Increasing soy isoflavonoid content and diversity by simultaneous malting and challenging by a fungus to modulate estrogenicity

Soybeans were germinated on a kilogram-scale, by the application of malting technology used in the brewing industry, and concomitantly challenged with Rhizopus microsporus var. oryzae. In a time-course experiment, samples were taken every 24 h for 10 days, and the isoflavonoid profile was analyzed by RP-UHPLC-MS. Upon induction with R. microsporus, the isoflavonoid composition changed drastically with the formation of phytoalexins belonging to the subclasses of the pterocarpans and coumestans and by prenylation of the various isoflavonoids. The pterocarpan content stabilized at 2.24 mg of daidzein equivalents (DE) per g after ～9 days. The levels of the less common glyceofuran, glyceollin IV, and V/VI ranged from 0.18 to 0.35 mg DE/g and were comparable to those of the more commonly reported glyceollins I, II, and III (0.22-0.32 mg DE/g) and glycinol (0.42 mg DE/g). The content of prenylated isoflavones after the induction process was 0.30 mg DE/g. The total isoflavonoid content increased by a factor of 10-12 on DW basis after 9 days, which was suggested to be ascribable to de novo synthesis. These changes were accompanied by a gradual increase in agonistic activity of the extracts toward both the estrogen receptor α (ERα) and ERβ during the 10-day induction, with a more pronounced activity toward ERβ. Thus, the induction process yielded a completely different spectrum of isoflavonoids, with a much higher bioactivity toward the estrogen receptors. This, together with the over 10-fold increase in potential bioactives, offers promising perspectives for producing more, novel, and higher potency nutraceuticals by malting under stressed conditions.     

Pulsed electromagnetic fields effect in oregano rooting and vegetative propagation: A potential new organic method

Abstract

Many types of magnetic fields have already been investigated in order to find new methods to enhance plant growth. This study reports the positive effect of pulsed electromagnetic field on the main root characteristics (fresh weight, dry weight, root surface and length) of unrooted oregano stem cuttings. For oregano, vegetative propagation is commonly used, with rooted or unrooted stem cuttings, because seed propagation is not suggested for commercial cultivation. Oregano seeds are very small and, thus, difficult to handle. Vegetative reproduction in organic cultivation faces the ethical problem of the use of hormones to induce the rooting process in propagation beds. The purpose of this study was to determine if magnetic field can replace hormones in plant propagation and what the results of the combination of both magnetic field and hormones would be. Two types of stem cuttings were used (apical and middle) and the experiment was established in two different seasons (spring and autumn). The findings showed that magnetic field alone stimulates the rooting process in plant material, with results similar to or even statistically significantly better than those obtained using hormones. However, the combination of magnetic field and hormones resulted in measurements statistically significantly lower than with magnetic field alone. Such methods can potentially be useful for plant materials growers, providing better oregano seedlings, especially in organic farming, where chemical compounds are forbidden.     

EFFECT OF VARIOUS FOLIAR SPRAYS ON SOME FRUIT QUALITY ATTRIBUTES AND LEAF NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF THE PEACH CULTIVAR ‘ANDROSS’

The effect of various products applied as foliar sprays on some fruit quality attributes and leaf nutritional status of the peach cultivar ‘Andross’ for a three year period is reported. Foliar application of all calcium (Ca) products plus boron (B), did not affect mean fruit weight compared to the control. Application of profical plus calcium phosphite plus power 7-B resulted in an increase of flesh firmness. Low flesh firmness was measured at the potassium nitrate (KNO₃) and Chelan-K treatments. Foliar application of all Ca and K products did not alter significantly total soluble solids, total titratable acidity, and length and width of pits in comparison to the control. The highest amount of compact pits (without visual split) for the three year period was measured after foliar application of silene-K. Profical plus calcium phosphite plus power 7-B, and calcium chloride (CaCl₂) plus power 7-B gave also good results for the three years. Foliar application of agriphos, chelan-K, silene-K, and KNO₃ resulted in an increase of K concentration of leaves compared to the control. Foliar application of CaCl₂, bcazin, power-Ca, profical and calcium phosphite plus profical resulted in an increase of Ca concentration of leaves compared to the control for all the years. The efficacy of the foliar sprays varied from year to year indicating the influence of the climatic conditions on tree nutrition.     

Electrical Conductivity and pH Prediction in a Recirculated Nutrient Solution of a Greenhouse Soilless Rose Crop

The influence of nutrient solution (1) mixing rate, and (2) time of use on pH and electrical conductivity (EC) of a recirculated nutrient solution used for the irrigation of a greenhouse soilless rose crop was studied. Measurements of microclimate variables, pH, and EC of nutrient solutions and crop transpiration were conducted. The measurements of pH and EC values of nutrient solutions mixed with different mixing rates and applied for crop fertigation were used to develop and calibrate a model for pH and EC prediction in relation to nutrient-solution mixing rate and time of use. Application of the calibrated model gave satisfactory results. It was found that nutrient solutions with high mixing rates or volume equal to or double that of the total water consumed by the canopy during the conservation period had the most stable EC evolution and minimal pH changes.     

Effects of temperature on the induced spawning of channel catfish and the production of channel × blue catfish hybrid fry

Hybrid catfish (channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, female × blue catfish, I. furcatus, male) can be obtained by induced spawning and artificial fertilization but with variable results. Temperature of the surrounding environment affects the rates of physiological processes in fish including time to ovulation following hormone injection and time post-ovulation when quality eggs can be obtained. Brood females were held at 24, 26, and 28 °C in 100 L aquaria and injected with LH-RHa at 20 μg/kg followed 12 h later with 100 μg/kg. Fish were monitored hourly recording the time of the first egg deposit. Some females were manually stripped soon after the first eggs were observed, and the remaining females were stripped 4-6 h after the first eggs were observed. Eggs were artificially fertilized with blue catfish sperm and incubated. The percent of females that ovulated were 52.9%, 82.4% and 95.5% at 24, 26, and 28 °C (P = 0.001) respectively. The majority of females that ovulated did so between 58 to 64 h at 24 °C, 48 to 52 h at 26 °C and 24 to 40 h at 28 °C for a degree hour response time of 1405 ± 117, 1141 ± 238 and 951 ± 261 respectively (P < 0.001). Differences in eggs/kg female, eggs/g of eggs, percent viable eggs, percent hatch and survival of sac fry to swimup resulted in an average of 384.4 ± 316.97 fry/kg female at 24 °C, 370 ± 219.2/kg at 26 °C and 1284 ± 1394.1/kg at 28 °C (P = 0.136). Egg quality varied with how soon eggs were stripped after the first egg was observed. For fish held at 26 and 28 °C. the combined effects of egg quality and fry survival resulted in an average 1081 ± 1483.9 fry/kg female for fish stripped within 2 h after the first eggs were released and 500 fry/kg female when stripped after 4 or more hours once the first eggs were released.     

Discrimination between populations of picarel (Spicara smaris L., 1758) in the Aegean Sea, using multivariate analysis of phenetic characters

We examined the discrimination of picarel stocks in the Aegean Sea. The results of multivariate analysis on 14 morphometric and six meristic characteristics per individual showed no difference between the two sexes. Only morphometric characters showed enough between-group variability for the analysis. Analysis of these characters did not reveal clear discrimination of populations between all six areas examined. However, we can discriminate two major population groups. The first includes the populations of the North Aegean (Kavala, Alexandroupoli and Thessaloniki) and the second includes those of the South Aegean (North and South Crete and Cyclades). The phenetic tree of Mahalanobis distances showed that populations of picarel caught in neighbouring areas appear relevant.     

Perspectives of a scrapie resistance breeding scheme targeting Q211, S146 and K222 caprine PRNP alleles in Greek goats

The present study investigates the potential use of the scrapie-protective Q211 S146 and K222 caprine PRNP alleles as targets for selective breeding in Greek goats. Genotyping data from a high number of healthy goats with special emphasis on bucks, revealed high frequencies of these alleles, while the estimated probabilities of disease occurrence in animals carrying these alleles were low, suggesting that they can be used for selection. Greek goats represent one of the largest populations in Europe. Thus, the considerations presented here are an example of the expected effect of such a scheme on scrapie occurrence and on stakeholders.