Protein content and amino acid composition of eggs and endotrophic larvae from wild and captive fed sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Echinodermata: Echinoidea)

Knowledge on the biochemistry of proteins and amino acids (AA) of eggs and larvae of echinoids is scarce and the possibility to modify their profiles by diet manipulations is unknown. The protein content of eggs, prisms and pre‐plutei and the amino acid composition of eggs of Paracentrotus lividus from captive broodstock fed prepared diets were analysed and compared with the ones obtained from wild broodstock. Diets differed on protein source (fish or soy meals) and on protein content (10–40% dry weight – DW). Total and soluble protein content of both eggs and larvae was higher than 400 g kg^?1 DW and 200 g kg^?1 DW respectively. Glycine was the most abundant free AA. Very few differences were found among P. lividus eggs and larvae biochemical parameters, suggesting that their AA composition can hardly be changed by broodstock diet manipulations.     

Spawning aggregation behaviour in the Creole perch,Percichthys trucha (Percichthyidae): A target species for conservation

1. Habitat fragmentation and loss threaten freshwater biodiversity worldwide. Habitats that are essential as fish spawning and nursery sites are critical, and must be identified for conservation purposes. Littoral zones within Patagonian lakes, especially shallow vegetated areas, represent important areas for the Creole perch, Percichthys trucha.
2. Spawning behaviour has been little studied, so it is not known whether these movements are performed in groups. A particular area of a deep lake in northern Patagonia was studied to identify the environmental conditions under which spawning occurs, and to analyse spawning aggregation behaviour in relation to the lunar cycle.
3. To identify spawning sites, spawning occurrence time, and the environmental parameters that determine it, fish capture data were analysed. Underwater cameras were also set up at three depth strata in the shallow zone to detect spawning aggregation behaviour. Aggregation was scored as the greatest number of individuals present in a single frame, and the number present per depth stratum. The relationship between the lunar cycle and Creole perch abundance by depth was then determined.
4. This is the first visual record of a spawning bed and the spawning aggregation behaviour of Creole perch in Patagonian lakes. The abundance of mature Creole perch in the shallow strata during the austral spring suggests that vegetated areas constitute spawning sites. Spawning aggregation takes place at a shallow depth 2 days before the full moon.
5. As the reproductive behaviours of Creole perch are important phenomena in the life history of the species, the results of this study have important implications for conservation and management.

     

Bread-making performances of durum wheat semolina,as affected by ageing

The present study addresses the influence of ageing on the bread-making performances of durum wheat semolina by bread image analysis. Bread loaves were produced from semolina samples stored in 4 different packaging materials for up to 150 days. Sampling and bread-making trials were performed every 15 days. Results showed that ageing does affect durum wheat semolina bread-making performances, highlighting that storage time, rather than the type of packaging material, is the main factor determining quality changes in the final bread samples. In particular, a change in the crust colour parameters and a reduction of the bread slice area and height by 20–35% were observed with increasing semolina storage time, along with a slight increase of crust % area. The change in farinographic parameters of dough suggests that the observed reduction of technological quality might be due to increased stiffness and reduced extensibility of gluten occurring in aged semolina. Unlike common wheat flours, which usually improve their technological features during ageing, durum wheat semolina is negatively affected in its quality by storage. The study highlights the importance of considering bread-making performances among the quality parameters to be taken into account for the shelf life evaluation of durum wheat semolina.     

DNA-based methods for identification and quantification of small grain cereal mixtures and fingerprinting of varieties

The composition of cereal-based foods is a key factor in determining the quality and safety of the final product while the reliable identification of cereal species and cultivars are essential for the handling, marketing and processing of grain and for the protection of plant breeders' rights. Analytical methods have therefore been developed and applied to identify and quantify cereal species in food products and also to fingerprint and identify grain at the genotype and variety levels. DNA-based methods for the detection and quantification of mixtures of small grain cereals are reviewed, together with the recent development of molecular markers for varietal fingerprinting.     

Comparative histopathological and immunological study of two field strains of chicken anemia virus

Infection of poultry with chicken anemia virus (CAV) is implicated in several field problems in broiler flocks due to the immunosuppression generated and, consequently, the increased susceptibility to secondary infections. Recently, we have reported an increased occurrence of clinical cases caused by CAV strains distantly related to those commonly used for vaccination. In order to understand the behavior of two Argentinean CAV strains (CAV-10 and CAV-18) in two-week-old chickens, an immune and histopathological study was performed. Neither mortality nor clinical signs were observed in the infected or control groups. Thymus lobes from chickens infected with both CAV viruses were smaller compared to the negative control group. At 14 days post-infection (dpi), only chickens inoculated with CAV-10 show a severe depletion of lymphocytes in the thymus cortex and in follicles from the bursa of Fabricius. Also thymopoiesis disorders, such as reduction in the percentage of total DP (CD4 + CD8α+) thymocytes and alteration in the percentages of DP subpopulations, were more important in animals inoculated with the CAV-10 than the CAV-18 strain. In addition, only animals infected with CAV-10 show a decrease in CD8αβ splenocytes. Altogether our results show that, although both Argentinean CAV strains produce subclinical infections in chickens causing immunosuppression at 14 dpi, they might differ in their in vivo pathogenicity.     

Proteomic, metabalomic, and biochemical analysis of heat treated Valencia oranges during storage

Heat treatment induces defense mechanisms and triggers physiological responses that allow citrus fruit to withstand stressful conditions during storage. The aim of this paper was to identify changes in the proteome and the biochemistry of Valencia oranges (Citrus sinensis cv Valencia late) subjected to heat treatment before 0, 30 and 60 d of storage at 5 °C. Heat treatment for 48 h at 37 °C and 90% relative humidity was followed by 24 h at 20 °C. Differentially expressed proteins were detected by two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis and identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization MS. Twenty eight different proteins in 40 spots among the 61 analyzed were identified. Functional classification showed that the main affected categories were “Cell rescue, defense, and virulence” and “Metabolism”; while 20% were found to be storage proteins with the rest related to minor categories. Activity of antioxidant enzymes was also evaluated. The most conspicuous change was an increase in superoxide dismutase in both the flavedo and juice sacs. Peroxidases increased in flavedo but decreased in sacs while alcohol dehydrogenase increased in treated flavedo, but not in sacs. Other fermentative enzymes were not affected. Metabolite content showed a higher concentration of sugars in heat treated fruit, while the main acids were slightly or not affected. These results are consistent with the development of a lower degree of fruit susceptibility to fungal pathogens, thus explaining the maintenance of postharvest quality.     

Swinholide J, a potent cytotoxin from the marine sponge Theonella swinhoei

In our ongoing search for new pharmacologically active leads from Solomon organisms, we have examined the sponge Theonella swinhoei. Herein we report the isolation and structure elucidation of swinholide A (1) and one new macrolide, swinholide J (2). Swinholide J is an unprecedented asymmetric 44-membered dilactone with an epoxide functionality in half of the molecule. The structural determination was based on extensive interpretation of high-field NMR spectra and HRESIMS data. Swinholide J displayed potent in vitro cytotoxicity against KB cells (human nasopharynx cancer) with an IC(50) value of 6 nM.