New beverages of lemon juice enriched with the exotic berries maqui, açaı́, and blackthorn: bioactive components and in vitro biological properties

Following previous research on lemon juice enriched with berries, the aim of this work was to design new blends based on lemon juice mixed with different edible berries of exotic and national origin: maqui ( Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz), a?a?? ( Euterpe oleracea Mart.), and blackthorn ( Prunus spinosa L.). The phytochemical characterization of controls and blends was performed by HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS(n). Their antioxidant capacity against DPPH, superoxide, and hydroxyl radicals and hypochlorous acid and their potential to inhibit cholinesterases were also assessed. The profiling of the red fruits and lemon revealed a wide range of bioactive phenolics. The novel beverage based on lemon juice and maqui berry (LM) was the most interesting blend in terms of antioxidant capacity. Berry control samples displayed reduced effects on acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase, the lemon juice control being always the most active. This activity was also remarkable for lemon-blackthorn (LB) and lemon-a?a?? (LA) blends, the last being the most effective inhibitor of cholinesterases among all samples. The results suggested that lemon juice enriched with berries could be of potential interest in the design of new drinks with a nutritive related function on health for chronic diseases.     

Development of a potentiometric method to measure the resistance to oxidation of white wines and the antioxidant power of their constituents

This work describes a new potentiometric method to evaluate the resistance to oxidation of white wines. Reduction and oxidation titrations were made, and coefficient of variation obtained were 10.87 and 2.65%, respectively. The antioxidant powers of ascorbic acid (Aas) and sulfur dioxide (SO(2)) were evaluated by this method, SO(2) proving to be much less active in this respect than ascorbic acid. The two agents did not demonstrate any antioxidant synergy. A relationship between oxygen present and ascorbic acid was found by the proposed method (1 mmol of O(2) <--> 0.84 mmol of Aas). This method enables the distinction of different wines on the basis of their resistance to oxidation.     

Phenolic profile of quince fruit (Cydonia oblonga Miller) (pulp and peel)

Qualitative and quantitative analyses of phenolic compounds were carried out on quince fruit samples from seven different geographical origins in Portugal. For each origin, both pulp and peel were analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC-DAD and HPLC-DAD/MS.The results revealed differences between the phenolic profiles of pulps and peels in all studied cases. The pulps contained mainly caffeoylquinic acids (3-, 4-, and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acids and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid) and one quercetin glycoside, rutin (in low amount). The peels presented the same caffeoylquinic acids and several flavonol glycosides: quercetin 3-galactoside, kaempferol 3-glucoside, kaempferol 3-rutinoside, and several unidentified compounds (probably kaempferol glycoside and quercetin and kaempferol glycosides acylated with p-coumaric acid). The highest content of phenolics was found in peels.     

The use of sewage sludge as soil amendment. The need for an ecotoxicological evaluation

Background, aim, and scope  Sewage sludge use in agriculture should be limited by the presence of metals and other persistent environmental pollutants. The present study aims to contribute for the definition of a test battery of ecotoxicological assays that allows a proper ecotoxicological characterization of sludges, providing information on their potential hazard and identified “safe” application levels. Materials and methods  Three sludges from distinct sources (urban, olive-processing, and electroplating industries) were tested using avoidance and reproduction tests with earthworms (Eisenia andrei) and springtails (Folsomia candida) and plant growth tests with turnips (Brassica rapa) and oats (Avena sativa). Different soil–sludge mixture concentrations mimicking recommended/realistic field dosages were tested. Results  Only the sludge from the electroplating industry induced an avoidance response from the earthworms (EC₅₀ = 0.4 t/ha) and collembolans (no observed effect concentration (NOEC) = 15 t/ha). This sludge was the only sludge responsible for any effect on the reproductive output of the earthworms (EC₅₀ = 7.74 t/ha). Regarding collembolans, none of the sludges tested caused any significant decrease in reproduction. In higher plant tests, the two industrial sludges were toxic, causing a decrease growth in both species. The EC₂₀ values determined for B. rapa were 20.3 and 24.2 t/ha and for A. sativa 14.7 and 16.2 t/ha for sludges from olive-processing and electroplating industries, respectively. Discussion  The metal loadings of the different test sludges could partially explain the results obtained. The toxicity of the test sludge from electroplating industry observed on the tested invertebrates and plants could be explained by the high amount of total chromium from which 22.3% was in the most toxic oxidation state—Cr(VI). However, the toxicity caused by the sludge from the olive-processing industry in the test plants could be attributed to the presence of other compounds (not measured in this study) since the metal content was not high enough to induce such an effect. The absence of toxicity showed by the urban test sludge was in agreement with its low levels of metals. Conclusions  The response of the different test organisms and end points varied according to the sludge type. The urban sludge was non-toxic whereas the sludge from the electroplating industry caused a toxic effect on almost all parameters measured (avoidance behavior of both test organisms, reproduction of earthworms, and growth of both plant species). Sludge from the olive-processing industry only caused a toxic effect on growth of both plant species. By analyzing the sensitivity of the different parameters for the most toxic sludge, it was found that avoidance and reproduction were more sensitive than plant growth, whereas plant seed germination was not sensitive at all. Recommendations and perspectives  The ecotoxicological evaluation of wastes can be used as an environmental safety control of sludge use in agriculture. A tiered approach could be adopted for this purpose, incorporating avoidance tests in the first tier (screening level) and reproduction and plant growth tests in a second tier. But more evidence aiming to define the most suitable ecotoxicological test battery for specific sludges with a different contamination profile is still needed.     

Carbon Sequestration in Restored Soils by Applying Organic Amendments

The study of different natural carbon sinks has become especially important because of climate change effects. The restoration of contaminated areas can be an ideal strategy for carbon sequestration. The studied area was affected by toxic Aznalcóllar mine spill in 1998. Restoration process of the contaminated area was based, mainly, on the use of two organic amendments: leonardite (LE) and biosolid compost (BC). The objective of this study was to verify whether the application of these amendments promotes the long‐term carbon sequestration in this soil. Five treatments were established: untreated control, biosolid compost (doses 4 and 2) and leonardite (doses 4 and 2). The addition of amendments implied an improvement in soil quality that was directly related to the amendment dose: decrease in bulk density, increase in pH, higher respiration rates and an improvement in the stratification ratio. Dose‐dependent changes in the molecular composition of soil organic matter were shown by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Both amendments promoted carbon retention, although because of the low mineralization rates of soil organic matter in LE treatments, the carbon storage was higher. The dosage effect on the carbon balance was more important in LE treatments, whereas in the BC treatments, the balance was similar for both doses. Our findings suggest that LE4 significantly increased the total organic carbon and it was the most suitable treatment for long‐term carbon storage, because of its molecular composition rich in relatively stable aromatic and lignin‐derived compounds. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

RAPD and ISSR molecular markers in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Olea europaea</Emphasis> L.: Genetic variability and molecular cultivar identification

Thirty Portuguese and eight foreign olive (Olea europaea L.) cultivars were screened using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers. Twenty RAPD primers amplified 301 reproducible bands of which 262 were polymorphic; and 17 ISSR primers amplified 204 bands of which 180 were polymorphic. The percentage of polymorphic bands detected by ISSR and RAPD was similar (88 and 87%, respectively). The genetic variability observed was similar in the Portuguese and foreign olive cultivars. Seven ISSR and 12 RAPD primers were able to distinguish individually all 38 olive cultivars. Twenty specific molecular markers are now available to be converted into Sequence Characterised Amplified Region (SCAR) markers. Relationships among Portuguese and foreign cultivars is discussed.     

Effect of the conservation procedure on the contents of phenolic compounds and organic acids in chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius) mushroom

To check the influence of the conservation procedure in the chemical composition of chanterelle mushroom, phenolic compounds and organic acids of samples preserved under four different conditions (drying, freezing, conservation in olive oil and in vinegar) were determined. Phenolics and organic acids were analyzed by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-UV, respectively. The results showed that chanterelle is characterized by the presence of six phenolic compounds (3-, 4-, and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and rutin) and five organic acids (citric, ascorbic, malic, shikimic, and fumaric acids). Samples preserved in olive oil also exhibited hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, luteolin, and apigenin, whereas conservation in vinegar led to the detection of hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, and tartaric acid in the analyzed samples. The conservation procedures to which chanterelle samples were subjected seem to affect the qualitative and quantitative phenolics and organic acids profiles.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance studies of manganese toxicity,tolerance, and amelioration with silicon in snapbean

Plant genotypes within species differ widely in tolerance to excess manganese (Mn) that may occur in acid soils, or in neutral or alkaline soils having poor aeration caused by imperfect drainage or compaction. However, Mn tolerance mechanisms in plants are largely unknown. Silicon (Si) is reported to detoxify Mn within plants, presumably by preventing localized accumulations of Mn associated with lesions on leaves. Because Mn is paramagnetic, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, shows promise as a tool for characterizing toxic and non‐toxic forms of Mn in tolerant and sensitive plants. The objective of our study was to use EPR to: i) determine the chemical/ physical state of Mn in Mn‐tolerant and ‐sensitive snapbean cultivars; and ii) characterize the protective effects of Si against Mn toxicity. Manganese‐sensitive Wonder Crop 2 (WC) and Mn‐tolerant Green Lord (GL) cultivars of snapbean were grown at pH 5.0, in a greenhouse, in a modified Steinberg solution containing: Mn=0.05mg.L^‐1 (optimal); Mn=1.0mgL^‐1 (toxic); Mn=1.0 mg L^‐1 plus Si=4 mg L^‐1; and Mn=0.05 mg L^‐1 plus 4 mg Si L^‐1. All trifoliate leaf samples exhibited a 6‐line EPR signal that is characteristic of hexaaquo Mn²⁺. In both cultivars, a higher EPR Mn²⁺ signal‐intensity generally correlated with lower total leaf mass, higher total Mn concentrations and more pronounced symptoms of toxicity. Tolerance to excess Mn coincided with lower Mn²⁺ signal intensity. Silicon treatments ameliorated Mn toxicity symptoms in both genotypes, decreased total leaf Mn concentrations, and decreased EPR Mn²⁺ signal intensity. Results suggest that Mn toxicity is associated with reduced electron transport and accumulation of oxidation products in leaves. Amelioration of Mn toxicity by Si is regarded as connected with a reduction in this Mn‐induced process. Results indicated that EPR spectroscopy can be useful in investigating the biochemical basis for differential Mn tolerance in plants. The EPR observations might also help plant breeders in developing Mn‐tolerant cultivars.     

Of Harold and Chimbu revisited

Abstract: This paper discusses my collaboration with Harold Brookfield in the study of Chimbu land and society. We began in 1958 at the Australian National University and worked together until 1965 in joint fieldwork and writing, and then collaborated occasionally after that. It began both of our professional contributions that continued throughout our professional careers. The work could never have been done by one person, either geographer or anthropologist. Our joint paper of 1990 may be the only multigenerational land study in anthropology/geography. Our long‐term study of the Mintima area is a constant reminder of the hazards of short‐sighted development projections. Brookfield always knew what he wanted to find out, and always constructed original methods of research and analysis. The Chimbu–Mintima maps were redrawn many times with many different measuring methods, new air photography and increasing precision. He always connected any specific study and report of work to general theory and would compare a wide range of related findings in other places. His work is a model of scientific method and its place in geographical theory.     

On the drivers of UK direct investment in the Spanish regions: A spatial Durbin approach

This paper empirically examines the key factors driving UK direct investment in the Spanish regions over the period 2000–2016 and, consequently, tries to unveil its main motivation. Applying a spatial Durbin panel model to capture spatial linkages, the results point to the existence of complementarity between the FDI received by a region and that of the remaining ones. This outcome, along with a positive and statistically significant spillover effect of market potential, reveals that complex-vertical FDI motivation with agglomeration economies prevails among UK MNEs investing in Spain. Additionally, our findings unveil the role played by some other FDI drivers, such as wages and infrastructure. Furthermore, the paper is unique in decomposing the average direct and spillover effects by region and pairs of regions, so that remarkable differences can be identified. This breakdown has strong significance from a policy perspective since it can guide regional policy makers. In short, our findings point out to the fact that FDI policy should be jointly designed by those regions presenting strong bilateral spillover effects. Thus, greater cooperation among policy makers would be welcome.