Estimates of heritabilities and genetic correlations for body composition traits and G × E interactions, in gilthead seabream (Sparus auratus L.)

In this study, heritabilities for body composition traits, their genetic correlations with growth traits and the genotype–environment interaction (G × E) were estimated at 509 days (harvest size) for the first time in gilthead seabream (Sparus auratus L.), from the offspring in two different production systems (cages and tanks) in the Canary Islands. A total of 867 offspring from an industrial mass-spawning of 66 broodstocks were analysed. Parental assignment showed a total of 89 full-sib families (between 1 and 53 descendents per family) and was inferred using the RimA multiplex PCR designed by Navarro et al. (2008) [Navarro, A., Badilla, R., Zamorano, M.J., Pasamontes, V., Hildebrandt, S., Sánchez, J.J., Afonso, J.M., 2008. Development of two new microsatellite multiplex PCRs for three sparid species: gilthead seabream (Sparus auratus L.), red porgy (Pagrus pagrus L.) and redbanded seabream (P. auriga, Valenciennes, 1843) and their application to paternity studies. Aquaculture 285, 30–37.] with 100% success. The G × E interaction was analysed in 61 families present in the two environments and was null for visceral fat and it cannot be excluded for flesh composition traits. The heritability for visceral fat, expressed as a percentage of body weight, was 0.50 ± 0.07. The heritabilities for flesh composition traits, expressed as a percentage of fresh muscle weight, were 0.05 ± 0.03 for fat, 0.09 ± 0.03 for moisture, 0.08 ± 0.03 for ash and 0.02 ± 0.01 for collagen. Genetic and phenotypic correlations among body composition traits were mainly low–medium, except for moisture vs. muscular fat (− 0.98 and −0.61, respectively), moisture vs. collagen (0.85 and 0.45, respectively), collagen vs. muscular fat (− 0.80 and −0.35, respectively), and dressing percentage vs. visceral fat (− 0.92 and −0.51 respectively). Genetic correlations between body composition traits and growth traits were low for weight and length except with collagen for which they were high, and, in general, they were medium–high for condition factor. All these phenotypic correlations were low. These data suggest that selection through growth would improve flesh texture, but could decrease muscular fat in the long term. The latter trait could be improved by selection through moisture which is the flesh composition trait with the highest heritability and is the easiest to measure. The data also suggest that the inclusion of visceral fat percentage in a selection programme would thwart the negative effect of fat concentrated in the visceral cavity and increase the dressing percentage.     

Comparison of continuous and batch feeding systems on maturation, biochemical composition and immune variables of the oyster Crassostrea corteziensis (Hertlein 1951)

Two feeding systems for maturing oysters were compared, one a continuous feeding system and the other a batch system in which the whole microalgal ration was supplied once daily. The maturation diet consisted in Isochrysis galbana (T-ISO) complemented with an enriched lipid emulsion. Survival and growth did not differ between the feeding systems after 3 weeks of conditioning. Maturation, biochemical composition, fatty acids in membranes and reserves, digestive enzymes activities and immune parameters in Crassostrea corteziensis were analysed. Only oysters fed using the once-daily system had vitellogenic oocytes, whereas the gonad of oysters fed using a continuous-drip system remained immature. Total and differential haemocyte counts were similar between both the systems, but respiratory burst was significantly higher in oysters fed using the once-daily system. Amylase, lipase and trypsin activities in oyster's digestive gland were similar between both the feeding systems. Total lipids, however, differed significantly in oyster tissue in relation to feeding system, with highest level in those fed using the once-daily system, but fatty acid composition in reserves and membrane were similar. No differences were found for biochemical parameters in haemolymph. These results suggest that feeding oysters using a batch, once-daily system allows more rapid initial gonad maturation without affecting general physiological condition and growth.     

Quantification of vitellin/vitellogenin-like proteins in the oyster Crassostrea corteziensis (Hertlein 1951) as a tool to predict the degree of gonad maturity

The oyster's reproductive process is poorly documented, especially in terms of a quantitative approach. In recent years, investigations with this species have been directed at determining important reproductive factors. Within this scope, techniques that allow standardized and accurate quantitative estimations of gonad development have become of primary importance. In this study, the histological characteristics and the levels of vitellin/vitellogenin-like proteins (Vn/Vtg) from ovaries of the Mexican Pacific 'pleasure' oyster Crassostrea corteziensis (Hertlein 1951) were analysed during different stages of gonad maturation using quantitative histological techniques and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This was performed in order to evaluate a possible quantitative tool to predict the degrees of gonad maturity and to analyse the biological implications of the findings relative not only to broodstock conditioning but also to natural populations. Using this information, we expect to be able to undertake further research on different reproductive aspects of this oyster species, including, among others, evaluation of the response in Vn/Vtg concentrations to different diets and environmental conditions during laboratory conditioning.     

A lactose-binding lectin from the marine sponge Cinachyrella apion (Cal) induces cell death in human cervical adenocarcinoma cells

Cancer represents a set of more than 100 diseases, including malignant tumors from different locations. Strategies inducing differentiation have had limited success in the treatment of established cancers. Marine sponges are a biological reservoir of bioactive molecules, especially lectins. Several animal and plant lectins were purified with antitumor activity, mitogenic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral, but there are few reports in the literature describing the mechanism of action of lectins purified from marine sponges to induce apoptosis in human tumor cells. In this work, a lectin purified from the marine sponge Cinachyrella apion (CaL) was evaluated with respect to its hemolytic, cytotoxic and antiproliferative properties, besides the ability to induce cell death in tumor cells. The antiproliferative activity of CaL was tested against HeLa, PC3 and 3T3 cell lines, with highest growth inhibition for HeLa, reducing cell growth at a dose dependent manner (0.5-10 μg/mL). Hemolytic activity and toxicity against peripheral blood cells were tested using the concentration of IC(50) (10 μg/mL) for both trials and twice the IC(50) for analysis in flow cytometry, indicating that CaL is not toxic to these cells. To assess the mechanism of cell death caused by CaL in HeLa cells, we performed flow cytometry and western blotting. Results showed that lectin probably induces cell death by apoptosis activation by pro-apoptotic protein Bax, promoting mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, cell cycle arrest in S phase and acting as both dependent and/or independent of caspases pathway. These results indicate the potential of CaL in studies of medicine for treating cancer.     

Effect of processing on some chemical and nutritional characteristics of pre-cooked and dehydrated legumes

The effect of processing on chemical composition and protein quality of three legumes was studied. The species analyzed were beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), Tórtola and Coscorrón varieties; lentils (Lens esculenta), Laird variety; and chick peas (Cicer arietinum), California-INIA variety. The legumes were soaked in a solution of Na₂ EDTA at 0.03% for 16 h and cooked for a predetermined period for each species. They were dried in a tray drier with cross currents of air flowing at a speed of 10 m/min until the residual mositure content was 8%. The water activity in the resulting products ranged from 0.574 to 0.587, thus completely assurring no microbial activity. No important changes were observed in the legumes protein, fat, or fibre contents after processing. The soaking solution was effective in reducing the phytic acid content from 2.99 to 1.64 mg/100 g in the Tórtola beans, which had the highest acid value prior processing. In all the species the heat treatment reduced the activity of the trypsin inhibitors by at least 50%. Cooking and drying significantly increased protein digestibility in all the legumes studied, with chick peas showing the most dramatic increase: from 54.7% pre-processing to 94.9% post-processing. With regard to Net Protein Ratio (NPR), chick peas had a value of 4.03, followed by Tórtola beans (3.29), Coscorrón (3.09) and lentils (2.61). The NPR value for the casein diet was 4.20.     

Chemical composition of lipophilic extractives from jute (Corchorus capsularis) fibers used for manufacturing of high-quality paper pulps

The chemical composition of the lipophilic extractives from jute (Corchorus capsularis) fibers, which are used for high-quality paper pulp manufacturing, was thoroughly studied. The extractives content was low (0.4%), and its composition was studied by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. For a better characterization of the different homologous series and compounds present in minor amounts, the extract was also fractionated by solid-phase extraction. The most predominant lipophilic compounds present in jute fibers were high molecular weight ester waxes (24% of total extract), followed by free fatty acids (17%), free fatty alcohols (17%) and α-hydroxyfatty acids (14%). Additionally, significant amounts of alkanes (6%), ω-hydroxyfatty acids (6%), sterols (6%), steroid and triterpenoid ketones (3%) and steryl glycosides (1%) were also identified, together with minor amounts of mono- and diglycerides.     

Biomaterials and Bioactive Natural Products from Marine Invertebrates: From Basic Research to Innovative Applications

Aquatic invertebrates are a major source of biomaterials and bioactive natural products that can find applications as pharmaceutics, nutraceutics, cosmetics, antibiotics, antifouling products and biomaterials. Symbiotic microorganisms are often the real producers of many secondary metabolites initially isolated from marine invertebrates; however, a certain number of them are actually synthesized by the macro-organisms. In this review, we analysed the literature of the years 2010–2019 on natural products (bioactive molecules and biomaterials) from the main phyla of marine invertebrates explored so far, including sponges, cnidarians, molluscs, echinoderms and ascidians, and present relevant examples of natural products of interest to public and private stakeholders. We also describe omics tools that have been more relevant in identifying and understanding mechanisms and processes underlying the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in marine invertebrates. Since there is increasing attention on finding new solutions for a sustainable large-scale supply of bioactive compounds, we propose that a possible improvement in the biodiscovery pipeline might also come from the study and utilization of aquatic invertebrate stem cells.     

Effect of carbonic anhydrase-containing endophytic bacteria on growth and physiological attributes of wheat under water-deficit conditions

Drought is one of the major limitations to agricultural productivity, suppressing plant growth and yield of food crops throughout the world particularly in arid and semiarid regions. Drought-tolerant carbonic anhydrase (CA; EC 4.2.1.1)-containing endophytic bacteria may improve plant growth under stressed conditions. In the present study, effect of drought-tolerant CA-containing endophytic bacteria on growth and physiology of wheat under water-deficit conditions was studied. One hundred and fifty isolates were isolated from wheat plants and screened for their ability to tolerate polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000-induced water-deficit stress (?0.31 to ?3.20 MPa). Fifty isolates exhibiting intrinsic ability to tolerate stress were further screened for CA activity. Ten drought-tolerant isolates with higher CA activity were evaluated for improving wheat growth under water-deficit conditions (?0.04, ?1.09, ?1.23 MPa). Results showed that PEG-mediated water-deficit stress significantly reduced growth of wheat. However, inoculation with isolates WR2, WS11 and WL19 significantly enhanced seedling growth by improving maximum root length, shoot length, root and shoot dry weight under non-stressed as well as stressed conditions. These isolates were identified by 16S rRNA as Bacillus marisflavi (WR2) Bacillus thuringiensis (WS11) and Bacillus subtilis (WL19). Isolate WL19 also improved chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, CA activity and relative water content compared to uninoculated control plants. Overall, our findings suggest that endophytic bacterial isolates WR2, WS11 and WL19 with CA activity can enhance photosynthesis and biomass of wheat seedlings under water-deficit conditions.

Abbreviations: CA: Carbonic anhydrase; PEG: Polyethylene glycol; CO₂: Carbon dioxide; HCO^3–: Bicarbonate; TSA: Tryptic Soy Agar; LB: Luria Bertani; A: CO₂ assimilation rate; E: Transpiration rate; g_s: Stomatal conductance; C_i: Substomatal CO₂ concentration; RWC: Relative water content; EL: Electrolyte leakage     

Effect of Processing on Bioactive Compounds,Physicochemical and Rheological Characteristics of Juçara,Banana and Strawberry Smoothie

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of processing steps on bioactive compounds and physicochemical and rheological characteristics of a juçara, banana and strawberry smoothie. The product was obtained by mixing the pulps of these fruits in previously defined proportions. The mixture was standardized in a pilot disintegrator, homogenized at 60 MPa in continuous mode and pasteurized at 90 °C for 35 s. The homogenization step increased the concentration of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, major anthocyanins in the smoothie. However, these anthocyanins, as well as perlagonidin-3-O-glucoside, have been reduced (p<0.05) after the pasteurization step. The pasteurization also affected the instrumental color of the smoothie, expressed by Hue angle (p<0.05). Regarding to the rheological behavior, the smoothie, in all processing steps, presented a non-Newtonian fluid behavior with pseudoplastic characteristics (n<1). After homogenization, the smoothie became more fluid and homogeneous. Thus, despite the negative impact of pasteurization on the smoothie’s color, the pasteurized product preserves the bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenolic acids that are of great importance to human health. Furthermore, the development of this product contributes to add value to the juçara agro-chain and Atlantic Forest preservation.     

Modification of Potato Steroidal Glycoalkaloids with Silencing RNA Constructs

Steroidal glycoalkaloids (SGAs), while found in many solanaceous plants, can accumulate to unacceptably high levels in potato tubers. The two primary SGAs that occur in potatoes are the tri-glycosylated alkaloids, α-solanine and α-chaconine. The first glycosylation steps in their biosynthetic pathways are performed by the regulated enzymes SGT1, the UDP-galactose:solanidine galactosyltransferase, and SGT2, the UDP-glucose:solanidine glucosyltransferase, respectively. Using fragments of the Sgt1 and Sgt2 genes to produce small inhibitory RNAs (siRNA), we have been able to down-regulate each branch of the pathway. The use of the siRNA approach increases the efficiency of producing transgenic plant lines with reductions in individual SGAs but further research is required to achieve reductions in levels of total SGA accumulation.