Effect of Salt Concentration and Extremely Halophilic Archaea on the Safety and Quality Characteristics of Traditional Salted Anchovies

Extremely halophilic archaea (EHA) might play an important role in salted fish production. So far, limited information has been available on the effect of EHA and salt concentration on the safety and quality characteristics of salted anchovies. Eight Halobacterium salinarum strains were isolated from different sea salt samples and subjected to phenotypic and genotypic characterization. The strains were then inoculated into fresh salt before addition to anchovies. A total of 18 experimental productions were performed. The inoculated trials showed the lowest counts of undesired microorganisms. In particular, salted anchovies produced with Hbt. salinarum H11 showed the lowest histamine concentration as well as the highest sensory scores. Differences in terms of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were estimated among trials. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that experimental production performed with a reduced amount of salt (175 g of sea salt per kg of anchovies) did not affect the final quality of salted anchovies. The strain Hbt. salinarum H11 produced salted anchovies with well-appreciated organoleptic features. Thus, the addition of EHA and the use of a lower amount of sea salt might represent a valuable alternative to the traditional method for production of salted anchovies.     

Fungitoxic activity of four thio-functionalised glucosinolate enzyme-derived products on ten soil-borne pathogens

Enzyme-derived products obtained from thio-functionalised glucosinolates showed high fungitoxicity, a wide activity spectrum and special physicochemical properties, which suggest their potential as alternatives to commercial fumigants for controlling several soil-borne pathogens. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evolution of Carotenoids,Sensory Profiles and Volatile Compounds in Microwave-Dried Fruits of Three Different Loquat Cultivars (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.)

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - The consumption of loquat fruits is highly appreciated for their carotenoid content and valuable sensory notes, but it is limited due to the low shelf-life. An...     

Suppressive activity of some glucosinolate enzyme degradation products on Pythium irregulare and Rhizoctonia solani in sterile soil

Glucosinolate degradation products (GLDPs), mainly isothiocyanates, obtained by myrosinase‐catalysed hydrolysis of glucosinolates (GLs), are an important group of natural bioactive substances. The fungitoxic activity of four GLDPs, chosen on the basis of their side‐chain structures, was assayed against Pythium irregulare and Rhizoctonia solani. The effectiveness of the degradation products (DPs) of sinigrin (alkenyl GL), epi‐progoitrin (hydroxy‐alkenyl GL), glucoiberin and glucoerucin (thiofunctionalised GLs) in inhibiting P irregulare oospore germination and R solani soil colonisation were tested in a closed system, using an artificially infected soil. The fungitoxic activity of these GLDPs varied according to their side‐chain structure. As in previous in vitro studies, the thiofunctionalised GLDPs were found the most effective, producing complete inhibition of P irregulare oospore germination (0.01 µmole g⁻¹ soil) and R solani soil colonisation (0.5 µmole g⁻¹ soil), but even sinigrin DP showed a fungitoxic activity higher than that of epi‐progoitrin DP. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

The mutational landscape of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common, morbid, and frequently lethal malignancy. To uncover its mutational spectrum, we analyzed whole-exome sequencing data from 74 tumor-normal pairs. The majority exhibited a mutational profile consistent with tobacco exposure; human papillomavirus was detectable by sequencing DNA from infected tumors. In addition to identifying previously known HNSCC genes (TP53, CDKN2A, PTEN, PIK3CA, and HRAS), our analysis revealed many genes not previously implicated in this malignancy. At least 30% of cases harbored mutations in genes that regulate squamous differentiation (for example, NOTCH1, IRF6, and TP63), implicating its dysregulation as a major driver of HNSCC carcinogenesis. More generally, the results indicate the ability of large-scale sequencing to reveal fundamental tumorigenic mechanisms.     

Effects of glucosinolates and their enzymatic hydrolysis products via myrosinase on the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid et White) Chitw

The root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid et White) Chitw. is responsible for large yield losses in several horticultural crops. Fumigation with chemicals has been efficient in fighting this soil pest, but it clearly shows a negative environmental impact. Thus, it is necessary to find an environmentally friendly alternative to control this nematode and meet the requirements imposed by world regulation to ban some chemical fumigants in the world after 2005. The glucosinolate-myrosinase system, typical of the Brassicaceae family, appears to be an important natural alternative for the control of several soilborne pests and pathogens. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the biocidal activity of 11 glucosinolates and their degradation products on second-stage juveniles of the root-knot nematode M. incognita expressed by the nematicidal (LD(50)) and immobilization effects, after 24 and 48 h. None of the intact glucosinolates had any biological effect. After myrosinase addition, their hydrolysis products (essentially isothiocyanates) resulted in highly different biocidal activities. Among the hydrolysis products of the tested glucosinolates, 2-phenylethyl, benzyl, 4-methylthiobutyl, and prop-2-enyl isothiocyanate showed the stronger activity, with an LD(50) at concentrations of 11, 15, 21, and 34 microM, respectively. On the basis of the in vitro test results, new genotypes of Brassicaceae had been selected for high content in the roots of the glucosinolates generating the more active isothiocyanates and their agronomic performances verified in view of a full-field application as catch crop plants. With this aim, the qualitative and quantitative glucosinolate contents in the roots of these potentially nematicidal plants are also reported and discussed.     

Somatic embryo,adventitious root and shoot regeneration in in vitro grown quince leaves as influenced by treatments of different length with growth regulators

The purpose of this work was to acquire more information on the capacity of in vitro grown quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) leaves to simultaneously regenerate somatic embryos, adventitious roots and shoots, and to evaluate the variations induced on regeneration response by treatments of different length with growth regulators. After 2 days of liquid treatment with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, the leaves were cultured for 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21 days on gelled growth medium containing the basal components of Murashige and Skoog and kinetin (Kin) 4.5 μM + naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) 0.5 μM. At the end of each treatment period, the leaves were cultured on a transfer medium in the absence or in the presence of a growth regulator combination represented by N⁶-benzylaminopurine (BA) 2.66 μM + gibberellic acid 0.58 μM + indole-3-butyric acid 0.3 μM. The culture period for all the treatments was fixed to 52 days.     

Comparison of fine-scale recombination rates in humans and chimpanzees

We compared fine-scale recombination rates at orthologous loci in humans and chimpanzees by analyzing polymorphism data in both species. Strong statistical evidence for hotspots of recombination was obtained in both species. Despite approximately 99% identity at the level of DNA sequence, however, recombination hotspots were found rarely (if at all) at the same positions in the two species, and no correlation was observed in estimates of fine-scale recombination rates. Thus, local patterns of recombination rate have evolved rapidly, in a manner disproportionate to the change in DNA sequence.     

Ampelographic and genetic characterisation of ancestral grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) accessions present in the Umbria Region (Central Italy)

Summary

During an ongoing effort to recover and preserve local germplasm, 14 accessions of indigenous minor grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cultivars from the Umbria Region, Central Italy, were chosen because they had been neglected and were threatened with extinction. Their phenotypic and genetic characteristics were evaluated through an ampelographic study of their shoots, mature leaves, bunches, and berries and by genomic analysis using an international set of nine microsatellite (simple sequence repeat; SSR) markers (VVS2, VVMD5, VVMD7, VVMD27, VrZAG62, VrZAG79, VVMD25, VVMD28, and VVMD32). Comparisons of the SSR profiles of all 14 accessions with grapevine accessions in several databases permitted the identification of unique genotypes, as well as possible synonyms. Information on these older, neglected cultivars will help to reduce the genetic erosion of grapevine germplasm, improve conservation and possible recovery, and assist in the future production of new, distinctive wines.     

Aspergillus flavus transformation of glucosinolates to nitriles by an arylsulfatase and a β-thio-glucosidase

Biofumigation is a biocontrol method that uses volatile compounds to combat soil pathogens. We investigated a biofumigation process based on the green manure of Brassicaceae. These plants contain the glucosinolate-myrosinase system which releases inhibitory compounds such as isothiocyanate into the soil. However, the biocontrol effectiveness is often lower than expected, possibly due to microbial transformation of the isothiocyanates. In order to identify the possible function of microorganisms, their interaction with glucosinolates and glucosinolate-derived products was investigated. We report the ability of a soil isolate of Aspergillus flavus to grow in liquid culture and convert 2-propenyl and 2-phenylethyl glucosinolate and their desulfo-derivatives, to nitriles. This finding would suggest the existence of an arylsulfatase and a β-thio-glucosidase, different from myrosinase, which could direct glucosinolate conversion in soil towards nitriles rather than isothiocyanates. If confirmed in soil, our observations could at least partially explain the low concentrations of isothiocyanates after biofumigation.