Arsenic uptake,distribution, and accumulation in bean plants: Effect of Arsenite and salinity on plant growth and yield

The response of bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to different levels of arsenic (As) and salinity was investigated, including the processes of uptake, distribution, and accumulation of As and the effect of arsenite and salinity on plant growth and fruit production. The experiment was performed in soilless culture at two levels of As: 2 and 5 mg As L^‐1 [added as sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂)], and three saline levels [only sodium chloride (NaCl) was added]: 1,000,2,000, and 4,000 μS#lbcM^‐1. Arsenic uptake and concentration in root increased upon increased NaAsO₂ concentration in the nutrient solution. However, the increase in the As root content was not proportional to the As level in the nutrient solution. High levels of salinity in solution decreased As uptake and the concentration of As in root, stem, and leaf. Upon uptake, As was readily translocated to the aerial organs and approximately half of the absorbed As was transported to the upper parts of the bean plants. The As concentration in fruit always remained below the recommended limit for As content in fruit and edible vegetal products. While salinity did not significantly affect plant growth, arsenite was found to be phytotoxic to the bean plants.     

Bushmeat characteristics vary with catchment conditions in a Congo market

Ever-increasing rates of subsistence and commercial bushmeat hunting in African moist forests result in unsustainable exploitation levels for many mammals. Bushmeat markets are found in a large number of human settlements throughout the region and may be used to monitor the state of game species in catchment areas. As depletion of large-bodied species forces hunters to focus on small-bodied species this is likely to be reflected in the mean body mass and species composition of animals sold in that market. In this paper we present data on bushmeat sold in Basankusu market in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a 2-year period (276 sample days). We counted 10,358 carcasses of 33 mammal taxa, emerging from nine well-defined hunting catchment zone; an area of more than 45,000 km². For each catchment we assessed human pressures using metrics derived from remote sensing. Human population density correlated with higher species richness of species harvested, as well as with an increase in rarer taxa, and with a tendency for more individuals with higher intrinsic rates of reproduction to be observed. We suggest that simple surrogates of anthropogenic pressure and faunal characteristics in markets can be used as a rapid tool to measure faunal depletion of mammals at a regional scale. Such a system of evidence-based game monitoring would allow identification of both potentially overhunted and of less-disturbed areas for consideration in strategic planning.     

Effects of plant diversity on the density and herbivory of the flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae Goeze, in California collard (Brassica oleracea) cropping systems

Populations of the flea beetle, Phyllotreta cruciferae Goeze (Coleoptera:Chrysomelidae), were greater in weed-free collards than in collard monocultures and polycultures (intercropped with beans) left weedy for 2 or 4 weeks after transplanting or for the entire season. Flea beetle densities and amount of leaf damage per individual collard plant were significantly lower in the plots with crucifer weeds (mainly Brassica campestris L.), possibly because the beetles preferred to feed and/or concentrate on this plant rather than on collards.     

Oleuropein ameliorates acute colitis in mice

Oleuropein, the major secoiridoid in olive tree leaves, possesses a wide range of health promoting properties. It has recently been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity. We have evaluated the effect of oleuropein on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis in mice in order to provide insight into its mechanisms of action. Oral administration of oleuropein notably attenuated the extent and severity of acute colitis while reducing neutrophil infiltration; production of NO, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α; expression of iNOS, COX-2, and MMP-9; and the translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit to the nucleus in colon tissue. In LPS-stimulated peritoneal macrophages, the oleuropein metabolite, hydroxytyrosol, was shown to inhibit NO production, iNOS expression, NF-κB p65 subunit translocation, mRNA expression, and the release of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. These results suggest that the effect of oleuropein on DSS-induced colitis is associated with a decrease in the production of interleukins and expression of proteins, principally through reduction of NF-κB activation.     

Improvement of table grapes quality and safety by the combination of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and eugenol, menthol, or thymol

Table grape is a nonclimacteric fruit that shows a rapid loss of quality during storage and is very susceptible to colonization by fungi, especially Botrytis cinerea, which is considered the most important disease of this commodity. To solve this problem, synthetic fungicides have been used, although legal restrictions and consumer's concern demand the search of other safe means. In the present paper, and as an alternative of synthetic fungicides, an active packaging to improve MAP effectiveness on preserving table grape (cv. Crimson Seedless) quality and safety was developed by the addition of 0.5 mL of eugenol, thymol, or menthol inside the packages. Packages were stored at 1 degree C for 35 days. The final gas composition inside the packages was 1.4-2.0 and 10.0-14.5 kPa of CO(2) and O(2), respectively, with no significant slight differences among treatments. Results showed that the addition of eugenol, thymol, or menthol improved the beneficial effect of MAP in terms of delaying weight loss and color changes, retarding degrees Brix/acidity ratio evolution, and maintaining of firmness. Thereafter, these treatments showed additional benefit in terms of delayed rates of rachis deterioration and berry decay. Finally, the total viable counts for both mesophilic aerobics and especially yeast and molds were significantly reduced in the grapes packaged with the natural antimicrobial compounds. All of the above effects led to maintenance of table grape quality and safety for longer storage periods (3 additional weeks as compared to controls under MAP only).     

Safety evaluation of an oak-flavored milk powder containing ellagitannins upon oral administration in the rat

Ellagitannins are phenolic compounds that occur in a number of dietary sources such as walnuts, raspberries, pomegranate, strawberries, and oak-aged wines. Ellagitannins have been acknowledged to have antioxidant and cancer chemopreventive activities. However, ellagitannins have also been considered to be "antinutrients" and have been reported to provoke adverse effects in animals. In this context, risk assessment studies are demanded to ensure that chemicals present in food do not compromise food safety. Oak-flavored milk can be obtained by thermal treatment of milk in the presence of oak shavings. The oak-flavored milk can be used to impart wood-like flavor to different recipes. The present study evaluated, under a subchronic approach, the safety of an oak-flavored milk powder containing ellagitannins in rats upon repeated oral administration for 96 days. The effect of 30% oak-flavored milk powder in the diet was evaluated. This amount involved a margin of safety equivalent to the daily intake of 134 yogurts by a 70 kg person for 96 days. Growth rate, food utility index, 9 hematological, and 13 serobiochemical parameters as well as the metabolism and tissue distribution of ellagitannins and derived metabolites were studied. Overall, no significant differences were found in oak-milk-fed rats in any blood parameter analyzed. No effect was found on growth rate and food utility index. Urolithin A was identified in feces of rats fed oak-flavored milk and the glucuronide derivative in urine. No metabolites were found in the liver, kidney, or uterus. Histopathological analysis of liver and kidney corroborated the absence of toxicity. Therefore, these results suggest that the intake of the oak-flavored milk powder assayed in this study is safe and does not involve potential hazard to human health.     

Effect of Substrate Reutilization on Yield and Properties of Melon and Tomato Crops

Certain ecologically-friendly substrates have recently been shown to be perfectly viable alternatives to other more traditional ones such as rockwool, perlite, or some hydroponic systems. However, in order to be competitive for vegetable production in the Mediterranean region, substrates must be used for at least one year. The present study assessed random samples of two commercial substrates, almond shell and compost from greenhouse vegetable residue. The substrates were evaluated as growing media for long-term soilless production. Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of reusing these substrates, comparing them with rockwool in terms of yield and fruit quality characteristics of melon and tomato. The physical, physico-chemical, and chemical properties studied differed significantly on reutilizing these materials. However, these differences did not prove to be limiting factors when fertigation parameters applied were adjusted according to substrate properties. The results suggest that compost and commercial almond shells seem to be acceptable growing media after at least 265 and 530 days of reutilization, respectively.     

Persistence and molecular evolution of Mycobacterium bovis population from cattle and wildlife in Doñana National Park revealed by genotype variation

The role of wildlife in tuberculosis epidemiology is being widely studied since it can affect the effectiveness of eradication campaigns in cattle. The health problem is enhanced when it concerns also wildlife welfare and biodiversity conservation. This study was performed to understand the epidemiology of Mycobacterium bovis population affecting livestock and wild animals in the Do?ana National Park using bacteriology and molecular characterisation techniques. Tuberculosis research was performed on 1209 cattle and wild animals (artiodactyla and carnivore) collected over 6 years in the Park. One hundred and sixty-three animals were found to be infected with M. bovis, comprising 7.96% of the cattle and 20.53% of the wild animals tested. Spoligotyping revealed nine patterns, being SB1232 and SB1230 the most prevalent (77.30% and 15.34% of infected animals, respectively). MIRU-VNTR analysis of a selected panel of 92 isolates showed eight different profiles, including several spoligotypes within the same MIRU-VNTR profile. The discriminatory capacity of both techniques in this panel was similar. The results obtained by combination of both techniques corroborate that wildlife species are infected with the M. bovis strains which are more prevalent in cattle and reveal their persistence. Genotype variation between isolates strongly suggests micro-evolutionary events in the M. bovis population in the same area. This study in the Do?ana National Park exposes the risk of introduction of domestic animals into wildlife areas when there is not a warranty of disease freedom, appropriate diagnostic techniques and control measures.     

Activity of octylthiotrifluoropropan-2-one,a potent esterase inhibitor,on growth,development, and intraspecific communication in Spodoptera littoralis and Sesamia nonagrioides

A series of experiments were conducted to examine the effect of 3-octylthio-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanone (OTFP) on growth, development, and behavior of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and the corn stalk borer, Sesamia nonagrioides (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The chemical behaved as an oviposition deterrent and, when added to the diet of the second-instar larvae of both insects, reduced diet consumption and growth, pupation, and adult emergence. Treatment of 100-5000 ng of the compound on fourth-instar larvae for 3-24 h, however, did not produce significant differences in the amount of diet ingested. Our results suggest that the effect of OTFP is long-lasting and that the inhibitor is not fully detoxified by the detoxification enzymes of the digestive tract of the insects. In behavioral assays, adult males which had been treated with the chemical at the larval stage were less attracted to the pheromone source than regular untreated males. When Sp. littoralis untreated females were used as the attractant source, treated males also displayed significantly fewer contacts with the cage-containing females than untreated or solvent-treated males. In the presence of treated females, only 27% of treated males successfully completed the flight in comparison to animals responding to solvent-treated females (54.5%). By contrast, when Se. nonagrioides females, whether they had been subjected or not to the treatment, were used as the attractant source, males were similarly attracted to them regardless of whether they had been treated or not at the larval stage. Analyses of gland extracts of Sp. littoralis treated females showed no difference from control insects in the qualitative or quantitative composition of the pheromone blend. The results obtained, in combination with other results previously reported by us (Riba, M.; Sans, A.; Bau, P.; Grolleau, G.; Renou, M.; Guerrero, A. J. Chem. Ecol. 2001, 27, 1879-1897), provide new and relevant information about the possible utility of these chemicals in future studies directed to the development of new approaches for pest control.