Screening for New Cosmeceuticals from Brown Algae Fucus vesiculosus with Antioxidant and Photo-Protecting Properties

Phlorotannins play a role in biological functions to protect the cells against UV and oxidative damage in brown algae. We hypothesized that these compounds can function as photo-protectors and antioxidants in skin care formulations. Two types of extracts (water (FV-WE) and 67% v/v ethanol (FV-EE)) from Fucus vesiculosus were obtained with a phlorotannin content between 7−14% in dry extract. Exposure to sun light during growth was included as a factor on the phlorotannin content but did not influence the phlorotannin content. However, green colored F. vesiculosus had lower total phenolic content (TPC) (FV-WE = 6.9 g GAE 100 g⁻¹ dw, FV-EE = 7.8 g GAE 100 g⁻¹ dw) compared to those with a yellow/brownish color (FV-WE = 10.4–13.7 g GAE 100 g⁻¹ dw, FV-EE = 11.2–14.0 g GAE 100 g⁻¹ dw). UVA and UVB photo protective capabilities of the extracts through different biological effective protection factors (BEPFs) were evaluated using in vitro methods; the Mansur method for sun protection factor (SPF) and calculation of effective solar absorption radiation (%ESAR) to determine SPF and UVA protection factor (UVA-PF) of the extract and in seaweed enriched lotion. The SPF was negligible, when evaluating FV-WE in lotion (10 and 20% w/w). Moreover, %ESAR of the FV-WE showed SPF and some UVA-PF, but not enough to give sufficient SPF in lotions (10% w/w). It was concluded that the concentration of UV protecting compounds in the extracts was too low to and that further fractionation and purification of phlorotannins is needed to increase the SPF.     

Evaluation of the temporal distribution of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium graminearum</Emphasis> airborne inoculum above the wheat canopy and its relationship with Fusarium head blight and DON concentration

With the aim of unravelling the role of airborne Fusarium graminearum inoculum in the epidemic of Fusarium head blight (FHB) caused by this species in wheat spikes, a network of Burkard air samplers was set up in five wheat fields distributed in Belgium from 2011 to 2013. Each year from April to July, the daily amounts of F. graminearum inoculum above the wheat canopy were quantified using a newly developed TaqMan qPCR assay. The pattern of spore trapping observed was drastically different per year and per location with a frequency of detection between 9 and 66% and a mean daily concentration between 0.8 and 10.2 conidia-equivalent/m³. In one location, air was sampled for a whole year. Inoculum was frequently detected from the wheat stem elongation stage until the end of the harvesting period, but high inoculum levels were also observed during the fall. Using a window-pane analysis, different periods of time around wheat flowering (varying in length and starting date) were investigated for their importance in the relation between airborne inoculum and FHB parameters (FHB severity, frequency of F. graminearum infection and DON). For almost all the combinations of variables, strong and significant correlations were found for multiple window lengths and starting times. Inoculum quantities trapped around flowering were highly correlated with F. graminearum infection (up to R?=?0.84) and DON (up to R?=?0.9). Frequencies of detection were also well correlated with both of these parameters. DON concentrations at harvest could even be significantly associated with the F. graminearum inoculum trapped during periods finishing before the beginning of the anthesis (R?=?0.77). Overall, these results highlight the key role of the airborne inoculum in F. graminearum epidemics and underline the importance of monitoring it for the development of disease forecasting tools.     

Features of some provenances in an international provenance experiment of Gmelina arborea

International efforts to explore genetic resources of Gmelina arborea Linn., Roxb. (gmelina) were formulated during the period 1969–1974 by the FAO Panel of Experts on Forest Genetic Resources. As a first step in the work in 1975, the Danish/FAO Forest Tree Seed Centre (later Danida Forest Seed Centre) initiated, together with a number of public and private organizations in more than 20 countries, an international provenance experiment. The experiment included 36 provenances of natural populations in India and Thailand together with 24 landraces from 20 countries. The provenances were included in 60 provenance trials, which were established in the mid-1970s by more than 20 host countries. The following paper gives a summary of the performance of provenances from different regions of India, Thailand, and from exotic plantations in various countries. The results show (1) that plants originating from exotic plantations grow well and yield good products as compared to plants originating from natural forests, so it is feasible to continue basing new plantations on existing ones, and (2) that introduction of new material from some natural forests may increase the possibilities for further improvement in yield and wood properties. Palabras clave: Fuentes de semilla, Gmelina arborea, Procedencias, Razas locales, Recursos genéticos Resumen.Durante el período de 1969–1974, un grupo de expertos en Recursos Genéticos Forestales de la FAO, organizó esfuerzos al nivel internacional para explorar los recursos genéticos de la Gmelina arborea, Linn., Roxb. (gmelina). Como un primer paso hacia este esfuerzo, en 1975 la FAO de Dinamarca Forest Tree Seed Centre (luego Danida Forest Seed Centre) inició, en conjunto con organizaciones del sector público y privado de más de 20 países, un experimento internacional de procedencias. El experimento incluyó 36 procedencias de poblaciones naturales en India y Tailandia junto con 24‘razas locales’ de 20 países. Las procedencias se incluyeron en 60 ensayos de procedencia, los cuales fueron establecidos a mediados de los 70, por más de 20 países anfitriones. En este artículo se presenta un resumen del desempeño de las procedencias de las diferentes regiones de la India, Tailandia, y de las plantaciones exóticas en varios países. Los resultados muestran (1) que las plantas originarias de plantaciones exóticas crecen bien y ofrecen buenos productos, comparadas con las plantas originarias de bosques naturales, por lo cual se puede concluir que es posible continuar desarrollando nuevas plantaciones de plantaciones existentes, y (2) que la introducción de material nuevo procedente de algunos bosques naturales, puede aumentar las posibilidades para mejorar aún más el rendimiento y las propiedades de la madera.     

Ovicidal and larvicidal effectiveness of insecticides applied by dipping apples on the small fruit tortrix Grapholita lobarzewskii

The larvicidal and ovicidal effectiveness of twelve insecticides on Grapholita lobarzewskii Nowicki was tested by dipping apples in different concentrations of the insecticides. Emamectin was the most effective larvicidal product, with an LC(50) of 0.01 mg kg(-1), closely followed by spinosad, methoxyfenozide and chlorpyrifos-methyl, with LC(50) values between 0.2 and 0.7 mg kg(-1). Products like imidacloprid, indoxacarb, phosmet and thiacloprid gave LC(50) values between 1 and 2 mg kg(-1). Lastly, chlorpyrifos-ethyl and phosalone had LC(50) values of around 4 mg kg(-1), whereas tebufenozide and diflubenzuron had almost no larvicidal effect. Most of the products tested had low ovicidal effectiveness, and only fenoxycarb and emamectin gave LC(50) values worthy of note, close to 2 mg kg(-1).     

Comparison of methods to reduce dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyls contents in fishmeal: extraction and enzymatic treatments

Methods to remove dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from fishmeal were investigated and compared. The tested methods include (i) lowering the fat content and simultaneously the level of toxic contaminants using either organic solvents or (ii) lowering the fat content using protease and (iii) removal of dioxins and PCBs using either oil extraction or (iv) breakdown of dioxin and PCBs using oxidoreductase. The results showed that the organic solvents tested (ethanol, isopropanol, and isohexane) were efficiently lowering the oil content of the fishmeal by 80%. However, the treated fishmeal has a low fat content and may contain traces of solvent. The protease alcalase was not as efficient as the solvent extraction and only removed approximately 30% of the oil but presented the advantage of being a mild process. Other proteases, alone or in combination with other enzymes, might give better yield if the reaction conditions are optimized. In contrast, extraction of dioxin and PCBs using olive oil or fish oil was very effective and resulted in 60-75% extraction of dioxin and PCBs, respectively, after a single extraction step. No preference for the oil type was observed. This method is very simple and quick and does not require an important investment for the fishmeal producer. It is expected that with optimization this method could be implemented at an industrial scale without too many difficulties. In contrast, the oxidoreductases tested did not result in a major degradation of dioxins and PCBs with only 10-15% degradation achieved. However, with the recent advancement in biotechnology, it is possible that future research will result in the development of enzymes that effectively degrade recalcitrant contaminants.     

Breast-feeding in a UK urban context: who breast-feeds, for how long and does it matter?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate what factors relate most strongly to breast-feeding duration in order to successfully support breast-feeding mothers. DESIGN: Prospective birth cohort study using questionnaires, routinely collected weights and health check at age 13 months. SETTING: Gateshead, UK. SUBJECTS: Parents of 923 term infants born in a defined geographical area and recruited shortly after birth, 50% of whom were breast-feeding initially. RESULTS: Only 225 (24%) infants were still breast-fed at 6 weeks, although 136 (15%) continued beyond 4 months. Infants in the most affluent quintile were three times more likely to be initially breast-fed (P < 0.001) and five times more likely to still be feeding at 4 months (P = 0.001) compared with infants in the most deprived quintile. A third of breast-fed infants were given supplementary feeds in the maternity unit and this was associated with a 10-fold increase in odds of giving up breast-feeding by discharge (P = 0.001). Frequent feeding was reported as a reason for giving up in 70% of mothers at 6 weeks and 55% at 4 months. Those infants who stopped breast-feeding earliest showed the most rapid weight gain and were tallest at age 13 months. Non-breast-fed infants had 50% more family doctor contacts up to age 4 months (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Initiation of breast-feeding in urban Britain remains strongly determined by socio-economic background and early cessation seems to be related to frequent feeding and rapid growth as well as a continuing failure to eradicate health practices that undermine breast-feeding. Those infants not receiving breast milk suffered increased morbidity, but the apparent association between breast-feeding duration and growth probably reflects reverse causation.     

The path forward for biofuels and biomaterials

Biomass represents an abundant carbon-neutral renewable resource for the production of bioenergy and biomaterials, and its enhanced use would address several societal needs. Advances in genetics, biotechnology, process chemistry, and engineering are leading to a new manufacturing concept for converting renewable biomass to valuable fuels and products, generally referred to as the biorefinery. The integration of agroenergy crops and biorefinery manufacturing technologies offers the potential for the development of sustainable biopower and biomaterials that will lead to a new manufacturing paradigm.     

Comparison of the Sedative and Hemodynamic Effects of Acepromazine and Promethazine in the Standing Horse

The objective of this study was to compare the sedative and peripheral hemodynamic effects of acepromazine (ACP) and promethazine (PTZ) in the standing healthy horse. Nine healthy Warmblood horses randomly received either intravenous ACP at 0.1 mg/kg or PTZ at 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mg/kg. A sedation score based on clinical examination was recorded, and systolic arterial blood pressure was noninvasively evaluated using a Doppler flow detector at the tail, just before and every 15 minutes until 60 minutes after drug injection. Hemodynamics of the median artery of the left forelimb was studied using Doppler ultrasonography just before and 45 minutes after injection of the drug, which allowed calculation of surface (SURF), diameter (DIAM), and circumference (CIRC) of the vessel and peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), mean velocity (MV), volumetric flow (VF), and resistivity index (RI) of the blood flow. Regardless of the dose used, PTZ had lesser sedative and hypotensive effects than ACP at 0.1 mg/kg and did not induce significant variations in SURF, DIAM, CIRC, PSV, EDV, MV, VF, and RI of the studied standing horses. Conversely, the vasodilatory properties of ACP were illustrated by a significant increase in SURF, DIAM, CIRC, PSV, EDV, MV, and VF and a significant reduction of the RI. Unlike ACP, PTZ did not induce alterations on the morphology of the Doppler waveform. PTZ appears to have less sedative and peripheral vasodilator effects than ACP, thus it could be safer than ACP in patients suffering from hypotension.