Effect of the Cooking Process on the Gelling Properties of Whole and Minced Jumbo Lump of Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus)

Commercially, crab meat is obtained by hand-picking after a cooking process, followed by pasteurizing or canning. Jumbo lump is one of the pieces of meat obtained from the blue crab. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the commercial cooking process (boiling and steaming) on the mechanical and functional properties of whole jumbo lump and the gels obtained from cooked and minced jumbo lump from blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). The gels were prepared combining the washing process and microbial transglutaminase. The boiling and steaming processes showed a different effect on the textural and color properties. Whole jumbo lump pieces cooked by immersion in boiling water showed a higher hardness value as compared to steamed jumbo lump pieces, suggesting a different internal structural. The cooking processes used in this study did not modify the water holding capacity, gelling capability, or color of the minced jumbo lump. The addition of microbial transglutaminase to washed minced jumbo lump improved the hardness, cohesiveness, and chewiness of gels elaborated with boiled or steamed jumbo lump, which allowed the textural properties similar to those of the whole jumbo lump.     

Geosmin causes off‐flavour in arctic charr in recirculating aquaculture systems

The ‘earthy’ and ‘muddy’ off‐flavours in pond‐reared fish are due to the presence of geosmin or 2‐methylisoborneol in the flesh of the fish. Similar off‐flavours have been reported in fish raised in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS); however, little information is available regarding the cause of these off‐flavours. Our hypothesis was that earthy and muddy off‐flavour compounds, found previously in pond‐raised fish, are also responsible for off‐flavours in fish raised in RAS. In this preliminary study, we examined water, biofilms in RAS and fillets from cultured arctic charr known to have off‐flavours and requiring depuration using instrumental [solid‐phase microextraction procedure and gas chromatograph‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS)] and human sensory analyses. Geosmin was present in the samples taken from the biofilter and on the side walls of the tanks. Two‐methylisoborneol was only found in low levels in the samples. The GC‐MS results indicated the presence of geosmin in the fillets (705 ng kg^?1), but lower levels were found in the water (30.5 ng L^?1). Sensory analyses also detected an earthy flavour (i.e., geosmin presence) in the fillets, and, therefore, it appears that geosmin is the main compound responsible for the off‐flavour in RAS. Further studies are being performed to identify the microorganisms responsible for geosmin production in RAS.     

The role of dietary methionine concentrations on growth,metabolism and N‐retention in cobia (Rachycentron canadum) at elevated water temperatures

This study determined impacts of dietary methionine concentrations at two temperatures on growth, feeding efficiency and N‐metabolites in juvenile cobia. Methionine concentrations of the experimental diets were deficient (M9; 9 g/kg), sufficient (M12; 12 g/kg) and surplus (M16, 16 g/kg). Water temperature was normal (30°C) or elevated (34°C). Twenty cobia in triplicate tanks were fed the experimental diets for 6 weeks. Both methionine and temperature affected cobia's growth and feeding efficiency. Cobia fed M9 performed lower than the fish fed M12 and M16 diets. Additionally, cobia reared at 34°C performed poorer than at 30°C, probably due to lower voluntary feed intake in the fish reared at 34°C. Protein efficiency ratio and protein productive value in cobia fed M9 diet were less than M12 or M16 diets. This was confirmed with the improved retentions of indispensable amino acids (AAs). No interactions between methionine and temperature were observed in growth and protein accretion. At 30°C, CF improved, while HSI and VSI declined upon methionine supplementation levels. Of which an interaction between temperature and methionine was present. Plasma, muscle and liver free AA and N‐metabolites were affected by methionine and temperature. Furthermore, temperature affected cobia's lipid class composition, resulting in increased phospholipids and cholesterol at 34°C.     

Effects of no‐take area size and age of marine protected areas on fisheries yields: a meta‐analytical approach

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are often promoted as tools for biodiversity conservation as well as for fisheries management. Despite increasing evidence of their usefulness, questions remain regarding the optimal design of MPAs, in particular concerning their function as fisheries management tools, for which empirical studies are still lacking. Using 28 data sets from seven MPAs in Southern Europe, we developed a meta‐analytical approach to investigate the effects of protection on adjacent fisheries and asking how these effects are influenced by MPA size and age. Southern European MPAs showed clear effects on the surrounding fisheries, on the ‘catch per unit effort’ (CPUE) of target species, but especially on the CPUE of the marketable catch. These effects depended on the time of protection and on the size of the no‐take area. CPUE of both target species and the marketable catch increased gradually by 2–4% per year over a long time period (at least 30 years). The influence of the size of the no‐take area appeared to be more complex. The catch rates of the entire fishery in and around the MPA were higher when the no‐take areas were smaller. Conversely, catch rates of selected fisheries that were expected to benefit most from protection increased when the no‐take area was larger. Our results emphasize the importance of MPA size on its export functions and suggest that an adequate, often extended, time frame be used for the management and the evaluation of effectiveness of MPAs.     

基于植被覆盖率的农村居民点整理潜力估算及实证

为合理估算农村居民点整理潜力,该文提出基于植被覆盖率的农村居民点整理潜力测算新思路。借助植被覆盖率对农村居民点斑块进行分类,通过分析抽样农村居民点斑块的植被覆盖与内部用地结构得到整理潜力修正系数,从而建立基于植被覆盖率修正的农村居民点整理潜力估算模型,并以北京市门头沟区为例展开实证研究。研究结果表明,门头沟区无整理潜力的农村居民点占大多数,具有整理潜力的农村居民点主要集中在经济相对落后的乡镇,并且这部分农村居民点多远离主干道;山区具有中、高整理潜力的农村居民点略多于平原、浅山区,而低整理潜力的农村居民点明显多于平原、浅山区;门头沟区规划整理的农村居民点内部包含有大量农用地,其中建设用地比例只占63.19%～71.54%,但是,第二次土地调查将整个农村居民点都作为建设用地调绘;因而,一些不考虑植被覆盖修正的农村居民点整理潜力测算方法夸大了整理潜力,放大了城乡建设用地增减挂钩的效果。该文为进一步合理估算农村居民点整理理论潜力提供参考。     

77份文心兰种质资源表型性状遗传多样性分析

对文心兰77份种质资源的28个表型性状进行测定与评价,通过相关性分析、主成分分析及聚类分析获得其表型遗传多样性.结果表明:21个数量性状的遗传多样性指数均值达1.85,变化区间为1.36～2.07,其中数值最大为株幅(2.07);在7个质量形状中,除叶色性状外的其他表型性状的多样性指数均大于1,均值为1.23,最大表现...     

粳型水稻显性半矮秆突变体的发现与初步研究

 在中粳杂交组合“M9056 × R8018选”的F6 选种圃中，发现半矮秆突变单株。以纯合半矮秆单株为父、母本， 与稳定野生型高秆单株进行正、反杂交。种植 P1 、P2 、F1、F2 世代群体。结果表明F1 植株与半矮秆亲本基本相同， 仍然表现半矮秆。 说明该半矮秆突变材料的矮生性表达为显性， 无细胞质效应。F2 群体植株株高性状发生分离，其分离比符合一对等位基因的遗传模式，说明该半矮秆材料的矮生性表达受一对核基因控制。     

Variation and correlation analysis of flavonoids and carotenoids in Korean pigmented rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars

Flavonoids and carotenoids of pigmented rice ( Oryza sativa L.), including five black cultivars and two red cultivars, from Korea were characterized to determine the diversity among the phytochemicals and to analyze the relationships among their contents. Black cultivars were higher in flavonoids and carotenoids than the red and white cultivars. The profiles of eight phytochemicals identified from the rice grains were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA) to evaluate the differences among cultivars. PCA could fully distinguish between these cultivars. The Heugjinjubyeo (BR-1) and Heugseolbyeo (BR-2) cultivars were separated from the others based on flavonoid and carotenoid concentrations. Flavonoid contents had a positive correlation with carotenoid contents among all rice grains. The BR-1 and BR-2 cultivars appear to be good candidates for future breeding programs because they have simultaneously high flavonoid and carotenoid contents.     

Genetic and antigenic characterization of the surface lipoprotein P48 of Mycoplasma bovis

The presence of a membrane lipoprotein homologous to the P48 of Mycoplasma agalactiae was investigated in different Mycoplasma bovis isolates selected by geographical locations and biological properties. Its potential as a diagnostic tool was also discussed. The presence of a specific signal observed in all M. bovis field isolates probed with a rabbit antiserum raised against the M. agalactiae recombinant P48 demonstrated that this protein is structurally and antigenically conserved within the M. bovis cluster. No signal was detected when testing six different mycoplasma species found in cattle. The p48 gene was identified by PCR approach and partially sequenced. Full length gene sequence was obtained by direct bacterial chromosome sequencing. Five UGAs were selectively mutated into UGG and the full length mutated gene, lacking the signal peptide, was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified recombinant antigen (r-P48) was evaluated as a potential marker of infection using a panel of 86 well-characterized sera from experimentally and naturally infected cattle. Specific IgM antibodies were detected within 6-9 days after experimental infection followed by an IgG response lasting from the third/fourth week after contact. Although antibody titers were well below those observed in sheep or goats infected with M. agalactiae, results suggest that M. bovis r-P48 can be used as a specific marker of infection.