Sunflower mutant containing high levels of palmitic acid in high oleic background

A new sunflower mutant, CAS-12, was obtained, which has both high palmitic (≈30%) and high oleic acid contents, and also a substantial amount of palmitoleic acid (≈7%). The mutant was selected after X-ray irradiation of dry seeds of the inbred line BSD-2-423, which had normal palmitic (≈3%) and high oleic (≈88%) acid levels. The increase of palmitic and palmitoleic acids occurred at the expense of the oleic acid content, which decreased to around 55% in respect to the original line. Linoleic acid content is always under 5%. Palmitic and palmitoleic acid levels were similar to those of the high palmitic mutant CAS-5 obtained in a previous programme from a low oleic line isogenic to BSD-2-423 using a similar mutagenic treatment. In that previous programme we also selected three high stearic acid mutants using chemical mutagenic treatment on the same sunflower line (RDF-1-532). We attempted to obtain mutants in other lines but were unsuccessful. The isolation of similar mutants in isogenic parental lines illustrates the importance of the genetic background in the development of specific mutants with an altered seed oil fatty acid composition. The oil of this mutant will increase the range of potential uses of sunflower oil. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Recurrent selection in autogamous species under forced random mating

Summary Artificial selection in autogamous species is investigated applying standard algebraic techniques to conventional self-pollinating breeding systems as well as to recurrent cross-pollinating ones for both one and two-locus models. More than two loci are considered by means of computer simulations. Allelic and non-allelic genotypic interactions as well as genes with a large effect are considered whenever possible. The overall picture shows a clear superiority of recurrent selection systems over self-pollinating breeding systems when negative linkage disequilibrium is either present or generated as is expected in actual breeding populations. When epistatic interaction enhances the selective advantage of new recombinants the superiority of recurrent selection is even greater.     

Assessment of genetic relatedness of the genera Ananas and Pseudananas confirmed by RAPD markers

Genetic relationships among 18 accessions, including 16 of Ananas and two of Pseudananas, were investigated using RAPD molecular markers. The procedure for DNA extraction was adapted from the method of Dellaporta et al. (1983) where an incubation in proteinase K and a purification step were included. From the total of 148 markers scored,132 (89.2%) were polymorphic. The similarity matrix was used for cluster analysis. The phenogram developed from the RAPD bands showed that for most of the cases, the accessions within a species grouped together. Nevertheless, a moderate infraspecific genetic variation was observed. For example, DNA data grouped all A. comosus accessions with a mean similarity coefficient of 0.85. Comparable results were obtained with all other species investigated. The highest genetic divergence was found withinA. lucidus where the mean similarity coefficient among accessions was0.75. A similar level of genetic polymorphism was observed among species,therefore, a definition about which species were involved in the constitution of A. comosus genotypes was not possible. These results agree with the breeders standpoint suggesting that all Ananas species belong to the primary gene pool of pineapple. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Implications of the number of years assessment on recommendation of common bean cultivars

In the common bean crop in Brazil, the requirement of the value for cultivation and use trials is that these experiments must be conducted over two years in three locations per region. Information in regard to the necessary number of years to ensure precision in cultivar recommendation and the influence of evaluated years in the estimation of the GE interaction are still scarce. Using grain yield of five check varieties assessed over 11 years in three sowing seasons per year, the aims of this study are as follows: to measure the relative contribution of the GE interaction, evaluating the implication of the number of years in the estimates of the GE interaction, and infer how many years are needed to ensure precision in cultivar recommendation. For instances, analysis of variance was carried out involving all environments and also combinations of years. The results showed that the GE interaction was greater than all other cross‐effects involving lines. The use of at least two years allows good coincidence in cultivar recommendation compared to the whole period. Increasing the evaluation time is a good strategy, especially when it is difficult to grow three different sowing seasons.     

Effect of heated sunflower oil and dietary supplements on the composition, oxidative stability, and sensory quality of dark chicken meat

A factorial design was used to study the effect of dietary oxidized sunflower oils (fresh, heated at low temperatures, and heated at high temperatures), DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (0 or 100 mg/kg), and Zn supplementation (0 or 600 mg/kg) on the composition, oxidative stability, and sensory quality of dark chicken meat with skin from animals fed with a Se supplement (Se-enriched yeast, 0.6 mg of Se/kg). The positional and geometrical isomers of linoleic acid were increased in raw meat from chickens fed oils oxidized at high temperatures. In addition, supplementation with alpha-tocopheryl acetate increased the alpha-tocopherol content, whereas 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values and lipid hydroperoxide content were reduced. Likewise, TBA values, rancid aroma, and rancid flavor also decreased in cooked dark meat. However, none of the dietary factors studied affected consumer acceptability scores of cooked meat. Furthermore, Zn supplementation increased the Se content in raw meat.     

Rheological properties of concentrated skim milk: influence of heat treatment and genetic variants on the changes in viscosity during storage

Heat treatment during manufacturing of milk powder is one of the most important tools for manipulation of its functional properties, and it is the basis of the classification of these proteins into low-, medium-, and high-heat types. Slight differences in the sequences of the major proteins in milk (genetic variants) seem to have also a significant effect in milk powder processing (U.S. patent). Therefore, the effects of high-temperature storage and heat treatment on skim milk of defined genetic variants of beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG) were measured. The samples had 45% total solids, the temperature of aging was 50 degrees C, and the heat treatment was 90 degrees C for 10 min prior to evaporation. Measurements on shear rate and on apparent viscosity were determined for each sample. During storage of the concentrated milk, the apparent viscosity and yield values increased markedly, and the age-dependent increase in viscosity in heat-treated concentrated skim milks was much more pronounced than in those prepared from unheated skim milks. The increase in apparent viscosity and yield value with storage time was notably different for milks containing different genetic variants. Unheated concentrated milks containing the B variant of beta-LG showed the most rapid increase in apparent viscosity with storage time, whereas the viscosity increase was slowest in the concentrate containing the A variant. In contrast, heat-treated concentrated milks containing the A variant of beta-LG showed the most rapid increase in viscosity with storage time, whereas the viscosity increase was slowest in the concentrate containing the AB variant. The changes in apparent viscosity of concentrated milk were largely reversible under high shear during the early stages of storage, but samples stored for a long time showed irreversible changes in apparent viscosity. Particle size analysis confirmed irreversible aggregation and fusion of casein particles during storage.     

Off-vine grape drying effect on volatile compounds and aromatic series in must from Pedro Ximénez grape variety

Changes in 36 volatile compounds of must from ripe grapes dried by direct exposure to sun and must from ripe grapes were studied. Compounds not dependent on sampling site in both musts were selected, and their concentration/Brix degree ratio values, were subjected to variance analysis. Only butan-1-ol and isoamyl alcohols showed no differences, while (E)-hex-3-en-1-ol, (Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol, (E)-hex-2-en-1-ol, (E)-hex-2-enal, hexanoic acid, isobutanol, benzyl alcohol, 2-phenylethanol, gamma-butyrolactone, gamma-hexalactone, and 5-methylfurfural, showed significant differences between the two must types, which may be ascribed to the drying process. An approach to describe must odor has been carried out by grouping volatile compounds in aromatic series, increasing their values in the fruity, solvent, sweet, and roasted series and diminishing the herbaceous as a consequence of the drying process.     

Wild rabbit restocking for predator conservation in Spain

The decline of rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations in Mediterranean Spain has been shown to be one of the main threats to rabbit-specialist predators such as the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardina) and the Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti), two species which are in serious danger of extinction. Consequently, corrective measures such as increasing rabbit populations by restocking have been carried out to help the recovery of predator populations. In order to determine the general applicability of rabbit restocking for predator conservation, we performed three experimental restockings and evaluated their success in relation to season, habitat quality and the number of animals introduced. Rabbits were released either in large or small numbers in all four seasons of the year, and in habitat types defined as `poor' or `rich' according to the food availability for rabbits. For each restocking we evaluated rabbit survival, degree of residency and expected population increase. As a rule, the highest restocking success occurred whenever smaller number of rabbits were released in the richest quality habitat. Restocking during the breeding season was less successful than in other seasons. Problems concerning intraspecific competition, reproductive failure and diseases are discussed.     

The effect of aqueous extract of gross and commercial yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) on intra-abdominal and epididymal fat and glucose levels in male Wistar rats

This study analyzed the plasma lipid profile, glucose levels and fat deposits in male rats treated with aqueous extract of gross yerba mate, commercial yerba mate or water. Yerba mate treatment did not change body weight gain and lipid profile. The consumption of gross yerba mate significantly increased blood glucose (6.6 mmol/L) as compared to the water (4.8 mmol/L) and commercial group (5.2 mmol/L) and decreased epididymal and intra-abdominal deposits (10.1 mg/g and 23.7 mg/g of weight) as compared to the water (15.4 mg/g and 36.9 mg/g of weight) and commercial group (12.5 mg/g and 28 mg/g of weight). The results suggest that gross yerba mate reduces fat more efficiently but produces a greater increase in blood glucose when compared to commercial yerba mate and water groups.     

Hypoglycemic effect of lupin seed γ-conglutin in experimental animals and healthy human subjects

A lupin seed γ-conglutin-enriched preparation was tested in a glucose overload trial with both murine models and adult healthy volunteers. The results with rats showed a dose-dependent significant decrease of blood glucose concentration, which confirmed previous findings obtained with the purified protein. Moreover, three test-product doses equivalent to 630, 315, and 157.5 mg γ-conglutin, orally administered 30 min before the carbohydrate supply, showed a relevant hypoglycemic effect in human trials. Insulin concentrations were not significantly affected. The general hematic parameters did not change at all.This is the first report on the glucose-lowering effect of lupin γ-conglutin in human subjects.