Antioxidant Capacity of Alcalase Hydrolysates and Protein Profiles of Two Conventional and Seven Low Glycinin Soybean Cultivars

Soy protein hydrolysates are considered a potential dietary source of natural antioxidants with important biological activities. This study was conducted to compare the effect of two conventional and seven low glycinin soybean cultivars on the antioxidant capacity (AC) of soy hydrolysates. Nine cultivars were grown in Bloomington, IL, Findlay, OH and Huxley, IA. The hydrolysates were produced enzymatically using alcalase and analyzed for AC using oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay and soluble protein. Statistical differences were observed in the protein profiles and AC among the different cultivars tested (P < 0.05). The hydrolysate from low glycinin cultivar 3 enriched in β-conglycinin, grown in Bloomington, exhibited the highest AC, compared to the other cultivars across all locations. On average, soy cultivars rich in BC and purified BC hydrolysates (36.2 and 31.8 μM Trolox equivalents (TE)/μg soluble protein, respectively) (P > 0.05) had higher AC than purified glycinin (GL) hydrolysate (28.5 μM TE/μg soluble protein) (P < 0.05). It was possible to select a soybean cultivar that produced a higher antioxidant capacity upon alcalase hydrolysis.     

Behavioural indicators of welfare in farmed fish

Behaviour represents a reaction to the environment as fish perceive it and is therefore a key element of fish welfare. This review summarises the main findings on how behavioural changes have been used to assess welfare in farmed fish, using both functional and feeling-based approaches. Changes in foraging behaviour, ventilatory activity, aggression, individual and group swimming behaviour, stereotypic and abnormal behaviour have been linked with acute and chronic stressors in aquaculture and can therefore be regarded as likely indicators of poor welfare. On the contrary, measurements of exploratory behaviour, feed anticipatory activity and reward-related operant behaviour are beginning to be considered as indicators of positive emotions and welfare in fish. Despite the lack of scientific agreement about the existence of sentience in fish, the possibility that they are capable of both positive and negative emotions may contribute to the development of new strategies (e.g. environmental enrichment) to promote good welfare. Numerous studies that use behavioural indicators of welfare show that behavioural changes can be interpreted as either good or poor welfare depending on the fish species. It is therefore essential to understand the species-specific biology before drawing any conclusions in relation to welfare. In addition, different individuals within the same species may exhibit divergent coping strategies towards stressors, and what is tolerated by some individuals may be detrimental to others. Therefore, the assessment of welfare in a few individuals may not represent the average welfare of a group and vice versa. This underlines the need to develop on-farm, operational behavioural welfare indicators that can be easily used to assess not only the individual welfare but also the welfare of the whole group (e.g. spatial distribution). With the ongoing development of video technology and image processing, the on-farm surveillance of behaviour may in the near future represent a low-cost, noninvasive tool to assess the welfare of farmed fish.     

Vertical distribution and migration of fish larvae in the NW Iberian upwelling system during the winter mixing period: implications for cross‐shelf distribution

The vertical distribution and vertical migrations of fish larvae and implications for their cross‐shelf distribution were investigated in the northern limit of the NE Atlantic upwelling region during the late winter mixing period of 2012. The average positive values of the upwelling index for February and March of this year were far from normal, although the average hydrographic conditions during the period of study were of downwelling and the water column was completely mixed. Fish larvae, most in the preflexion stage, were concentrated in the upper layers of the water column and their distribution was depth stratified, both day and night. However, the larval fish community was not structured in the vertical plane and fish larvae did not show significant diel vertical migration (DVM), although five species showed ontogenetic vertical migration. In regions of coastal upwelling and in the absence of DVM, the location of fish larvae in the water column is crucial for their cross‐shelf distribution. Thus, the cross‐shelf distribution of the six most abundant species collected in this study can be explained by the surface onshore flow associated with coastal downwelling, retaining larvae of the coastal spawning species with a relatively shallow distribution in the shelf region and transporting larvae of slope spawning species onto the shelf. The wide vertical distribution shown by larvae of the offshore spawning species could be an adaptation of these species to ensure that some larvae reach the inshore nursery areas.     

The Brown Alga Stypopodium zonale (Dictyotaceae): A Potential Source of Anti-Leishmania Drugs

This study evaluated the anti-Leishmania amazonensis activity of a lipophilic extract from the brown alga Stypopodium zonale and atomaric acid, its major compound. Our initial results revealed high inhibitory activity for intracellular amastigotes in a dose-dependent manner and an IC₅₀ of 0.27 μg/mL. Due to its high anti-Leishmania activity and low toxicity toward host cells, we fractionated the lipophilic extract. A major meroditerpene in this extract, atomaric acid, and its methyl ester derivative, which was obtained by a methylation procedure, were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Both compounds inhibited intracellular amastigotes, with IC₅₀ values of 20.2 μM (9 μg/mL) and 22.9 μM (10 μg/mL), and selectivity indexes of 8.4 μM and 11.5 μM. The leishmanicidal activity of both meroditerpenes was independent of nitric oxide (NO) production, but the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may be at least partially responsible for the amastigote killing. Our results suggest that the lipophilic extract of S. zonale may represent an important source of compounds for the development of anti-Leishmania drugs.     

Studying the effects of Mahonia aquifolium populations on small‐scale mountain agro‐ecosystems in Hungary with the view to minimise land degradation

After the political changeover in Hungary in 1989, many farm owners faced problems typical of a small sized farm (<1 ha) as well as a lack of various resources. This led to many farms with great horticultural backgrounds being abandoned, especially in mountainous areas where erosion control is essential for soil conservation. Severe changes can occur on soil through property abandonment. The local socio‐economic aspects must be taken into consideration as well as the problem of soil degradation as this will be a motivating factor in preservation initiatives. Under horticultural management, Mahonia aquifolium was tested to determine its efficiency in water erosion control in mountainous conditions in Hungary. Soil loss and water runoff were measured after every rainfall event at six different plots: four cultivated M. aquifolium populations with different ages (4, 12, 20 and 25 years old) and two control plots. A bare soil field and a grass field represented the control plots. The results show that as the age of the M. aquifolium populations increase, the cumulative runoff and sediment values decrease. It also showed that 2 years after setting up a new M. aquifolium plantation, the cumulative runoff decreased by 69 per cent and the cumulative soil loss decreased by 74 per cent. This indicates that a M. aquifolium population could play a significant role in erosion control within a short period of time. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seasonal variation of macro and micronutrients in blades and petioles of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Mencía and Sousón

In the case of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.), leaf blade and petioles at different sampling times are used for nutritional diagnosis and planning fertilization practices. However, reference values for each nutrient depend on the scion‐rootstock combination. In this sense, the current study aimed at determining the reliability of leaf blade and petiole for diagnosis at different phenological stages and, also, of the period of validity, around flowering and veraison, in which the nutrient concentrations obtained could be compared with reference values. The study was carried out in three vineyards (two planted with cv. Mencía and one with cv. Sousón) within the Ribeira Sacra Designation of Origin (NW Spain). Blades and petioles were collected throughout a growth season (2014) and total concentrations of ten essential elements were determined in both tissues. In general, petioles showed greater variability between replicates for P, K, Ca, Mg, and Zn, while N, Fe, Mn, Cu, and B presented greater variability in blades. Differences between consecutive sampling dates suggest that references for flowering were valid until fruit‐set. Furthermore, blade and petiole references at the beginning of veraison were valid until the advanced ripening stage for most nutrients, with the exception of N, P, and Zn. The seasonal variation of the concentrations in both tissues confirmed the need for reference values for each phenological stage and tissue.     

Effect of growing and drying conditions on the phenolic composition of mate teas (Ilex paraguariensis)

Mate tea ( Ilex paraguariensis) has been used for centuries and is widely consumed in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The aim of the present study was to determine how growing and drying conditions affect the phenolic concentration and antioxidant capacity of 15 Mate teas from forest or plantation cultivations, dried either with hot air or wood smoke. The total polyphenol concentration determined with Folin-Ciocalteu ranged from 100.3 +/- 5.5 to 179.7 +/- 3.6 mg equiv chlorogenic acid/g dry leaves. The antioxidant capacity according to the oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay ranged from 1.5 +/- 0.3 to 4.1 +/- 0.1 mmol Trolox equiv/g dry leaves. Ten phenolic compounds were identified and correlated with antioxidant capacity ( R (2) = 0.80). Principle component analysis and multivariate linear regression were conducted to assess the effect of growing and drying conditions. Sun-exposed (plantation grown) Mate teas exhibited higher levels of all polyphenols as compared to shaded (forest grown) Mate teas ( P < 0.05). Lower rainfall, temperature, and drying conditions had varying effects on the phenolics. On average, plantation grown Mate teas had a greater concentration of phenolics than forest grown teas. Thus, plantation grown Mate teas represent better potential sources for their commercial extraction.     

Effect of dietary oils and alpha-tocopheryl acetate supplementation on lipid (TBARS) and cholesterol oxidation in cooked pork

The effect of n-3 fatty acid-enriched diets (in the form of 0.5% linseed oil with either 1.5% sunflower oil or 1.5% olive oil) and alpha-tocopheryl acetate supplementation (200 mg/kg feed) on lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, TBARS) and cholesterol oxide products (COPS) in cooked pork was investigated. Longissimus muscle was studied. Meat from pigs fed 0.5% linseed oil-enriched diets had a higher proportion of n-3 fatty acid than meat from pigs in other dietary groups in neutral (P < 0.0001) and polar lipids (P < 0.0001), and a 20% reduction in the n-6:n-3 ratio was observed. Alpha-tocopheryl acetate supplementation increased (P < 0.05) monounsaturated fatty acids in polar lipids and increased (P = 0.0001) alpha-tocopherol levels in muscle. Alpha-tocopherol concentration in muscle was affected by dietary fat (P < 0.05). Groups receiving diets enriched with sunflower oil had significantly higher alpha-tocopherol levels (P < 0.05) in muscle than those groups receiving olive oil-enriched diets. Numbers of TBARS were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the group fed supplemental olive oil than in those fed sunflower oil. Dietary linseed oil increased (P < 0.05) lipid oxidation principally at the initial period of storage in cooked pork. Overall, dietary alpha-tocopheryl acetate supplementation significantly increased (P < 0.001) lipid stability and decreased (P < 0.05) total COP production across the dietary groups. Alpha-tocopherol was a more effective antioxidant for decreasing TBARS values in cooked meat when adding sunflower oil to the diets instead of olive oil.     

Production of Indole-3-acetic Acid and Tryptophol by Pythium ultimum and Pythium Group F: Possible Role in Pathogenesis

Pythium group F is a minor pathogen which induces symptomless infections that occur frequently and results in yield losses in tomato soilless cultures. To elucidate the mode of action of this microorganism, the influence of culture filtrates of Pythium group F on tomato growth was investigated and compared to that of the pathogen Pythium ultimum. Depending on metabolite production by the fungus, marked differences were observed in plant response. Pythium group F crude culture filtrates or low molecular weight fractions (< 500) caused swelling behind the root tip and reduced root growth; the cohesion and adherence of cells within the cortical area were also affected. These symptoms were similar to those observed on plants treated with indole-3-acetic acid. By contrast, P. ultimum filtrates caused a marked distortion of cell shape accompanied with folding of host cell walls, particularly in the cortical area. These symptoms were characteristic of the activity of toxic compound(s) on host cells. Chemical analysis of the filtrates demonstrated that indole-3-acetic acid and tryptophol were produced by Pythium group F and P. ultimum. However, Pythium group F took up and metabolized more indole-3-acetic acid precursors, especially tryptophan, a key amino acid in the pathways leading to indole-3-acetic acid synthesis. The fact that Pythium group F and P. ultimum transformed tryptamine and indole-3-acetaldehyde into indole-3-acetic acid and tryptophol confirms the existence of a tryptamine pathway within both fungi. These results support the hypothesis that auxins facilitate Pythium group F infections. On the other hand, toxin(s) and hydrolytic enzymes are likely involved in P. ultimum pathogenesis.     

Evidence for a phytoreovirus associated with tobacco exhibiting leaf curl symptoms in South Africa

ABSTRACT Three forms of tobacco leaf curl (termed classes I, II, and III, based on symptomatology) recently have been described in southern Africa. Numerous attempts to isolate virus particles responsible for a nongeminivirus-induced leaf curl disease (class I) of tobacco in South Africa have been unsuccessful. Recently, 12 dsRNA segments were isolated from tobacco exhibiting class I leaf curl symptoms, suggesting a possible reovirus genome. The objective of our study was to confirm whether the dsRNA segments are associated with a reovirus. Isolation of icosahedral particles with an outer core 60 to 65 nm in diameter and an inner core 40 to 45 nm in diameter was achieved. Twelve distinct nonpolyadenylated dsRNAs were isolated from purified virions, and the total molecular masses of the dsRNAs ranged from 17.86 to 18.40 x 10(6) Da in polyacrylamide and agarose gels, respectively. Using hybridization analysis, dsRNAs were identified as non-homologous distinct segments. Comparisons with other known reoviruses revealed a unique banding pattern that was most similar to the wound tumor virus (WTV), the type species of the genus Phytoreovirus. Hybridizations of WTV cloned DNA probes (segments S4 and S6 to S9) and dsRNAs from infected tobacco indicated no significant sequence similarity, whereas indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with a polyclonal antiserum to WTV showed strong positive cross-reactivity to tobacco virions. Our results indicate a virus with features consistent with those of phytoreoviruses. This is the first report of a plant reovirus in tobacco, the first record in Africa, and the second example of a field-isolated dicot phytoreovirus.