Ethyl hexanoate transfer modeling in carrageenan matrices for determination of diffusion and partition properties

Aroma compound properties in food matrices, such as volatility and diffusivity, have to be determined to understand the effect of composition and structure on aroma release and perception. This work illustrates the use of mass transfer modeling to identify diffusion and partition properties of ethyl hexanoate in water and in carrageenan matrices with various degrees of structure. The comparison of results obtained with a diffusive model to those obtained with a convective model highlights the importance of considering the appropriate transfer mechanism. Modeling of the preliminary experimental steps ensures correct estimation of the conditions for the main aroma release step. The obtained values of partition and diffusion coefficients are in agreement with those found in the literature (either experimentally determined or predicted by theoretical equations) and demonstrate that the structure level of carrageenan matrices has little influence on diffusion properties of ethyl hexanoate (less than 20%).     

Environmental variability controls recruitment but with different drivers among spawning components in Gulf of St. Lawrence herring stocks

The factors affecting herring recruitment are still poorly understood, complicating the prediction of stock dynamics and the choice of operational management strategies. We investigated effects of intrinsic (SSB) and extrinsic factors (physical and biological environments, including competition and predation) on recruitment of the spring and fall spawning components of each of the two herring stocks occurring in the Gulf of the St. Lawrence between 1971 and 2014. Effects of potential explanatory factors on recruit (age 2) abundance were tested using Generalized Additive Models. Model fit was significantly improved by incorporating both physical and biological environmental variability, but effects of herring SSB and predation were not significant. Indices of zooplankton abundance and phenology explained more variance in recruitment than physical indices. Our results emphasize the dominance of bottom‐up processes over SSB in the regulation of herring recruitment. Environmental variability did not seem to act uniformly on the recruitment of either stock or their respective spawning components. A long‐term trend of decreasing recruitment in spring spawners was associated with a long‐term decline in abundance of cold water copepods. In fall spawners, optimal recruitment was dependent on warmer environmental conditions combined with an adequate supply (species composition and phenology) of zooplankton. These results provide the first empirical evidence that spring and fall spawning herring are adapted to contrasting environmental conditions and shed light on the potential mechanisms linking herring recruitment to key zooplankton community characteristics and phenology. Management strategies can be improved by incorporating this new knowledge on environmental drivers of herring recruitment.     

Matrilin-1 expression is increased in the vertebral column of Atlantic salmon (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmo salar</Emphasis> L.) individuals displaying spinal fusions

We have previously characterized the development of vertebral fusions induced by elevated water temperature in Atlantic salmon. Molecular markers of bone and cartilage development together with histology were used to understand the complex pathology and mechanism in the development of this spinal malformation. In this study, we wanted to use proteomics, a non-hypothetical approach to screen for possible new markers involved in the fusion process. Proteins extracted from non-deformed and fused vertebrae of Atlantic salmon were therefore compared by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) and MALDI-TOF analysis. Data analysis of protein spots in the 2DE gels demonstrated matrilin-1, also named cartilage matrix protein, to be the most highly up-regulated protein in fused compared with non-deformed vertebrae. Furthermore, real-time PCR analysis showed strong up-regulation of matrilin-1 mRNA in fused vertebrae. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated induced matrilin-1 expression in trans-differentiating cells undergoing a metaplastic shift toward chondrocytes in fusing vertebrae, whereas abundant expression was demonstrated in cartilaginous tissue and chordocytes of both non-deformed and fused vertebrae. These results identifies matrilin-1 as a new interesting candidate in the fusion process, and ratify the use of proteomic as a valuable technique to screen for markers involved in vertebral pathogenesis.     

Seedbank phytosociology of the Strandveld Succulent Karoo,South Africa: a pre‐mining benchmark survey for rehabilitation

Prior to the mining of heavy minerals, the seedbank of the Strandveld Succulent Karoo was investigated to serve as a benchmark for the future rehabilitation of the area. Seedbank composition and species' abundance were determined with the seedling emergence method. By using the Braun‐Blanquet method, five main vegetation units were identified in concordance with results obtained for the standing vegetation. A total of 108 species were recorded in the seedbank, which represents c. 50 per cent of the species recorded in the standing vegetation of the total study area. Seven annual species (3 per cent) were unique to the soil seedbank. On community level, similarity in species composition between the standing vegetation and the soil seedbank ranged between 39·2 per cent and 48·8 per cent, with a similarity of 54·3 per cent for the total study area. Annual and perennial species' similarity in species composition between the standing vegetation and the seed bank totalled 74·8 per cent and 43·1 per cent respectively. Post‐mining topsoil replacement as well as seeding and transplanting of selected local species will be essential to revegetate this area. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of leaching and irrigation on the growth of Atriplex semibaccata

Mining activities along the west coast of South Africa will lead to salinization of the soil if sea-water is used in the mining process. Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the influence of leaching depth and the amount and frequency of irrigation on the growth of Atriplex semibaccata R. Br. Leaching depth as well as the amount and frequency of irrigation had no significant effect on biomass production. However, the interaction between leaching depth and amount of irrigation did influence the biomass production of Atriplex semibaccata. Root:shoot ratio increased as the amount of irrigation decreased.     

Similarity between the soil seed bank and the standing vegetation in the Strandveld Succulent Karoo,South Africa

The similarity in species composition and abundance between the soil seed bank and its associated vegetation was studied in six vegetation units of the Strandveld Succulent Karoo, South Africa. A total of 103 taxa were recorded in the vegetation, of which 34 taxa were also present in the seed bank. Five taxa were unique to the soil seed bank. In general, the taxa most abundant in the vegetation were also recorded in the seed bank and vice versa. Mean seed bank density varied between different plant types. Perennial taxa were most abundant in the vegetation, while annual taxa were most abundant in the seed bank. Annual taxa (excluding grasses) yielded the highest similarity between vegetation and seed bank (67ċ9 per cent), while that of perennial (excluding grasses) and grass taxa were 34ċ2 per cent and 40ċ0 per cent respectively. An overall similarity of 47ċ0 per cent between the seed bank and its associated vegetation was obtained for this part of the Strandveld Succulent Karoo. The seed bank of the study site will be a good source of future annual vegetation, but not of perennial vegetation. Topsoil replacement, sowing and transplanting of selected species will be essential for the success of post‐mining revegetation efforts following complete destruction of the existing vegetation. Annual species may be recruited from the soil stored seed bank, while many perennial species will have to be reintroduced by means of sowing and/or transplanting. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.