Phenolic acids composition,total polyphenols content and antioxidant activity of Triticum monococcum, Triticum turgidum and Triticum aestivum: A two-years evaluation

Wheat is a good source of polyphenols, plant metabolytes with beneficial effects on human health. However, little information is available on phenolic acid composition and concentration in different Triticum species, as well as on possible environmental effects. To shed some light on this issue, thirty-nine wheat accessions cropped for two years and belonging to different Triticum species (Triticum monococcum, Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccum, turanicum and durum, Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta and aestivum) were assessed for phenolic acids (ferulic, p-coumaric, vanillic, syringic, p-hydroxybenzoic, caffeic acids and syringaldehyde), total polyphenols and antioxidant activity in soluble conjugated and insoluble bound extracts. Ferulic acid was the most abundant compound in both extracts. Insoluble bound phenolic acids represented >90% of total phenolic acids. Einkorn showed the maximum concentration of conjugated phenolic acids (50.5 mg/kg DM), while durum and bread wheats presented the highest content of bound phenolic acids (651.8 and 629.2 mg/kg DM, respectively). Cropping year influenced the concentration of conjugated but not of bound phenolic acids. A survey of phenolic acid distribution in the kernel showed that they are rare in endosperm, but abundant in germ and bran. Total polyphenols and antioxidant activity were highly correlated to phenolic acid content.     

Perception of UV-B by the Arabidopsis UVR8 protein

To optimize their growth and survival, plants perceive and respond to ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation. However, neither the molecular identity of the UV-B photoreceptor nor the photoperception mechanism is known. Here we show that dimers of the UVR8 protein perceive UV-B, probably by a tryptophan-based mechanism. Absorption of UV-B induces instant monomerization of the photoreceptor and interaction with COP1, the central regulator of light signaling. Thereby this signaling cascade controlled by UVR8 mediates UV-B photomorphogenic responses securing plant acclimation and thus promotes survival in sunlight.     

Three new furostanol saponins from the leaves of Lycianthes synanthera ("Chomte"), an edible Mesoamerican plant

Three new furostanol oligoglycosides, 3-O-{alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl}-26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-22alpha-methoxy-25R-furost-5-ene-3beta,17alpha,26-triol (1), 3-O-{alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl}-26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylfurost-5-ene-3beta,17alpha,22alpha,25,26-pentol (2), and 3-O-{alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl}-26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylfurost-5-ene-3beta,22alpha,25,26-tetrol (3), named lycianthosides A-C, together with known flavone glycosides were isolated from Lycianthes synanthera leaves, an edible plant of the Solanaceae family that grows naturally in Guatemala. The nutrient composition of the raw leaves was also evaluated.     

A long-period, violently variable X-ray source in a young supernova remnant

Observations with the Newton X-ray Multimirror Mission satellite show a strong periodic modulation at 6.67 +/- 0.03 hours of the x-ray source at the center of the 2000-year-old supernova remnant RCW 103. No fast pulsations are visible. If genetically tied to the supernova remnant, the source could either be an x-ray binary, composed of a compact object and a low-mass star in an eccentric orbit, or an isolated neutron star. In the latter case, the combination of its age and period would indicate that it is a peculiar magnetar, dramatically slowed down, possibly by a supernova debris disc. Both scenarios require nonstandard assumptions about the formation and evolution of compact objects in supernova explosions.     

Pastoralism and plant cover in the lower Shabelle Region,Southern Somalia

A vegetation and rangeland survey has been carried out in the lower Shabelle region, Southern Somalia, with the aim of evaluating the natural vegetation as a source of forage for grazing animals. In this framework, four different vegetation types have been recognized and mapped using remote sensing techniques; general vegetation characteristics, mainly floristic and physiognomic aspects, are described. Dynamic relationships between these vegetation types are also outlined.     

SSR markers reveal the uniqueness of olive cultivars from the Italian region of Liguria

Twenty-three important Ligurian olive accessions corresponding to 16 cultivars were studied using 12 SSR markers and 40 Mediterranean cultivars were included in the study in order to investigate the relationships between Ligurian and Mediterranean germplasm. All SSRs produced polymorphic amplifications. One hundred and forty-nine alleles were found in the 63 accessions analysed. Twenty-two alleles were specific to germplasm from Liguria and of these 12 were unique to single cultivars. Heterozygosity and discriminating power calculated in this regional germplasm were high on average (0.70 and 0.74) and not so much lower than the values in the total sample that includes cultivars from different Mediterranean countries (0.77 and 0.88 respectively). No cases of genetic identities were found between Ligurian and Mediterranean accessions. Several cases of homonyms and synonyms within the Ligurian germplasm were explained. Cluster analysis generally revealed a clear discrimination of the profiles from Liguria and Italy with respect to the cultivars from other Mediterranean countries. Only one Ligurian cultivar, “Negrea”, appeared to have a different origin, grouping with the Mediterranean cultivars.     

Fruit Branding: Exploring Factors Affecting Adoption of the New Pear Cultivar ‘Angelys’ in Italian Large Retail

‘Angelys’ is a new brand of pear cultivar, produced and marketed under the trademark license model called “Club variety.” The main aim of this article was to evaluate factors triggering a potential interest in Italian large-scale retail regarding the marketing of ‘Angelys’ and how large-scale retailers would exploit it to enhance their market potential. An explorative analysis approach was applied via in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews with major Italian large-scale retail fruit purchase managers. The results show that although sensory properties, handling features, and Italian origin are highly appreciated by professional customers, the need to sell at a premium price might limit the interest of retailers for this new variety. Finally, implications and recommendations for academics and operators are discussed.     

Heterodera elachista the Japanese cyst nematode parasitizing corn in Northern Italy: integrative diagnosis and bionomics

The Japanese cyst nematode Heterodera elachista was detected parasitizing corn cv Rixxer in Bosco Mesola (Ferrara Province) in Northern Italy. The only previous report of this nematode was in Asia (Japan, China and Iran) attacking upland rice; being this work the first report of this cyst nematode in Europe, and confirmed corn as a new host plant for this species. Integrative morphological and molecular data for this species were obtained using D2-D3 expansion regions of 28S rDNA, ITS1-rDNA, the partial 18S rDNA, the protein-coding mitochondrial gene, cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI), and the heat-shock protein 90 (hsp90). Heterodera elachista identified in Northern Italy was morphologically and molecularly clearly separated from other cyst nematodes attacking corn (viz. H. avenae, H. filipjevi, H. delvii, H. oryzae, H. sacchari, H. sorghi, H. zeae, Punctodera chalcoensis, and Vittadera zeaphila) and rice (H. oryzae, H. sacchari). The phylogenetic relationships of H. elachista from Northern Italy with other cyst-nematodes using rDNA and mtDNA showed a separation of the genus Heterodera in various morphospecies groups based on vulval cone structures. The development and parasitic habit of H. elachista on naturally infected corn cv Rixxer confirmed a typical susceptible reaction, including multinucleate syncytial cells in parenchymatic cells. Under greenhouse conditions, H. elachista successfully reproduced on two crops widely used in Northern Italy, such as corn (cv PR 33) and rice (cv Baldo). Considering the limited host-range of this nematode, that include two of the three world’s most important crops, special attention is needed for avoiding the dispersal of this nematode into new areas, by movement of soil on equipment, water, and contaminated containers infested soil, or agricultural practices.