Phytoestrogen content of beverages, nuts, seeds, and oils

Phytoestrogens are secondary plant metabolites that have received increasing attention for their bioactivity, in particular due to their structural and functional similarity to 17beta-estradiol. Although urinary and plasma phytoestrogens can be used as biomarkers for dietary intake, this is often not possible in large epidemiological studies or in the assessment of general exposure in free-living individuals. Accurate information about dietary phytoestrogens is therefore important, but there are very limited data concerning food contents. In this study was analyzed a comprehensive selection of tea, coffee, alcoholic beverages, nuts, seeds, and oils for their phytoestrogen content using a newly developed sensitive method based on LC-MS incorporating (13)C 3-labeled standards. Phytoestrogens were detected in all foods analyzed, although the contents in gin and bitter (beer) were below the limit of quantification (1.5 microg/100 g). Lignans were the main type of phytoestrogens detected. Tea and coffee contained up to 20 microg/100 g phytoestrogens and beer (except bitter) contained up to 71 microg/100 g, mainly lignans. As these beverages are commonly consumed, they are a main source of dietary lignans. The results published here will contribute to databases of dietary phytoestrogen content and allow a more accurate determination of phytoestrogen exposure in free-living individuals.     

Estimates of genotypic and yearly variations on fruit quality and functional traits for tetraploid table grape breeding

We estimated genetic and environmental variance components for fruit quality traits (cluster weight, berry weight, soluble solids content, total sugar content, sugar composition, free acid content, total amino acid content, amino acid composition), and a functional trait (gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) content) of three commercial tetraploid table grape cultivars (Kyoho, Pione, Suiho) grown in Japan over three successive years. ANOVA showed that the effect of genotype was significant (P < 0.05) for all traits except soluble solids content and total sugar content. The effect of the year was significant for all traits except amino acid composition (γ ratio) and GABA content. The variance of genotype (σ _g ²) was highest for γ ratio (63.6%), high in sugar composition (α ratio, 60.3%) and GABA content (58.8%), and negligible for soluble solids content (0.0%) and total sugar content (0.0%). The variance of among years (σ _y ²) was very high in soluble solids content (82.8%), high in total sugar content (60.2%) and negligibly small in γ ratio (8.7%) and GABA content (6.4%). Some effects of genotype × year interaction, among vines within genotypes, and vine × year interaction were statistically significant, but these components were negligibly small. Except for soluble solids content and total sugar content, significant varietal differences in the traits were recorded. Variance estimates for each trait provides useful information for optimal yearly repetition to effectively discriminate genetic differences in fruit quality and functional traits for improving future tetraploid table grape breeding programs.     

Modeling environmental,temporal and spatial effects on twaite shad (Alosa fallax) by‐catches in the central Mediterranean Sea

Modeling the relationships between environmental factors and the distribution at sea of species of conservation interest can be useful in predicting their occurrence from a local to a regional scale. This information is essential for planning management and conservation initiatives. In this study, generalized additive models (GAMs) were applied to investigate the influence of environmental, temporal and spatial variables on the catch rates of the twaite shad Alosa fallax (Lacepède) by the pelagic trawl fishery in the north‐central Adriatic Sea. Presence/absence and abundance [catch per unit effort (CPUE)] data between 2006 and 2012 were separately modeled, and the two models were then validated using a test data set. The most important factor influencing the presence and abundance of adult twaite shads was the spatial predictor (latitude × longitude). Two areas of major shads aggregations were observed, the most important of which being located near the estuaries of three main river systems of northern Italy. The twaite shad presence was also significantly affected by season, the largest and lowest occurrences being observed in autumn and spring, respectively. Among the environmental variables tested, only sea surface temperature was included in both models. Alosa fallax showed a wide thermal tolerance (6–27°C) with preference for temperature around 23°C. The model developed from the abundance data showed a moderate predictive power, whereas the accuracy of the presence/absence model was rather low. Some conclusions on the ecological requirements of A. fallax at sea arising from this study are useful to orient future monitoring and research programs and to develop effective conservation actions.