Characterization of Vitis vinifera L. Cv. Carménère grape and wine proanthocyanidins

A formal compositional study of the proanthocyanidins of Vitis vinifera L. cv. Carménère was conducted in this work. We first characterized the polymeric proanthocyanidins of Carménère skins, seeds, and wines. In addition, the wine astringency was analyzed and compared with Cabernet Sauvignon. Although Carménère wines had a higher proanthocyanidin concentration and mean degree of polymerization than Cabernet Sauvignon wines, the former wines were perceived as less astringent. The low seed/skin proportion in Carménère wines as compared to other varieties, as evidenced by the reduced number of seeds per berry and the higher amount of epigallocatechin subunits of Carménère wine proanthocyanidins, could explain this apparent paradox.     

Mobility of sulphate in experimentally acidified soils from Galicia (NW Spain)

Retention of S0₄ ^2? was investigated in Galician soils throughout an intense regime of acidification. Experiments consisted of the addition of an H2SO4 solution (pH 2.7) to columns of 6 soils of contrasting properties over 1, 2, or 5 months. Leachates were obtained continuously throughout the experiment for analysis, and analysis made of the solid fractions after 1, 2 or 5 months. The greatest capacities for retention of S0₄ ^2? were found in soil developed from serpentine and micaschist; the lowest in soils from granite, slate and sandy sediments. The surface horizons, especially those rich in organic matter, displayed low retention of 5042-. The amount of S0₄ ^2? adsorbed throughout the experiment depended on the content of crystalline forms of Fe and with the Fe and Al extracted with dithionite-citrate.The low retention of S0₄ ^2? in the organic horizons and the slightly negative relation with the organic matter suggest an inhibitory effect of the organic matter on the S0₄ ^2? retention process. Results of the study show, that under conditions of moderate acidity, SO₄ ^2? retention occurs in the form of adsorption; in strongly acidic conditions, the precipitation of aluminium-sulphate minerals may provide an additional retention mechanism.     

Generation of furosine and color in infant/enteral formula-resembling systems

The extent of the Maillard reaction was studied by measuring furosine and color formation in infant and enteral formula-resembling model systems prepared by mixing calcium caseinate, laboratory-obtained or commercial whey protein with lactose or dextrinomaltose (ingredients similar to those used in infant and enteral formula manufacture) and heating the mixture at 100, 120, or 140 degrees C for 0-30 min. The furosine determination was performed by HPLC and the color determination by measuring colorimetric parameters L, a, and b in a reflection photometer. The first steps of the Maillard reaction could be followed by furosine determination when initial ingredients had low thermal damage. Hence, furosine may be an indicator of low thermal damage in ingredients with <100 mg/100 g of protein. At the concentrations used in these model systems, similar to those in infant and enteral formulas, furosine values (indirect measure of lysine losses) were higher in lactose than in dextrinomaltose systems, in which only glucose, maltose, maltotriose, and maltotetraose among all of the sugars present showed reactivity with casein. Finally, the advanced steps could be followed by color determination when the initial ingredients had high thermal damage or the model systems were heated at high temperature or for a long time. Among the parameters assayed, b was the most sensitive.     

Partial sequence analysis of B2L gene of Brazilian orf viruses from sheep and goats

We herein describe the partial nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the B2L gene of seventeen Brazilian orf viruses (ORFV). Seventeen viruses were recovered from outbreaks of contagious ecthyma in sheep and goats in four states in Southern and Northeast country, and three from commercial vaccines. Most analyzed viruses were associated with outbreaks of classical contagious ecthyma, with lip, nostrils and labial commissure involvement, yet udder/teat, feet, vulvar and disseminated lesions were also reported in some cases. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed a high degree of B2L similarity among sheep sequences (>99%) regardless the geographic origin, and a remarkable high identity for the two goat isolates (>99.8%), with similarity dropping to below 99% when comparing viruses from the two species. A phylogenetic tree grouped most sheep and goat viruses on different branches. In addition, sequence alignment allowed the identification of up to six scattered nucleotide changes that were predominant and more consistent in goat isolates, including a number of sequences from other continents. Thus, in spite of the high nucleotide similarity, different degrees of similarity and discrete nucleotide changes in the B2L gene may help in grouping ORFV viruses according to host species.     

Pen culture of Macrobrachium amazonicum: use of artificial diet and impact on benthic community

The pressure on the benthic macroinvertebrate community and the use of artificial diets were evaluated during the pen rearing of Macrobrachium amazonicum. The study followed a completely randomized design with three treatments and three repetitions: treatment no prawns, no feed (noPnoF); treatment prawns, no feed (PnoF); and treatment prawns, feed (PF). Six pens were stocked with 10 prawns m^?2 with average initial weight of 0.63 ± 0.05 g and average length of 4.28 ± 0.14 cm; the other three pens were not stocked with prawns. Every 10 days, prawn biometry was carried out and samples were collected from the water and the sediment in each pen. The results showed that the limnological variables remained adequate for the species' biology. The zootechnical indices did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) in weight, total length and survival, with values of 4.43 ± 0.93 g, 8:03 ± 0:43 cm, and 80 ± 9.6%, respectively, for the treatment PnoF, and 4.83 ± 1.03 g, 8.42 ± 0.51 cm and 73 ± 3.5% for treatment PF. The macroinvertebrate analyses showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) for the total abundance of Oligochaeta among the days of collection and for Polymitarcyidae among the treatments. It is therefore concluded that the presence of prawns affects the abundance in the benthic community and that the zootechnical performance of M. amazonicum in this experimental condition is not influenced by supplied artificial feed.     

Native leguminous plants for mineland revegetation in the eastern Amazon: seed characteristics and germination

New Forests - For the effective use of native plants for mineland revegetation, an understanding of seed dormancy break and germination requirements, and seed storage tolerance is indispensable. In...     

A new aqueous suspension concentrate formulation of cis‐permethrin and its insecticidal activity

Isomers of pyrethroids usually have different insecticidal activities. Permethrin, a non‐cyano pyrethroid, is not an exception and cis‐permethrin is much more active than the trans‐isomer against Triatoma infestans, vector of Chagas' Disease in Argentina. The large‐scale separation of cis‐ and trans‐permethrin was performed by successive recrystallizations from ethanol‐water mixtures. An aqueous suspension concentrate (flowable) formulation of pure crystalline cis‐permethrin was prepared and assayed for its insecticidal activity on wood and ceramic surfaces against nymph V of T infestans. This formulation was at least three times more effective than deltamethrin, with LC₅₀ values on ceramic of 0.11 µg cm⁻² and 0.33 µg cm⁻² respectively. On wood surfaces, the LC₅₀ value was 0.57 µg cm⁻² compared with 3.20 µg cm⁻² for deltamethrin. Against other insect species such as Periplaneta americana, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus, the suspension concentrate formulation of cis‐permethrin was, however, less effective than similar formulations of deltamethrin or β‐cypermethrin. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Vitellogenin of the Chilean flounder <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralichthys adspersus</Emphasis> as a biomarker of endocrine disruption along the marine coast of the South Pacific. Part I: induction,purification, and identification

We sought to provide a useful indicator of the presence of endocrine-disrupting contaminants along the marine coast of the South Pacific using Chilean flounder (Paralichthys adspersus). In light of the lack of information on vitellogenin for this species, we induced, purified, and identified the plasma vitellogenin of Chilean flounder inhabiting the Chilean coast. Vitellogenin (Vg) from Chilean flounder was purified by size exclusion and ion-exchange chromatography using plasma from juvenile males induced by injecting 17β-estradiol. The Vg was detected by SDS–PAGE and Western blot analyses using an antibody against turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) vitellogenin. These analyses revealed a protein band of 205 kDa and three minor bands of 120, 90, and 68 kDa. These proteins were identified as Vg by means of mass spectrometry (LCQ Duo ESI-IT-MS), matching sequences of tryptic peptides to known sequences for several other fish species. The matches showed the presence of vitellogenin (VgI, VgII, Vg A and Vg B) in Chilean flounder, similar to species such as mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus), Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), and white perch (Morone americana). These results are discussed in terms of identifying Vg in Paralichthys adspersus with the antibody to turbot Vg. Moreover, we compare the molecular size of Vg from Chilean flounder (large) with that of other flatfish species. Finally, we discuss the potential use of this molecule as a biomarker for the presence of xeno-estrogenic compounds along the Chilean coastline.     

High mortality of adult female Magellanic penguins by gillnet fisheries in southern Brazil

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