Genetic diversity of Musa diploid and triploid accessions from the Brazilian banana breeding program estimated by microsatellite markers

Banana (Musa spp.) is one of the most consumed fruits worldwide. Production is based mainly on triploid cultivars, and most genetic improvement programs aim to generate tetraploid hybrids obtained from the crossing of established triploid cultivars with a diploid parent genotype, improved or wild, exhibiting the trait of interest, normally resistance to biotic factors. Microsatellites were used to investigate the genetic variability and relationships between 58 Musa genotypes, including 49 diploids and nine triploid cultivars maintained at the Musa germplasm collection of the Brazilian dessert banana breeding program. Thirty-three primer pairs developed for banana were tested, and nine amplified reproducible and discrete fragments, producing a total of 115 alleles. The average number of alleles amplified per primer was 12.8, ranging from 10 to 15. The diploid genotypes presented the largest genetic variability, demonstrated by the large number of alleles detected, and the low similarity between the clones. The phenetic analysis clustered the triploid cultivars in a separated group, with the exception of the Nanica and Gros Michel cultivars, which showed high similarity with the diploid cultivar Mambee Thu. It was not possible to separate the wild diploid genotypes from the cultivated ones, indicating a common origin of these genotypes. A high proportion of duplicated alleles and/or loci was observed for diploid and triploid genotypes. The information gathered about the similarity between diploid and triploid accessions will help to define potential crosses to maximize the recovery of the typical fruit qualities required in Brazil (AAB, Pome and Silk dessert banana).     

Antioxidant activity of ethanolic extracts from several asparagus cultivars

Three different methods (antiradical activity, inhibition of primary oxidation, and ferric reducing power) have been used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of eight different asparagus cultivars and byproducts: white and green asparagus from Alcalá del Río (Guadalquivir Valley, Seville) and American hybrids, native spears, and their byproducts from Huétor-Tájar (Vega de Granada). The correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenol content was studied. Six standards were also tested to validate the modified methods for antioxidant activity determination. Results obtained for antiradical capacity and reducing power were very similar, and a high correlation with phenols was found (R > or = 0.9 for both tests). Sample origin was an important factor, spears from Huétor-Tájar having higher values (ARC between 7 and 10 and P(R) of 0.25-0.33) than those from Alcalá del Río (ARC 0.6-2 and P(R) of 0.05-0.07). Significant differences were found between spears with the same origin, suggesting that genetics are another factor to take into account. Asparagus inhibits lipid primary oxidation, but no correlation between the inhibition percentage and phenols was observed. Asparagus origin was the only factor that led to significant differences: samples from Huétor-Tájar had higher values (POIC between 18 and 32) than those from Alcalá del Río (POIC of 5-9). Byproducts from the canning industry at Huétor-Tájar were also assayed for antioxidant activity; the results obtained suggested that byproducts could be considered as an excellent source of natural antioxidants.     

Genetic Relationships and Variation among Biotypes of Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.) and Related Species Using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers

The genus Paspalum L. consists of more than 400 species. Around twenty-five informal groups of species are recognized in Paspalum and the Dilatata group is of special interest because its members are excellent potential forage grasses. Seventy-five germplasm accessions, representing 15 taxa, were analyzed using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Polymorphisms were observed with twenty-two primers in the Dilatata group and 16 of those were analyzed. Four hundred and four different RAPD fragments were generated, resulting in an average of 25.2 bands per primer. Among the 404 markers analyzed, 48 (11.88%) were exclusive for the P. dilatatum Poir. biotypes, 31 (7.67%) were exclusive to taxa belonging to other groups included in this study, 28 markers (6.93%) were diagnosed for other species of the Dilatata group and 16 (3.96%), for natural hybrids. Extensive RAPD variation was found among the species studied. Inter- and intra-taxonomic polymorphisms were detected. A dendrogram based on the RAPD data shows some clusters corresponding to the same taxa. However, the biotypes of P. dilatatum do not form a cluster. The present work confirms that the RAPD technique can be used to determine genetic relationships between the taxa belonging to the Dilatata group.     

Phylogeny and nodulation signal molecule of rhizobial populations able to nodulate common beans—other than the predominant species Rhizobium etli—present in soils from the northwest of Argentina

We examined the bean rhizobia community other than the predominant species Rhizobium etli present in soils of a region that is part of the range occupied by the host in Northwest Argentina, which showed Rep and 16S rDNA RFLP polymorphism. Two populations represented by isolates T29N3L and T44N22P were found to be distinct chromosomal genotypes and closely related to species Rhizobium tropici and Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Their symbiotic genes were analyzed and found to cluster with those from R. tropici as well as with rhizobia isolated from leguminous trees. Three nodulation metabolites produced by T44N22P were detected which are tetra- and pentameric chitocompounds, N-methylated, O-carbamoylated, and N-substituted either by a C_18:0 or C_18:1 acyl chain at their non-reducing end, and all them sulphated at the reducing end. Isolates T29N3L and T44N22P exhibited broad host range but unlike T29N3L, only T44N22P was able to efficiently nodulate Medicago truncatula.     

Gas chromatography-olfactometry and chemical quantitative study of the aroma of six premium quality spanish aged red wines

The aroma of six premium quality Spanish red wines has been studied by quantitative gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) and techniques of quantitative chemical analysis. The GC-O study revealed the presence of 85 aromatic notes in which 78 odorants were identified, two of which-1-nonen-3-one (temptatively) and 2-acetylpyrazine-are reported in wine for the first time. Forty out of the 82 quantified odorants may be present at concentrations above their odor threshold. The components with the greatest capacity to introduce differences between these wines are ethyl phenols produced by Brettanomyces yeasts (4-ethylphenol, 4-ethyl-2-methoxyphenol, and 4-propyl-2-methoxyphenol), 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-3(2H)-furanone (furaneol), (Z)-3-hexenol, thiols derived from cysteinic precursors (4-methyl-4-mercaptopentan-2-one, 3-mercaptohexyl acetate, and 3-mercaptohexanol), some components yielded by the wood [(E)-isoeugenol, 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol, vanillin, 2-methoxyphenol (guaiacol), and (Z)-whiskylactone], and compounds related to the metabolism (2-phenylethanol, ethyl esters of isoacids, 3-methylbutyl acetate) or oxidative degradation of amino acids [phenylacetaldehyde and 4,5-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (sotolon)]. The correlation between the olfactometric intensities and the quantitative data is, in general, satisfactory if olfactometric differences between the samples are high. However, GC-O fails in detecting quantitative differences in those cases in which the olfactive intensity is very high or if odors elute in areas in which the odor chromatogram is too complex.     

In vivo antifungal activity of the essential oil of Bupleurum gibraltarium against Plasmopara halstedii in sunflower

The antifungal activity of the essential oil of the aerial parts of Bupleurum gibraltarium was evaluated against Plasmopara halstedii. Fungus spores were inoculated in sunflower seedlings, previously treated with several essential oil solutions, and the sporulation percentage was measured after an 11-day treatment. The oil at a concentration of 5.0 mL/L clearly inhibited the fungus sporulation. The contact between fungus sporangia and essential oil was minimized, so it seems that the oil pretreatment could activate the defense response of the sunflower seedlings against the pathogen invasion. The main compounds in the oil were sabinene (31.1%), alpha-pinene (15.6%), and 2,3,4-trimethylbenzaldehyde (10.9%), among a total of 65 components identified.     

Methoxylated xanthones in the quality control of small centaury (Centaurium erythraea) flowering tops.

In the course of a phytochemical study of the bitter tonic plant, small centaury (Centaurium erythraea), six methoxylated xanthones (1,5-hydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone, 1-hydroxy-3,5,6-trimethoxyxanthone, 1-hydroxy-3,5,6,7-tetramethoxyxanthone, 1-hydroxy-3,5,6,7,8-pentamethoxyxanthone, 1-hydroxy-3,7,8-trimethoxyxanthone and 1,8-dihydroxy-3,5,6,7-tetramethoxyxanthone) were isolated and identified by spectroscopic means (nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectroscopy, and UV). Subsequently, a high-performance liquid chromatography/diode array detection method was developed for the determination of these and other methoxylated xanthones occurring in the chloroform extract of small centaury aerial parts. The methodology developed was applied to twelve samples, and in all of them, nine xanthones were identified and quantified. This methodology can be considered complimentary to the one proposed by the European Pharmacopoeia.     

Approaches to wine aroma: release of aroma compounds from reactions between cysteine and carbonyl compounds in wine

Under conditions close to those of wine, that is, low pH, aqueous medium, and low temperatures, this work examines the role of carbonyl (acetoin and acetol) and dicarbonyl (glyoxal, methylglyoxal, diacetyl, and pentane-2,3-dione) compounds associated with cysteine in the formation of odorous products. In particular, thiazole, 4-methylthiazole, 2-acetylthiazole, and trimethyloxazole and two sulfur and oxygenated heterocyclic compounds, 2-furanmethanethiol and thiophene-2-thiol, are examined. For thiophene-2-thiol, the reactional mechanism is proposed. Attempts were made to detect these compounds in wines from various origins. Certain molecules were identified for the first time in wine.     

Resveratrol and piceid levels in natural and blended peanut butters

Peanut and its derivatives, especially peanut butter, are extensively consumed in many countries, mainly in the United States, which is also the major exporter of these products. trans-Resveratrol is present in peanuts, and recently this compound has been quantified in peanut butter. It is well-known that there are beneficial effects of trans-resveratrol and its glucoside, the piceid, in health. The absorption of trans-resveratrol has been proven in animals, and certain studies show that the absorption of some phenols is enhanced by conjugation with glucose, so that it could be possible that trans-piceid would be more absorbed than its aglycon (trans-resveratrol). In our work, we have identified the presence of trans-piceid in peanut butter with a new method to quantify trans-resveratrol and trans-piceid (3-beta-glucose of trans-resveratrol). This fact is very interesting because the glucosilated form could be more easily absorbed by the intestinal gut; in this way trans-piceid would exercise its beneficial function more efficiently than trans-resveratrol. To our knowledge, this is the first time that trans-piceid has been quantified in peanut butter. Resveratrol and piceid contents in natural peanut butters were found to be significantly higher than those in blended peanut butters.     

Sensitive streptavidin-biotin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for rapid screening of chloramphenicol residues in swine muscle tissue

A sensitive, competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for chloramphenicol (CAP) in swine muscle tissue has been developed. The ELISA is based on an earlier procedure. To improve sensitivity, different optimization procedures were investigated. The introduction of a streptavidin-biotin system and the use of a coating antigen with a lower CAP incorporation resulted in the most sensitive ELISA: the CAP concentration giving 50% inhibition decreased from 125 ng/mL to 3.0 ng/mL. This ELISA procedure was applied for a rapid screening of CAP residues in swine muscle tissue. The tissues were extracted with demineralized water. A concentrated phosphate-buffered saline solution was added to the filtered aqueous extract and this sample solution was directly submitted to the ELISA procedure. The results were compared to values obtained by analysis of a corresponding blank. This blank was prepared by treating a part of the aqueous sample solution with an immobilized monoclonal antibody preparation. This treatment was necessary because aqueous extracts of different swine muscle tissues showed a high variation in dose-response curves, probably caused by the complexity and variability of the matrix. In spiked tissues, the presence of CAP at concentrations of 10 micrograms/kg and higher can be easily demonstrated.