Gluconic acid consumption in wines by Schizosaccharomyces pombe and its effect on the concentrations of major volatile compounds and polyols

Schizosaccharomyces pombe 1379 (ATCC 26760) yeast strain in wine substantially increases acetaldehyde and 1,1-diethoxyethane concentrations and to decreases levo-2,3-butanediol, glycerol, acetoin, and gluconic acid concentrations. In this study, S. pombe has been used for the first time to reduce gluconic acid in wine under aerobic conditions. Only acetaldehyde and acetoin exhibited significantly higher levels in the wines containing gluconic acid. The high in vitro specific activity of alcohol dehydrogenase observed may be directly related to the high production of acetaldehyde by the studied fission yeast.     

Antimicrobial activity of olive solutions from stored Alpeorujo against plant pathogenic microorganisms

The aim of this work was to assess the in vitro antimicrobial effects that wastewaters from alpeorujo oil extraction have against phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi. Alpeorujo was stored for 6 months and then processed to extract its oil, pomace, and a new liquid waste (OWSA), which was characterized by its content in phenolic compounds. OWSA at 20% decreased bu >4 log the population of Erwinia spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Clavibacter spp. viable cells in test tubes, whereas OWSA at 50% in agar medium was necessary to inhibit mycelial growth of most fungi. It was found that the bactericidal effect was due to the joint action of low molecular mass phenolic compounds, although neither hydroxytyrosol, its glucosides, hydroxytyrosol glycol, nor a glutaraldehyde-like compound individually explained this bioactivity. Hence, OWSA constitutes a promising natural solution to fight plant phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi.     

Breed differences in calving interval in the humid Mexican tropic

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of breed, breed and sex of the calf, farm, calving number (CN), type of calving, and their interactions on CI using records from four different beef breeds performing in the humid tropical environment of Mexico. The influence of these factors on CN was also evaluated. CI and CN varied with farm, breed of the dam, and with breed of the dam by calf breed interaction (P<0.001), while CI also varied with CN. Significant differences between Bos indicus and Bos taurus breeds for CI (432 vs. 488 days) and for CN (2.13 vs. 1.92) were observed (P<0.001). The interaction effects observed between breed of the dam by breed of the calf on CI and on CN were due to a favorable F₁ calf effect on CI observed only in Angus cows, although with an apparent unexpected negative impact on CN.     

Zeolites and diatom growth

Zeolites are widely used in some Asiatic countries, as they are believed to improve water quality and selectively enhance diatom growth through silicon leaching. Culture experiments with the diatom Chaetoceros sp. in medium f, with no silicate, and enriched with two natural and three artificial zeolitic products, showed an enhancement of between 0.2 and 0.6 cell duplications, which cannot be as a result of higher silicate availability because solubility experiments showed that natural zeolites do not leach any silicon, and that the amounts released by the artificial products are too small to improve diatom growth.     

Paraoxonase (PON) 1, 2 and 3 Expression in Granulosa Cells and PON1 Activity in Follicular Fluid of Dairy Cows

Normal metabolic activity in ovarian follicles may result in oxidative stress and damage to oocytes. The aim of this study was to evaluate expression of the natural anti‐oxidants paraoxonase (PON) 1, 2 and 3 in granulosa cells and PON1 activity in follicular fluid (FF) and plasma of dairy cows. For the first experiment, ovaries were collected from cows at slaughter, after which follicles were dissected and classified as oestrogen active (EAF) or atretic (ATF). Expression of PON1, PON2 and PON3 mRNA was evaluated in granulosa cells, and activity of PON1 was measured in FF. PON1 mRNA was undetectable in granulosa cells, PON2 mRNA expression was not different between follicle types, and PON3 mRNA tended to be higher in EAF (p = 0.11). The activity of PON1 in FF was higher (p = 0.01) for EAF (82.6 ± 8.0 kU/L) than ATF (53.9 ± 6.8 kU/L), as were high‐density lipoproteins (HDL), low‐density lipoproteins (LDL) and total cholesterol concentrations. In the second experiment, we aimed to compare plasma and FF PON1 activity in early lactation Holstein cows (n = 15) with pre‐ovulatory EAF. Activity of PON1 was twofold higher (p < 0.0001) in plasma (122.5 ± 11.1 kU/L) than in FF (61.4 ± 5.2 kU/L). Plasma concentrations were also higher (p < 0.0001) for HDL, LDL and total cholesterol when compared to FF. In conclusion, FF concentrations of PON1, HDL, LDL and total cholesterol were higher in healthy oestrogen active bovine follicles than in atretic follicles. PON1 was not expressed by granulosa cells indicating that high PON1 activity in bovine FF is apparently derived by transfer from blood in association with HDL.     

Vascular colonization patterns in susceptible and resistant tomato cultivars inoculated with Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici races 0 and 1

The vascular colonization pattern of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici races 0 and 1 in tomato was studied in five susceptible and five resistant cultivar–fungus combinations during a 26-day period after inoculation by root immersion. Propagules spread discontinuously along the stems in all five cultivars 1 day after inoculation, irrespective of cultivar resistance. Five days later the fungus was limited to the stem bases in all cultivars. Between the fifth and 12th days, stem colonization by the fungus stopped in all cultivar–race combinations. Thereafter, the situation remained stable in resistant combinations, with inoculum distributed discontinuously, and no disease symptoms were apparent. By contrast, in the susceptible combinations a gradual upward colonization of the stems was seen such that fungal distribution was no longer discontinuous and disease symptoms appeared. These results suggest that a fungal 'incubation' period in the base of the vascular system is required before a secondary invasion of tissues occurs in susceptible genotypes. The slope of the regression line fitted between the height reached by the fungus up the stem ( y ) and the time after inoculation ( x ) provides a measure of the horizontal (polygenic) resistance in tomato cultivars     

Evaluation of Non-Fumigant Alternative Soil Treatments for Strawberry Production in Huelva (Spain)

ABSTRACT

Since 1997, our IFAPA working group has developed a series of projects to evaluate new chemical and non-chemical soil disinfestation practices. During 2013–14 non-chemical (biological) alternatives have been tested with the objective of improving the biosolarization techniques, using different carbon sources and doses of organic biofumigant products under different types of plastic tarp. Throughout the growing season, the greatest production for cv. Florida Fortuna (52,672 kg/ha, by the end of May) was obtained with biosolarization using dried olive pomace (12,500 kg/ha) and virtually impermeable film; whereas biosolarization with chicken manure at 25,000 kg/ha had the lowest fruit production (42,517 kg/ha) among biosolarization treatments. Biosolarization treatments significantly reduced soil populations of M. phaseolina and Fusarium spp., and effectively suppressed nematode infestation.     

Effect of Planting and Harvesting Dates on Strawberry Fruit Quality under High Tunnels

ABSTRACT

There is an increasing demand in the market to improve strawberry quality by promoting human-health compounds content, as these may play a significant role in the prevention of chronic diseases. Strawberry cultivars, environmental conditions, and agronomical conditions have an effect on fruit characteristics; therefore, it is necessary to constantly generate information about the cultivar response to different production areas and cultural practices. The goal of this work was to evaluate the effect of two planting dates, two harvest dates, and four strawberry cultivars on total phenolic acid (gallic acid equivalent), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), and soluble solid content?titratable acidity-1 (SSC?TA-1) ratio in Huelva, Spain. Sixteen treatments resulted from the combination of four cultivars, two planting dates, and two harvest dates. Strawberry ‘Camarosa’, ‘Sabrosa’, ‘Aguedilla’, and ‘Fuentepina’ were selected for both seasons and planted on 7 Oct. (early planting) and 21 Oct. (late planting). Mid-February and mid-April were considered early and late harvest, respectively. Nutraceutical and organoleptic responses were specifics for each cultivar. The highest SSC?TA-1 ratio was observed in ‘Fuentepina’ planted late and harvested early. ‘Aguedilla’ resulted in the highest phenolic content when harvested in the late season. Additionally, phenolic content was significantly higher when using late planting combined with late harvest in most of the cultivars. Late harvested ‘Camarosa’ showed the highest TA concentration, whereas ‘Sabrosa’ resulted in the highest SSC regardless of harvesting date. Additionally, ‘Aguedilla’ and ‘Sabrosa’ showed the highest ascorbic content. Strawberry quality could be improved by selecting the adequate planting and harvesting dates according to specific cultivars.     

A novel use of Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Miridae) as inoculative agent of baculoviruses

Background

Alphabaculoviruses are Lepidoptera-specific virulent pathogens that infect numerous pests, including the Spodoptera complex. Due to their low environmental persistence, the traditional use of Alphabaculoviruses as bioinsecticides consist in high-rate spray applications with repeated treatments. Several abiotic and biotic factors can foster its dispersion, promoting their persistence in the agroecosystem. Amongst biotic factors, predatory arthropods can disperse the viruses by excretion after preying on infected individuals. Therefore, this study focused on promoting predator's ingestion of nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV)-treated diets, and the later exposition of the insect host to leaf surfaces contaminated with predator excreta. The virus–host–predator system studied was Spodoptera littoralis nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpliNPV), Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) and Nesidiocoris tenuis (Reuter). The infective potential of N. tenuis feces and the retention time of SpliNPV were assessed under laboratory conditions after feeding on treated diets (sucrose solution and Ephestia kuehniella eggs).

Results

Mortality of S. littoralis larvae was lower via N. tenuis excretion than in positive control (spray application) in the first infection cycle, together with a delay in host death. In the second infection cycle, both SpliNPV-treated diets triggered 100% mortality. Both diets allowed the transmission of SpliNPV, with a faster excretion via sucrose solution compared to E. kuehniella eggs. SpliNPV remained in N. tenuis digestive tract and was viable after excretion at least for 9 days for both diets.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated the potential of the predator N. tenuis as inoculative agent of baculoviruses, representing a new alternative that, along with inundative applications, might contribute to improve pest management strategies. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.