecular methods of nematode identification.     

深圳地区红树植物淡水种植试验

2004-2010年,在深圳地区进行了红树植物淡水种植及品种筛选试验。在红树植物育苗方面,7个受试品种(秋茄、桐花树、海漆、海桑、无瓣海桑、木榄和老鼠勒)均获得了成功,出苗率较好;在种植方面,9个品种(木榄、桐花树、海桑、无瓣海桑、秋茄、海漆、老鼠勒、银叶树和竹节树)均能在淡水环境中存活。海桑、无瓣海桑和竹节树生长较好,在构建淡水人工湿地时,应优先选用。在2008年冬季受到异常低温干扰时,有部分海桑植株死亡,但温度回升后,很快萌发新芽再生。秋茄和木榄生长缓慢,植株生长2～3年仍不能成林。海漆在水位变化大且沙泥质河滩地生长情况良好,对生境条件要求严格。桐花生长情况良好,在淡水环境条件下虽能开花,但结果不良。老鼠勒虽能存活,但长势不理想。     

Evidence that Austropuccinia psidii may complete its sexual life cycle on Myrtaceae

The rust fungus Austropuccinia psidii has spread globally and naturalized in areas with naïve species of Myrtaceae. Previous studies have revealed multiple strains of A. psidii within South America and two strains outside of its native range. The rust spreads by windborne mitotic urediniospores, which are the dominant spore stage. Teliospores and basidiospores of A. psidii are also formed; however, the biological role of these stages in the life cycle is unknown. Experiments presented here tested whether basidiospores of A. psidii could infect Syzygium jambos. The sori produced by infection with basidiospores were screened with five microsatellite markers to confirm whether they were a product of recombination. The findings showed that basidiospores of A. psidii could cause infection on species of Myrtaceae and the resulting sori were a product of recombination. This has important implications for programmes that breed for resistance to this aggressive pathogen in commercial eucalypt forestry.     

加强农业技术推广体系建设的对策

农业技术推广体系是促进农业发展方式转变的重要支撑,以政府为主体的农业技术推广体系,已经不适应农村经济社会发展和新农村建设的需要。针对中国现行农业技术推广体系存在的问题,加强农业技术推广体系建设,必须推进农业技术推广体制改革,构建以政府为主导的多元化农业技术推广组织,完善农业技术推广保障机制,加强农业技术推广人才队伍建设,提高农业技术推广人才队伍素质,继续完善农业科技特派员制度。     

Nematode resistance in bananas: screening results on some wild and cultivated accessions of Musa spp.

Bananas cultivated for export all belong to Cavendish cultivars and are all recognized as very susceptible to nematodes, particularly to the burrowing nematode Radopholus similis and the lesion nematode Pratylenchus coffeae. Even if there have been many changes in the management of banana nematodes in large commercial banana plantations, chemical control still remains most often the last resort method to manage the nematodes, although the number of registered products is definitely declining. Therefore, nematode control though genetic improvement is gaining new interest worldwide. In this study, 55 banana accessions mostly diploids from the Musa acuminata genome group (AA) but including some triploid accessions (AAA), some diploids of the Musa balbisiana genome group (BB) and some interspecific hybrids (AAB, AB) were evaluated for resistance to four nematode species R. similis, P. coffeae, Meloidogyne incognita and M. arenaria. These experiments were conducted in a growth chamber under controlled conditions. All banana accessions were susceptible to nematode species, although many different levels of susceptibility were detected. This study confirmed the good resistance status to R. similis of some cultivars from the Pisang jari buaya and Pisang batuau subgroups and the partial resistance of 17 diploid accessions significantly different from the susceptible reference cv. Grande Naine. This study also showed that 12 diploid accessions exhibited a partial resistance to P. coffeae, including some usual or potential genitors belonging to the wild diploids subspecies burmannica (cvs. Long Tavoy 1 and 2) and burmannicoides (cv. Calcutta 4). No source of resistance to Meloidogyne spp. was found. These screening results, combining for the first time four nematode species, are discussed within the scope of banana breeding in order to produce parental diploid lines with single or combined nematode resistances and further develop triploids that can substitute existing susceptible commercial cultivars.     

中华鳖不同生态养殖模式对池塘水环境及养殖效果的影响

利用条件相近的两组池塘,对中华鳖(Trionyx sinensis)的两种生态模式(Ⅰ组:中华鳖-吃食性鱼类鲤和草鱼模式;Ⅱ组:中华鳖-杂食性水生动物鲫和螺模式)对池塘水环境以及养殖效果的影响进行对比试验。结果表明,Ⅱ组CODMn在7、8、和9月显著低于Ⅰ组(P<0.05),NH3在6、7、8和9月显著低于Ⅰ组(P<0.05),TP在7月和8月显著低于Ⅰ组(P<0.05),TN在6、7和8月显著低于Ⅰ组(P<0.05),NO2--N在6月和7月显著低于Ⅰ组(P<0.05),Ⅱ组水环境质量较Ⅰ组好。Ⅱ组检出藻类47种,Ⅰ组34种,Ⅱ组种类显著增多(P<0.05);Ⅰ组蓝藻重量占83.18%,硅藻2.98%,隐藻2.65%,甲藻0%,Ⅱ组蓝藻58.59%,硅藻13.44%,隐藻14.00%,甲藻7.07%,Ⅱ组蓝藻明显下降,而硅藻、隐藻、甲藻明显上升(P<0.05)。6月Ⅰ组平均生物量4.18mg/L,Ⅱ组2.57mg/L,8月Ⅰ组29.04mg/L,Ⅱ组5.41mg/L,6月和8月Ⅰ组生物量均显著高于Ⅱ组(P<0.05)。Ⅰ组Shannon-Wiener指数H’在6月和8月均值分别为2.117和0.7467,Ⅱ组均值分别为2.5427和1.0178,Ⅱ组6月和8月H’均明显增加(P<0.05);在6月,Ⅱ组Margalef丰富度指数d为1.8516,Ⅰ组为1.2499,Ⅱ组较Ⅰ组上升明显(P<0.05);两组的Pielou匀度均指数J差别不大。Ⅱ组中华鳖平均产量11782.5kg/hm2,显著高于Ⅰ组11482.5kg/hm2(P<0.05)。     

Survival and long-term growth of eucalypts on semi-arid sites in a Mediterranean climate,South Africa§

Four experiments were established on the semi-arid west coast plain of South Africa during the 1990s. The trails tested the survival and growth of several eucalypt species and hybrids, some of which were established in a climate that is drier than their natural distribution range. The aridity indices (AI; defined as mean annual precipitation [MAP]/mean annual potential evapotranspiration) ranged from 0.21 to 0.36 and MAP from 228 to 423 mm. The driest trial site (AI = 0.21 and MAP = 228) had high levels of mortality. However, a number of species (in particular, Eucalyptus gomphocephala, E. camaldulensis and E. tereticornis, as well as individual hybrids of the latter two species with E. grandis) survived and grew well at the remaining sites. Eucalyptus cladocalyx survived well and attained competitive growth rates only on the wettest site in the group (AI = 0.36). The dominant height of the top-performing genotypes at age 5 ranged between 9 and 10 m on the two wetter sites. This corresponded to mean annual increment values in excess of 10 m³ ha^?1 a^?1, which is comparable to volume obtained at more favourable aridity indices in the summer rainfall zone of South Africa and exceeds the growth rates obtained in several other arid zone studies globally. The E. grandis × E. camaldulensis hybrid ranked among the top performers in two trials, but its susceptibility to recently introduced pests and relatively poor wood quality makes it a less attractive choice for planting. The high density and durability of timber, acceptable growth rate (given the low rainfall conditions), and low pest and disease incidence make E. gomphocephala and E. cladocalyx the species of choice for planting in the drier and relatively wetter sections of the semi-arid zone, respectively.     

Antioxidant activity and soluble sugars of African ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus) in response to irrigation regimen and nitrogen levels

African ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus), as a medicinal plant, is known for its medicinal properties, containing various antioxidant compounds and carbohydrates. Rhizome yield is improved by water regimens and fertilizers applied at plant phenological stages. However, the rhizomatous herb, which is traditionally used for the treatment of asthma, inflammation and malaria has limited information on water and nitrogen requirements for its production. This study assessed the effect of irrigation regimens (30%, 50% and 70% allowable depletion level (ADL) and nitrogen (N) levels (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200?kg?ha^?1) on antioxidant activity and carbohydrates on plant leaf, root and rhizome. The interaction treatment effect of severely stressed (70% ADL) with the N application of 100?kg?ha^?1 had significant effect on leaf phenolic concentration (87.02?±?2.51?mg?g^?1 gallic acid equivalent). Interaction effect of moderately stressed (50% ADL) and severely stressed (70% ADL) treatment with N application rate of 0?kg?ha^?1 had significant effect on plant flavonoids and phenolics in all plant parts. In plant carbohydrates, root had high sucrose content (47.68?±?9.0?mg?g^?1 dry weight) with the application of low N (0?kg?ha^?1) grown under severely stressed treatment. In conclusion, this implies that different S. aethiopicus parts can produce substantial amount of antioxidants and carbohydrates, as exhibited under low N and reduced water supply applied during the phenological cycle.