Alteration of the genomic composition of Solanum nigrum (+) potato backcross derivatives by somatic hybridization: selection of fusion hybrids by DNA measurements and GISH

Fusion experiments were performed with a first (BC₁‐6738) and a second (BC₂‐9017) generation backcross hybrid of 6x Solarium nigrum (+) 2x potato somatic hybrids with potato cultivars. Because no progeny was obtained from the BC₂ genotypes, alternative approaches were sought to overcome the sexual crossing barrier. Five potato genotypes, one of which contains the hygromycin resistance gene, were used in the fusion experiments. All vigorous regenerants were used for the estimation of nuclear DNA content using flow cytometry. Plants with a DNA content higher than that of the BC₁‐6738 or BC₂ genotypes were considered potential somatic hybrids. Forty‐nine potential somatic hybrids resulted from fusion experiments with BC₁‐6738, from which 20 grew vigorously in the greenhouse and flowered. After pollination with several 4x potato cultivars, eight genotypes produced seeded berries and five genotypes gave seedless berries. In addition, 11 of these 13 somatic hybrids were selected for genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) analysis to determine their genomic composition. Nine had exactly or approximately the expected number of 36 S. nigrum and 60 potato chromosomes. In one genotype, only 22 instead of 36 S. nigrum chromosomes were found and one potato chromosome was possibly missing. Only five potential somatic hybrids were detected among the 79 regenerants from BC₂‐9017 (+) 2x potato fusion experiments that were analysed by flow cytometry. Two of these hybrids were rather vigorous and did flower, but pollinations with potato have not yet set any berries.     

Mapping wound-response genes involved in post-harvest physiological deterioration (PPD) of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

The genome locations of the wound-response genes that were expressedduring the post-harvest physiological deterioration (PPD) of cassava, suchas phenylalanine ammonia lyase, -1.3 glucanase, hydroxyprolinerich glycoprotein, catalase, 1-aminocyclopropane 1-carboxylate, cysteineprotease inhibitor, aspartic protease, a partial cDNA for serine/threonineprotein kinase and peroxidase, have been identified on the frameworkmolecular genetic map of cassava. Also, molecular markers linked toputative quantitative trait loci (QTLs) influencing PPD of cassava weremapped using an F₁mapping population derived from elite parentallines (TMS 30572 × cm 2177-2). A molecular linkage map previouslyconstructed based on the segregation of 240 RFLP, 100 RAPD, 85microsatellite and five isoenzyme markers on 144 F₁ individuals wasused for the QTL mapping.A set of 10 molecular markers with a significant association with putativeQTLs for PPD were identified based on probability values < 0.005in order to minimize the detection of false positives. Based on single-markerregression, eight putative QTLs located on the linkage groups G, P, L, U,and X of the female-derived framework map were found to explain between 5–12% of the phenotypic variance of the PPD. In the male-derived frameworkmap, two putative QTLs on linkage groups C and L explained 13% and11% of this variance, respectively. This study thus identified the majorgenome regions of cassava related to physiological post-harvestdeterioration, thereby providing tools for the identification of gene(s)controlling this trait.     

The effect of unilateral eyestalk ablation and diet on the reproductive performance of wild-caught Farfantepenaeus aztecus (Ives, 1891) using a closed recirculating maturation system

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of unilateral eyestalk ablation and diet on the reproductive performance of wild populations of Farfantepenaeus aztecus. In both studies, females in two treatments were unilaterally ablated while those in the control treatment were not. Shrimp in the non‐ablated treatment and one of the unilaterally ablated treatments received frozen bloodworms (8% BW day⁻¹) and frozen squid (12% BW day⁻¹). The bloodworm component of the diet of the third unilateral ablation treatment was replaced with frozen adult enriched Artemia sp. Ablated female population spawning per night, in both studies, was higher than non‐ablated spawning (8.5 and 8.9 vs. 2.6%; 7.4 and 7.5 vs. 2.7% respectively; P<0.05). Replacement of bloodworms with adult enriched Artemia sp. had no negative effect on the number of eggs spawned per ablated female (124 000 vs. 115 000 eggs spawn⁻¹; 144 000 vs. 151 000 eggs spawn⁻¹ respectively; P>0.05). The life span of ablated females fed adult enriched Artemia sp. was 8 and 40 days longer than ablated females fed bloodworms for the first and second studies respectively. Replacement of bloodworms with adult enriched Artemia sp. resulted in higher hatch and larval survival rates (Nauplius 1 to Zoea 1) (55.0% vs. 46.9% and 44.8% vs. 37.2%), respectively, P<0.05.     

Growth, carcasss composition, and taste of rainbow trout of different strains fed diets containing primarily plant or animal protein

Ten rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) strains were evaluated during early growth from 30 g to 250 g on two diets — one based on plant protein (soybean and cottonseed meal) and the other on animal protein (fish meal). Diets were formulated to be nutritionally isocaloric and isonitrogenous. Fish were fed identical starter diets until they weighed 30 g. Significant differences in growth rate were found attributable to fish strain. Differences associated with diet were nonsignificant. Percent dress-out data based on eviscerated weight, deboned weight, and fillet weight also showed significant differences in yield attributable to fish strain, but not to diet. Carcass composition varied among strains, but none of the differences could be attributed to diet. Organoleptic tests showed no differences in flesh acceptability associated with either fish strain or diet, and all trout tested were equally acceptable to human taste panels.     

Liquid chromatographic determination of basic nitrogen-containing polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in smoked foods

Several smoked foods were analyzed for basic nitrogen-containing polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (NPAH) content by a relatively rapid liquid chromatographic (LC) technique. The analyzed products included both domestic and imported market basket commodities. Nanogram quantities of NPAH standards were detected by UV and fluorescence detectors connected in series. The NPAHs were extracted from basic aqueous ethanolic solution into cyclohexane, extracted from cyclohexane into 6N HCl, and extracted back into cyclohexane after neutralization of the acid. The NPAHs were then purified by filtering the extract through deactivated basic alumina. The eluate from this step was concentrated to dryness, and the residue was dissolved in 95% ethanol and analyzed by LC, using a Vydac C-18 column and acetonitrile-water (9 + 1) as the mobile phase. Recoveries of 3 NPAHs, 5,7-dimethylbenz(a)acridine, dibenz(a,j)acridine, and dibenz(a,h)acridine, each added to salmon and sausage at the 5 ppb level, ranged from 62 to 101% by fluorescence measurement and from 64 to 106% by UV measurement. None of the NPAHs used as standards were found by either fluorescence or UV detection at levels greater than or equal to 5 ppb in any of the foods analyzed.     

Purification and glycosylation analysis of an acidic pectin methylesterase in jelly fig (Ficus awkeotsang) achenes

An acidic pectin methylesterase (PME) is responsible for the gelation of water extract from jelly fig (Ficus awkeotasang) achenes. A new, fast and efficient, method has been developed to purify this acidic PME. The method includes preparing jelly curd by traditional hand washing, extracting proteins from the curd, and separating PME by anion-exchanger. The purified PME exists as a monomer of 38 kDa determined by gel filtration, and exerts enzymatic activity over a broad pH range, particularly in acidic environments where most known PME enzymes from various species are inactivated. Chemical staining and enzymatic cleavage suggest that the jelly fig PME is an N-linked glycoprotein. Fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis reveals that the polysaccharide of this glycoprotein putatively consists of 22 hexoses including 16 mannose, 4 N-acetylglucosamine, and 2 galactose residues.     

Antioxidant capacity of some herbs/spices from cameroon: a comparative study of two methods

This study evaluates the antioxidant capacity of 14 herbs/spices from Cameroon. Freeze-dried samples extracted in methanol (free or unconjugated polyphenol) and in 1.2 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) in methanol (total antioxidant that is both unconjugated and conjugated) were analyzed using two different antioxidant assay methods [Folin-Ciocalteu reagent (Folin) and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)]. The 1.2 M HCl in methanol extracts had significantly higher (P < 0.001) antioxidant capacities than the methanolic extract. Generally, the FRAP antioxidant values were significantly (P < 0.001) higher than the Folin antioxidant values. Although a significant correlation (P < 0.05) was obtained between the Folin phenol and the FRAP antioxidant, the trends of the antioxidant capacity of the samples were different for the Folin and FRAP methods. The leaves of the Piper species top the total antioxidant tables in both Folin and FRAP assay methods, respectively. Irvingia gabonensis tops the FRAP free antioxidant list, while Piper umbellatum leads the Folin free antioxidant followed by Thymus vulgaris. Thus, the antioxidant capacity of plant samples determined by different methods should be interpreted with caution. However, irrespective of the assay method used, the samples were rich in antioxidants.