Influence of fertilization on acrylamide formation during frying of potatoes harvested in 2003

The quality of the potato has been found to vary, when grown under different agricultural and environmental conditions, such as the level of fertilization. Consequently these factors may influence the acrylamide formation during the preparation of French fries. These assumptions were studied on three varieties: Bintje, Ramos, and Saturna from the harvest of 2003. Decreasing N fertilization caused increases in the reducing sugar concentration from 60% up to 100% on DM for all varieties studied. Due to a high correlation between the reducing sugar content and the generation of acrylamide during frying, this resulted in a parallel increase in the acrylamide concentration of the French fries. Thus by lowering the amount of N fertilizer, an increase of 30-65% of the acrylamide generation during frying could be observed. It seems of extreme importance to find an appropriate balance between the level of N fertilizer in order to diminish acrylamide formation but on the other hand to obtain an acceptable tuber and to consider the environmental impact. All results reported should be seen in the perspective of the warm growing season of 2003.     

Extreme resistance to infection by potato virus X in genotypes of wild tuber-bearingSolanum species

Summary Clones derived from thirty-one different accessions (nineteen of Argentine origin) belonging to eightSolanum species were screened for resistance to infection by potato virus X strain cp (PVX cp) by mechanical inoculation of plantlets that had been micropropagated in vitro. Estimates of PVX multiplication obtained by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and slot blot nucleic acid hybridization allowed the identification of resistant clones derived from five accessions belonging toS. commersonii S. oplocense, S. sparsipilum andS. tuberosum andigena. Resistant genotypes supported PVX concentrations 5 to 15 times smaller than did the susceptible control cultivar Spunta. Graft inoculation test confirmed the presence of extreme resistance similar to that conferred by the ‘immunity’ gene X¹ (also called RX_act).     

Changes in the Solubility of Corn Proteins through Interaction with the Arabinoxylans in Extruded Nixtamalized Corn Flour Treated with Xylanase

The extrusion process allows the production of nixtamalized corn flour rich in arabinoxylans, which help to prevent cardiovascular and intestinal diseases. During extrusion, physiochemical properties of nixtamalized corn flour are negatively modified. The use of enzymes such as xylanase in order to obtain nixtamalized corn flour using extrusion has been studied as an alternative to reduce these changes in corn flour tortilla. The aim of this research was to evaluate changes in protein solubility of extruded nixtamalized corn flour with and without different concentrations of xylanase enzyme (0.05, 0.075, and 0.1 %, w/w). Soluble proteins of each corn flour were extracted and analyzed by SE-HPLC, while insoluble proteins were determined by the combustion method. In addition, each corn flour was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed that the extruded nixtamalized corn flour, with and without xylanase, increased the protein solubility, and this effect was lower in extruded nixtamalized corn flour with xylanase. Insoluble protein diminished in corn flours either with or without xylanase enzyme. The addition of xylanase reduces the effect that the extrusion process has on the solubility proteins of extruded nixtamalized corn flour.     

Effect of Fucoidan on the Mitochondrial Membrane Potential (ΔΨm) of Leukocytes from Patients with Active COVID-19 and Subjects That Recovered from SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Fucoidan is a polysaccharide obtained from marine brown algae, with anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and immune-enhancing properties, thus, fucoidan may be used as an alternative treatment (complementary to prescribed medical therapy) for COVID-19 recovery. This work aimed to determine the ex-vivo effects of treatment with fucoidan (20 µg/mL) on mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm, using a cationic cyanine dye, 3,3′-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide (DiOC₆(3)) on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (HPBMC) isolated from healthy control (HC) subjects, COVID-19 patients (C-19), and subjects that recently recovered from COVID-19 (R1, 40 ± 13 days after infection). In addition, ex-vivo treatment with fucoidan (20 and 50 µg/mL) was evaluated on ΔΨm loss induced by carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP, 150 µM) in HPBMC isolated from healthy subjects (H) and recovered subjects at 11 months post-COVID-19 (R2, 335 ± 20 days after infection). Data indicate that SARS-CoV-2 infection induces HPBMC loss of ΔΨm, even 11 months after infection, however, fucoidan promotes recovery of ΔΨm in PBMCs from COVID-19 recovered subjects. Therefore, fucoidan may be a potential treatment to diminish long-term sequelae from COVID-19, using mitochondria as a therapeutic target for the recovery of cellular homeostasis.     

Diurnal and seasonal water variations of temperature,pH, redox potential and conductivity in gnammas (weathering pits): Implications for chemical weathering

A gnamma or weathering pit is a small-sized cavity sculpted into solid rock which refills with rainwater. This study describes the main hydrological processes in gnammas and the underlying chemical interactions with the environment. Four gnammas developed in a granite tor from central Spain were chosen for monitoring and studying the dynamics of the gnamma–water system. Parameters monitored were air and water temperature, pH, ORP (redox potential), and conductivity. These measurements describe the system dynamics, without the need for special sampling or other potential interferences under low water volumes. Additionally, chemical analyses were carried out to contrast the chemical properties with the chemical composition. As a consequence of water volumes less than 100 L, daily fluctuations tended to cause the largest amplitude changes. Photosynthesis and respiration/putrefaction processes in the gnamma are responsible for daily pH fluctuations up to 4 units, with pH values often greater than 9. ORP generally alternates from positive to negative values as the solution oscillates diurnally between basic and acidic conditions. Conductivity values ∼ 10 μS/cm occur most of the year, with only minor daily oscillations. During dry periods, conductivity increases significantly with maximum values > 400 μS/cm. These high conductivity values reflect atmospheric inputs by summer rainstorms after prolonged dry periods. Therefore, conductivity does not relate directly with chemical species dissolved from the host rock. Silica was the main weathering product of granite dissolution during the year, with highest concentrations (> 200 ppm) in the rainy season. Low Si values measured during the dry season are in accordance with observed precipitation of amorphous silica within the gnamma. Seasonal variations in concentration are also present in Al and Fe as a response to ORP variations and evaporative dynamics, causing mineral dissolution and new mineral precipitation during the year. Relations among the measured parameters are influenced by several factors, including biological processes, temperature effects and water level variations. Factors such as large pH oscillations, basic pH values, acids from biological activity, and alkali cations all increase silicate solubility, thus favoring granite dissolution. Overflow of water during the winter, when the water is chemically enriched, is an effective mechanism to remove weathering products.     

Effect of dietary protein:energy ratio on intake, growth and metabolism of juvenile green abalone Haliotis fulgens

Juvenile green abalone Haliotis rufescens were grown under laboratory conditions at 21±1 °C and fed formulated diets consisting of different protein:energy ratios (mg protein/kcal), 62, 74, 85, 100, 108, for 60 days. The level of crude protein ranged from approximately 26% to 44% while the energy content remained constant at about 4.1 kcal g⁻¹. Growth ranged from 3.63 to 12.33 mg day⁻¹. The growth of abalone fed the 100 and 108 diets was significantly greater than that of each of the other diets. Protein efficiency ratio increased as the dietary protein content increased except for the T108 diet (44% crude protein). Abalone apparently consume food to satisfy an energy requirement. Caloric expenditure due to metabolism was estimated for abalone fed diets with protein ratios of 62, 85, 100. Energy loss due to respiration did not vary appreciably among abalone fed the different diets. The proportional distribution of dietary energy into fecal, digestible, growth, and metabolic energy was estimated for abalone fed these diets. Apparent dry matter digestibility was among the lowest for abalone fed the 100 P:E diet, but growth of abalone fed this diet was significantly higher than that of each of the other treatments except the 108 diet. Unexplained energy loss to achieve balance ranged from 7% to 28.5%, some of which is probably due to differential mucus and ammonia production. Results suggest a potential for the reduction of both dietary protein and lipid without causing any adverse effects on the growth response.     

Effect of a size-based selection program on blood metabolites and immune response of Litopenaeus vannamei juveniles fed different dietary carbohydrate levels

Blood metabolites in wild and seventh-generation cultivated shrimp were measured to determine how size-based selection could alter the nutritional and immunological conditions of Litopenaeus vannamei. Wild L. vannamei juveniles and a sample of seventh-generation cultured shrimp were acclimated under identical conditions. During 55 days, shrimp were fed a high (HCHO: 44%) or a low (LCHO: 3%) carbohydrate diet for 55 days. Wild shrimp showed a direct relation between dietary CHO and lactate, protein and hemocyte levels indicating that dietary CHO was used for protein synthesis via transamination pathways. In seventh-generation cultured shrimp these parameters were inversely proportional to dietary CHO level, indicating the capacity to synthesize protein from dietary CHO was repressed in cultured shrimp. Farmed shrimp showed a limited capacity to respond to LCHO diets demonstrating high protein dependence in their metabolism and immune response. These results demonstrate that during size-based breeding programs other metabolic process than CHO catabolism can be selected. The incapacity of shrimp to use dietary CHO could limit protein reduction of diets and limit the efforts of the shrimp industry to be ecologically and environmentally profitable.     

Aboveground biomass,transpiration and water use efficiency in eucalypt plantation fertilized with KCl,NaCl and phonolite rock powder

Potassium has important physiological functions in eucalypt plantations, increasing their productivity when applied to soil via mineral fertilizers. There is interest in identifying alternative sources to KCl owing to its high cost and limited reserves. The aim of the study was to test the effect of replacing KCl with NaCl and phonolite rock powder. Two comparisons were made: (1) application of 283 kg ha^?1 of KCl compared with that of 2125 kg ha^?1 of phonolite rock powder (equivalent to 170 kg ha^?1 of K₂O in both treatments); (2) application of 139 kg ha^?1 of NaCl compared with that of 183 kg ha^?1 of KCl (equivalent to 2.33 kmol Na and K, respectively). Radial growth, soil water content, leaf water potential (Ψ), accumulated transpiration, stem volume and biomass increment, as well as water use efficiency (WUE) were evaluated. In the first comparison, both fertilizations presented equal values for all characteristics evaluated. In the second, the accumulated transpiration in trees fertilized with KCl was 17% higher than that in plants fertilized with NaCl. In contrast, the WUE was 20% higher in the trees fertilized with NaCl than in those fertilized with KCl, reflecting the lower water consumption for the same increment in stem volume and biomass. We conclude that phonolite rock powder and NaCl are possible substitutes for conventional K fertilization performed with KCl.

     

The dehesa: an agrosilvopastoral system of the Mediterranean region with special reference to the Sierra Morena area of Spain

A multidisciplinary team undertook a six-year investigation on the agro-ecological and socio-economic aspects of the dehesa system in the Sierra Norte area, a part of the Sierra Morena of the Sevilla Province, Western Andalusia, Spain. This paper summarizes its findings on the various agro-ecological features of the system and evaluates the system's functional aspects vis-a-vis the trends and developments in land use in the region over the past few centuries. The synergistic effects of tree cover on understorey grassland vegetation is discussed in terms of soil fertility build-up and favourable micro-climatic and hydrological features, and the potential use of this information in future research and development programmes to improve the dehesa system in the Mediterranean region is outlined.