Individual anthocyanins and their contribution to total antioxidant capacity in response to low temperature and high CO2 in stored Cardinal table grapes

In this study, we have analyzed the profiles of individual anthocyanins in the skin of Cardinal table grapes and their contribution to the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in response to low temperature (0 °C) and high CO₂ levels (20% for 3 days). An analysis of the representative colour parameters of this red-violet variety was also determined. The anthocyanin composition was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detector and mass spectrometry (HPLC–DAD–MS). The contribution of individual anthocyanins to the TAC value of table grapes was calculated on the basis of their concentration and antioxidant capacity measured as the TEAC value (slope of the anthocyanin/slope of Trolox). Chromatographic analysis identified six anthocyanins, including pelargonidin 3-glucoside (Pg-3-G), in the skin of Cardinal table grapes. Short-term storage at 0 °C in air had an increasing effect on the concentration of each of the identified anthocyanins. After 3 days at 0 °C, untreated grapes had the highest anthocyanin content (27.55 mg/100 g FW) and displayed the largest TAC value (52.45 mM TE/100 g FW). Peonidin 3-glucoside (Pn-3-G) was the predominant anthocyanin, and it was mainly responsible for the rise in the calculated TAC value in untreated grapes. Pn-3-G had a low average TEAC value (1.73 mM), but its contribution could be explained by the sharp increase in the content of this anthocyanin the first days of storage at 0 °C. In contrast, the Pn-3-G content in grapes at the end of the 3-day CO₂ treatment did not change, and both the total anthocyanin content and the calculated TAC value remained significantly constant in comparison to the levels in pre-stored grapes. In addition CO₂ treatment had a positive effect on the amount of Pg-3-G concomitant with a pronounced decline in delphinidin 3-glucoside (Dp-3-G) and smaller decreases in petunidin 3-glucoside (Pt-3-G) and malvidin 3-glucoside (Mv-3-G). These effects of high CO₂ levels on the profile of individual anthocyanins were progressively lost when grapes were transferred to air. Indeed, after prolonged low-temperature storage when the colour of the berries become dark violet, similar calculated TAC values were quantified in untreated grapes and in those exposed to 20% CO₂. These data provide new insights about the effect of low temperature and high CO₂ levels on the concentration of the individual anthocyanins identified in cardinal table grapes.     

Mapping within-field variability in wheat yield and biomass using remote sensing vegetation indices

Precision Agriculture - This paper explored the ability of remote sensing (RS) and meteorological data to map the variability of yield/biomass in cultivated wheat (Triticum aestivum). The...     

Potential biomedical reuse of vegetative residuals from mycorrhized grapevines subjected to warming

Grapevine leaves are widely discarded in open fields despite their known antioxidant properties. We tested the cytotoxicity of leaf extracts from three clones (CL-260, CL-1048, CL-8) of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Tempranillo against four human cancer cell lines: colon, HT-29; breast, MCF-7; lung HTB-54; and lymphoblastic leukemia, CCRF-CEM. Grapevines were cultivated at either ambient (24/14 °C) or elevated (28/18 °C) day/night temperatures, and inoculated (+M) or not (-M) with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Cytotoxicity was analysed by MTT assays. Elevated air temperatures enhanced the cytotoxicity of leaf extracts from CL-260 against HT-29, CCRF-CEM and HTB-54 and that from CL-8 against MCF-7. Mycorrhization improved the cytotoxicity of leaf extracts from CL-1048 against HT-29, CCRF-CEM, HTB-54 and MCF-7. The cytotoxic activities of CL-260 against HTB-54 and CL-1048 against HT-29 were correlated, respectively, with total phenols and total antioxidant capacity. We conclude that the predicted increase in air temperature for the future climate and the mycorrhizal association of grapevines may enhance the cytotoxicity of leaves, which strengthens the potential application of these agricultural residuals for biomedicine. However, the clonal diversity in the response to AMF and air temperature highlights the importance of choosing the most adequate clone for a concrete environmental scenario.     

Genetic and geographic variation in growth of Balanites aegyptiaca in Niger: comparing results from provenance/progeny tests in the nursery and field

New Forests - Some tree improvement programs in Africa use nursery tests to investigate genetic and geographic variation in growth, but do they lead to the same conclusions as field tests? We...     

Metal mobility and mineral transformations driven by bacterial activity in acidic pit lake sediments: evidence from column experiments and sequential extraction

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Biogeochemical processes occurring in lake sediments are crucial for element cycling. In acidic pit lakes, they play a major role in acidity neutralization and...     

A comparison of energy use in conventional and organic olive oil production in Spain

The current situation of worldwide concern over the emission of greenhouse gases and its effect on the climate demands an evaluation, from the perspective of energy efficiency and more specifically of non-renewable energy sources, of tendencies for change in the management of agricultural systems which have arisen in recent years. This article uses energy balances to evaluate the contribution of organic olive growing to the increase in the energy efficiency of Mediterranean agriculture, distinguished according to type of watering regime and intensiveness of cultivation. The results show, on one side, the lower energy efficiency of irrigated land as opposed to dryland (i.e. non-irrigated) regardless of their style of management and, on the other, the greater non-renewable energy efficiency of organic olive growing in comparison with the conventional production. Nevertheless, organic management could still improve its energy efficiency if it further adjusts and internalizes the flows of nutrients needed in order to achieve greater sustainability.     

Geographic variation in tree growth and wood density of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Guazuma crinita</Emphasis> Mart. in the Peruvian Amazon

Guazuma crinita Mart. is a fast-growing timber tree in the Peruvian Amazon. A trial of 11 Peruvian provenances was established in three planting zones. Tree growth at 6, 12, 18 and 30 months and wood density at 32 months were analyzed across and within zones. Zones accounted for more variation than provenances. Density varied significantly due to provenances in the analysis across zones, whereas growth exhibited strong provenance by zone interactions. The local provenance grew well and produced relatively dense wood in all zones. The relative magnitude of variation due to provenances depended on the planting zone. Density was greater in the lower than in the upper stem. Density increased with longitude from the more humid to the drier part of the sample region. In general, correlations indicated that larger trees had lower density and a larger difference in density between the lower and upper stem, but the strength of these relationships depended on the provenance and zone. Results suggest that fast-growing provenances can be selected at an early age without significantly reducing wood density. The local provenance is recommended for reforestation pending future research demonstrating the superiority of foreign provenances. Some practical implications for tree-improvement programs are discussed.     

Inhibition of pro-inflammatory enzymes by inuviscolide, a sesquiterpene lactone from Inula viscosa

This work concerns the pharmacological activity of inuviscolide, a sesquiterpenoid from Inula viscosa. It exerts inhibitory effects on elastase, cyclooxygenase 1 and secretory phospholipase A(2). Furthermore, it reduces the skin leukocyte infiltration in a murine model of dermatitis induced by repeated application of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate.     

Effect of Protein Hydrolysates from Germinated Soybean on Cancerous Cells of the Human Cervix: An <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vitro</Emphasis> Study

Consumption of soybeans can reduce the risk of different types of cancer. Little is known about the effect of germination on the anticancer properties of soya. This study was done to determine if germination improves the anticancer properties of soybean protein through generation of amino acids or bioactive peptides. Soybean was germinated for 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 days and proteins were isolated from the seeds. Isolates with and without ethanol-soluble phytochemicals were hydrolyzed with digestive enzymes and their effect on growth in HeLa and C-33 (epidermoid cervical carcinoma) and HaCaT (non-cancerous human keratinocytes) cells were evaluated with the Alamar Blue method. Germination induced degradation of the α and α’ fractions of β-conglycinin and acid fraction of glycinin, generating low molecular weight peptides. Degrees of hydrolysis ranged from 73–77%. Hydrolysates inhibited the growth of HeLa cells and C-33 at concentrations exceeding 1.25 mg/ml. Major inhibition was observed with the hydrolysate germinated for 2 days and containing ethanolsoluble phytochemicals (IC₅₀ 2.15 and 2.27 mg/ml for HeLa and C-33, respectively). Interestingly, hydrolysate cytoxicity for normal cells was minimal in comparison to cancer cells.     

Toxic effects of annonaceous acetogenins on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oncopeltus fasciatus</Emphasis>

From an Argentine collection of Annona cherimolia and a Bolivian collection of Annona montana (Annonaceae), the acetogenins, squamocin, molvizarin, itrabin, almuñequin, cherimolin-1, annonacin, annonacin-A, densicomacin-1, cis-annonacin-10-one and murihexocin-A, were obtained to study their toxicity against the cotton pest Oncopeltus fasciatus (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae). Topical ventral application of O. fasciatus nymphs with solutions of the mentioned acetogenins produced acute and delayed mortality.