Development of flexible antimicrobial packaging materials against Campylobacter jejuni by incorporation of gallic acid into zein-based films

In this study, antimicrobial films were developed against Campylobacter jejuni by incorporation of gallic acid (GA) into zein-based films. The zein and zein-wax composite films containing GA between 2.5 and 10 mg/cm(2) were effective on different C. jejuni strains in a concentration-dependent manner. Zein and zein-wax composite films showed different release profiles in distilled water but quite similar release profiles at solid agar medium. Depending on incorporated GA concentration, 60-80% of GA released from the films, while the remaining GA was bound or trapped by film matrix. The GA at 2.5 and 5 mg/cm(2) caused a considerable increase in elongation (57-280%) of all zein films and eliminated their classical flexibility problems. The zein-wax composite films were less flexible than zein films, but the films showed similar tensile strengths and Young's modulus. Scanning electron microscopy indicated different morphologies of zein and zein-wax composite films. This study clearly showed the good potential of zein and GA to develop flexible antimicrobial films against C. jejuni.     

Resistance assessment of grapevine leaves to downy mildew with sporulation area scoring

The use of resistant individuals obtained through a breeding program, aimed at decreasing chemical treatments, is one of the most promising strategies for control of downy mildew caused by Plasmopara viticola in grapevine. In this study, 869 hybrid grape individuals, obtained by crossing the resistant Regent grape cultivar with sensitive Alphonse Lavallée, were tested after artificial inoculation of detached leaves by drops of the pathogen inoculum. Sporulation severity, as visual evaluation of sporulation density including necrosis, and sporulation incidence were scored to assess resistance level, then the sporulation area (mm²) was measured for each individual. The criterium of sporulation incidence could not describe all resistance levels. Sporulation area made it possible to measure the entire area in detail for how the pathogen spread at the inoculation site. Sporulation area was not fully consistent with sporulation severity. In this context, a new scale for sporulation area was developed to determine resistance level to the pathogen by taking into account the distribution of sporulation area values within those obtained from sporulation severity scales. Six categories ranging from 0 to 0.05 mm² (extremely resistant-ER) to ≥15.1 mm² (extremely sensitive-ES) were defined. 43 of the 869 individuals tested through the three evaluation criteria, in which no sporulation was observed, and 18 additional individuals with sporulation area of <0.05 mm² were scored in the ER group. Microscopic analysis confirmed findings for the ER group and other resistance levels. The authors suggest that the scale of sporulation area will be useful for assessment of resistance to downy mildew on grapevine leaves.

     

INOCULATION EFFECTS OF PANTOEA AGGLOMERANS STRAINS ON GROWTH AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF PLUM

In this study, five non-pathogenic Pantoea agglomerans strains were utilized. The objective of this study was to test for biochemical characteristics of these strains, and to evaluate their inoculation effects on fruit set rate, fruit pomological traits, fruit chemical compositions and some vegetative parameters of plum cultivar ‘Stanley’. The results showed that some of the tested strains had beneficial effects on the fruit set rate, fruit pomological traits, fruit chemical composition and/or some vegetative growth parameters of plum in comparison to the control. In conclusion, tested Pantoea agglomerans strains (especially RK-85) are the suitable inoculants for plum cultivation in cold areas such as Erzurum, and these strains may be considered as biofertilizer and protector sensitive plants against frost damage by applying in suitable timing and dose.     

Effects of three biochar types on activity of β-glucosidase enzyme in two agricultural soils of different textures

ABSTRACT

Biochar has attracted significant attention due to the long-lasting nature, and prominent influence on soil characteristics. This study was conducted to evaluate changes in the activity of β-glucosidase enzyme (BG) in loamy and sandy loam texture soils following two winter wheat growing seasons. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replicates and four treatments. The treatments were two soils, three biochars (rice husk, corn cob and bean harvest residue), five biochar rates (BR) and five levels of mineral fertilizers (FR) or dairy effluent (DE). The fertilizers were applied at the beginning of each season, while biochars were applied only at the beginning of experiment. Soil samples were collected following the second season and analyzed for the BG activity. Addition of biochars reduced the BG activity and the decline was higher in sandy loam compared to loamy soils. Negative effect of biochar to BG activity was greater at the highest BR (3.0%) than the lower BR. Fertilizer additions along with DE biochar had significant effect on BG activity that increased with higher FR. Given the importance of BG activity in soil organic matter decomposition, biochar application can be considered a sustainable way of increase in carbon sequestration.     

Effect of salinity on growth,photosynthesis and mineral composition in leguminous plant Alhagi pseudoalhagi (Bieb.)

Leguminous plant Alhagi pseudoalhagi was subjected to 0 (control), 50, 100, and 200 mM NaCI treatments during a 30 d period to examine the mechanism of tolerance to salinity. Plant dry weight, net CO₂ assimilation rate, leaf stomatal conductance, intercellular CO₂ concentration, and solute concentration in leaves, stems, and roots were determined. Total plant weight in the 50 mM treatment was 170% of that of the control after 10 d of treatment. Total plant weight was lower in the 100 and 200 mM treatments than in the control. The leaf CO₂ assimilation rate was approximately 150% of that of the control in the 50 mM treatment, but was not affected significantly by 100 mM of NaCI, while it was reduced to about 60% of that the control in the 200 mM treatment. Similarly stomatal conductance was consistent with the CO₂ assimilation rate regardless of the treatments. Intercellular CO₂ concentration was lower in the NaCI-treated plants than in the control. Changes in CO₂ assimilation rate due to salinity stress could be mainly associated with stomatal conductance and the carboxylation activity. Although the leaf Na⁺ concentration increased to 900 mmol kg^-1 dry weight in the 200 mM treatment compared to 20 mmol kg^-1 in the control, the plants did not die and continued to grow at such a high leaf Na⁺ concentration. Uptake and transportation rates of Na+, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and K⁺, and the accumulation of N were promoted by 50 mM NaCI. Na⁺ uptake rate continued to increase in response to external NaCI concentration. However, the uptake and transportation rates of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and K⁺ behaved differently under 100 and 200 mM salt stress. The results suggest that A. pseudoalhagi is markedly tolerant to salinity due mainly to its photosynthetic activity rather than to other physiological characteristics.     

Assessment of color strength and color difference values of polyester fabrics containing continuous weft yarns after abrasion

This paper assesses the color difference and color strength values (K/S) obtained for eight disperse-dyed polyester fabric samples with different fabric construction parameters (weft yarn type, weft yarn count, weft density and fabric weave) after four sets of abrasion cycles. Warp yarn type and count, warp density, and warp yarn twist are the same for all fabrics. Fabric samples are dyed in a commercial red disperse dye (C.I. Disperse Red 74:1) and four different abrasion cycles (2500, 5000, 7500, 10000) are used. TheK/S values of the abraided fabrics and color difference values between the control fabric (dyed but not abraided) and abraded fabrics are calculated. The main differences in theK/S and color difference values are observed between 0–2500 abrasion cycles. The high tenacity of the polyester fibers and continuous polyester yarns causes some fuzz but no pilling formation on the fabric surface that lead to increasedK/S values and color differences. Fiber dullness, yarn thickness, yarn density and fabric weave are concluded to have different effects on the appearance after abrasion.     

Laboratory and field evaluations of some botanical pesticides against the cedar leaf moth, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acleris undulana</Emphasis>

The cedar leaf moth (CLM), Acleris undulana Walsingham, has recently become an important pest in the cedar forests in southwestern Turkey. Control has focussed on the use of synthetic chemical pesticides, with little research having been conducted on alternative control methods. In this study, four botanical pesticides (two commercial neem products, Neemazal-T/S^® and Greeneem^® oil, and two hot water plant extracts, Origanum onites L. and Pimpinella anisum L.) were evaluated for their effects against young (first–second) and older (third–fifth) instar larvae of CLM under laboratory and field conditions. The results of larval dip bioassay in the laboratory showed that all the botanical pesticides tested had significant larvicidal activity against both young and older instars of CLM compared to the water-treated control. Of the botanical pesticides tested, Neemazal was the most larvicidal botanical, causing mortalities ranging from 84 to 100%, the least effective was the P. anisum extract, but at high concentrations this extract still caused significant mortality. Results from field trials also revealed that the botanical pesticides had larvicidal activity against CLM. Neemazal was the most larvicidal botanical, followed by Greeneem oil then by O. onites and finally by P. anisum. Our overall results suggest that all the botanical pesticides tested are promising as larvicides against CLM, and may provide an alternative control method that is more compatible with Integrated Pest Management programs than the use of synthetic chemical pesticides.     

促干剂对GA3处理和未处理无核白葡萄产量及品质的影响

[目的]研究促干剂对赤霉素(GA_3)处理和未处理无核白葡萄产量及品质的影响。[方法]以吐鲁番无核白葡萄为试验材料,开花结实期GA_3处理和未处理的无核白葡萄进行促干剂预处理,探讨其对产量和品质以及相关生理生化指标的影响。在GA_3处理和未处理的无核白葡萄开花结实前,均用促干剂处理,测定并计算出在制干过程中的脱水率、出干率、呼吸速率以及有机酸含量等指标参数。对消费者身体可能造成的健康隐患进行讨论。[结果]促干剂处理极显著地加速葡萄失水,并使失水速率随促干剂浓度而上升,而GA_3处理与未处理葡萄失水速率没有明显差异;促干剂提高制干过程前期葡萄的呼吸速率,而在中、后期的呼吸速率则降低,但GA_3处理与未处理的葡萄呼吸速率并没有明显的差异;GA_3对葡萄粒体积和葡萄鲜重有显著增效作用,但鲜葡萄出干率下降10%左右;用促干剂进行处理的无核白出干率有上升的趋势,但不具有实际统计学价值;促干剂与GA_3进行处理的无核白的有机酸含量均明显高于对照处理,并且存在显著交互作用。[结论]促干剂与赤霉素用于葡萄干生产会在一定程度上提高经济效益,但给消费者带来健康隐患,因此使用者需慎重考虑。     

Effect of Salt Stress on Photosynthetic Gas Exchange and Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters in Alhagi pseudalhagi

Soil salinity is one of the most important environmental factors limiting plant growth and productivity in many regions in the world. Salt stress directly affects plant photosynthesis, which is an important physiological process to limit plant growth and crop yield. But the effects of salt stress on the mechanism of the photosynthesis is still not clear. In this experiment, the salt tolerant plant Alhagi pseudalhagi was selected as the experiment material, and the salt sensitive plant Vigna radiata as the control, to explore the effects of salt stress on photosynthetic parameters of A. pseudalhagi. Plants were grown in a greenhouse,cultured with 1/2 Hoagland nutrient solution, treated by 0(control), 50, 100 or 200 s of mmol/L of NaCl solution for 12 d. Then,the chlorophyll contents, gas exchange parameters and chlorophyll a fluorescence in each treatment were measured. The results showed that under the salt stress simulated by 50 mmol/L NaCl, the net photosynthetic rate(Pn) and stomatal conductance(gs)of A. pseudalhagi were significantly increased compared with the control, while intercellular CO_2 concentration(Ci) was significantly decreased, Fv'/Fm', Fv/Fm and Fv/Fo were increased over time, but had no significant differences with the control ФPSⅡ,ETR and qP were significantly increased, and NPQ was significantly decreased. Under the salt stress simulated by 100 and 200mmol/L NaCl, Fv'/Fm', Fv/Fm, Fv/Fo, ФPSⅡ and qP of A. pseudalhagi were gradually decreased over time. In contrary, under the salt stress simulated by 50 and 100 mmol/L NaCl, the Pn, gs, Ci, Fv'/Fm', Fv/Fm, Fv/Fo, ФPSII, qP and ETR were all significantly decreased, while NPQ was significantly increased.     

野生杏种子对外源赤霉素的生理响应

以甜杏仁和苦杏仁天山野生杏种子为对象,观察赤霉素处理对种子打破休眠的影响、淀粉含量的动态变化、可溶性糖含量以及淀粉酶活性等生理指标。结果表明:赤霉素可以提高天山野杏的发芽率,其中对甜杏仁的作用更显著。种子吸水之后子叶中可溶性糖含量增高,其中苦杏仁的增幅大于甜杏仁,萌发之后2种杏仁可溶性糖含量均迅速下降。野杏干种子有较高的α-和β-淀粉酶活性,萌发种子中α-淀粉酶的活性比未萌发的种子活性高。可溶性糖含量与α-淀粉酶的活性成反比,说明可溶性糖对α-淀粉酶的活性有反馈抑制作用。种子萌发之前具有较高的β-淀粉酶活性,并且未受高浓度可溶性糖的抑制,萌发之后活性显著下降。表明较高的β-淀粉酶活性对野杏种子打破休眠是必要的。