Impact of crop production system on the content of macronutrients in potato tubers

ABSTRACT

The content of macronutrients in potato tubers arouses interest because of their substantial consumption in the world and significant role in elements' budget in human diet. The research objective has been to evaluate the content of macronutrients in tubers of potatoes grown in different systems of crop production in Poland. In 2012–2014, an experiment was conducted to test potato cultivation in three-crop production systems: conventional, integrated and organic. In each of the six-field crop rotation systems, there were five potato cultivars classified into different earliness groups. The following macronutrients in dry mass of potato tubers were determined: N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, S and Cl, and the various ratios between them were calculated. The research carried out proved that potatoes production systems affect the chemical composition of tubers, which is additionally modified by whether condition and genetic features of cultivars. Potato tubers from organic farming contained by about 20% less N than tubers from conventional or integrated systems. Potato tubers from organic production system displayed lower content of Ca and Na in comparison with the conventional and integrated systems. The least of P and S were detected in tubers of the potatoes grown conventionally.     

Induction of T helper type 2 immunity by a point mutation in the LAT adaptor

The transmembrane protein LAT (linker for activation of T cells) couples the T cell receptor (TCR) to downstream signaling effectors. Mice homozygous for a mutation of a single LAT tyrosine residue showed impeded T cell development. However, later they accumulated polyclonal helper T (TH) cells that chronically produced type 2 cytokines in large amounts. This exaggerated TH2 differentiation caused tissue eosinophilia and massive maturation of plasma cells secreting to immunoglobulins of the E and G1 isotypes. This paradoxical phenotype establishes an unanticipated inhibitory function for LAT that is critical for the differentiation and homeostasis of TH cells.     

Effects of the commercial extract of aronia on oxidative stress in blood platelets isolated from breast cancer patients after the surgery and various phases of the chemotherapy

Since the extract from berries of Aronia melanocarpa presents antioxidative properties in plasma and in blood platelets, not only from healthy group, but also from patients with benign breast diseases and in patients with invasive breast cancer before surgery, the aim of our present study was to evaluate the oxidative stress by measuring the level of various biomarkers of this process such as the generation of superoxide anion radicals (O(2)(-·)), the amount of carbonyl groups and 3-nitrotyrosine in proteins or the amount of glutathione in blood platelets isolated from breast cancer patients after the surgery and after various phases of the chemotherapy in the presence of A. melanocarpa extract (Aronox) in vitro. We demonstrated in platelet proteins from patients with invasive breast cancer (after the surgery and after various phases of the chemotherapy) higher level of carbonyl groups than in control healthy group. The level of 3-nitrotyrosine in platelet proteins from patients with invasive breast cancer was also significantly higher than in healthy subject group. We observed an increase of other biomarkers of oxidative stress such as O(2)(-·) and a decrease of GSH in platelets from patients with breast cancer (after the surgery and after various phases of the chemotherapy) compared to the healthy group. In model system in vitro our results showed that the commercial extract from berries of A. melanocarpa due to antioxidant action, significantly reduced the oxidative/nitrative stress in platelets from patients with invasive breast cancer caused by the surgery and various phases of the chemotherapy.     

The Impact of Fertilization Methods on the Nutrient Balance and Changes of Soil Chemical Features in Crop Rotation

The effect of various fertilization methods on the simplified nutrients balance and changes of soil chemical features in crop rotation was estimated on the basis of 7-year (1994-2000) studies carried out on loess-based, sedimentary-gley, light-clay soil. Different fertilization methods were used: A - mineral fertilization; B - mineral and manure fertilization; C - straw, green manure and mineral fertilization; D - ecological compost and biodynamic preparation fertilization. Particular fertilization methods caused a significant differentiation of the nutrients balance. A positive phosphorus balance was found out in all the fertilization systems. It has been observed that the nitrogen and potassium carry-in with fertilizers was higher than the carry-out with crops in system B and C. A favorable calcium balance was achieved in systems C and D while a favorable magnesium balance - only in the ecologically fertilized systems (D). The changes of soil chemical features were only insignificantly dependent on the nutrient balance. After seven years of research, the contents of humus, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium increased while the soil reaction decreased in the soil of all the fertilized systems except the ecologically fertilized system.     

Cycloate,an inhibitor of fatty acid elongase,modulates the metabolism of very‐long‐side‐chain alkylresorcinols in rye seedlings

BACKGROUND: Cycloate inhibits the biosynthesis of very‐long‐chain fatty acids, the essential constituents of plant waxes and suberin. Fatty acids also serve as precursors of aliphatic carbon chains in resorcinolic lipids, which play a fundamental role in the plant defence system against fungal pathogens. In this study, the effect of cycloate on the biosynthesis of 5‐n‐alkylresorcinols in rye seedlings (Secale cereale L.) grown under various light and thermal conditions was examined. RESULTS: The content of alkylresorcinols biosynthesised in rye was generally increased by the herbicide in both green and etiolated plants. The presence of cycloate also affected patterns of alkylresorcinol homologues in plants grown at 15 and 22 °C; very‐long‐side‐chain compounds were less abundant, whereas both short‐chain saturated and unsaturated homologues were generally accumulated. No cycloate‐related effects caused by homologue pattern modifications were observed at elevated temperature. CONCLUSION: This study extends present understanding of the mode of action of thiocarbamate herbicides. Cycloate markedly affected the biosynthesis of very‐long‐side‐chain resorcinolic lipids in rye seedlings, confirming the existence of parallels in both fatty acid and alkylresorcinol biosynthetic pathways. The observed cycloate‐driven accumulation of 5‐n‐alkylresorcinols may improve the resistance of cereals to infections caused by microbial pathogens. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Leaf surface sesquiterpene alcohols of the potato (Solanum tuberosum) and their influence on colorado beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) feeding

The structures of two previously unknown sesquiterpene alcohols of the potato (Solanum tuberosum) were assigned. The potato alcohols were obtained by steam-distillation, preparative column chromatography, and separation into fractions by HPLC on a silica gel column. The fractions were studied by GC-FID, GC-MS, and NMR spectroscopy. The potato sesquiterpene alcohols were identified as kunzeaol (6-alpha-hydroxygermacra-1(10),4-diene) and ledol. These two compounds were used in feeding tests with larvae and beetles of the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say). In a bioassay, kunzeaol was found to act as a feeding attractant for the beetles.     

Neurotoxic effects of ivermectin administration in genetically engineered mice with targeted insertion of the mutated canine ABCB1 gene

Objective-To develop in genetically engineered mice an alternative screening method for evaluation of P-glycoprotein substrate toxicosis in ivermectin-sensitive Collies. Animals-14 wild-type C57BL/6J mice (controls) and 21 genetically engineered mice in which the abcb1a and abcb1b genes were disrupted and the mutated canine ABCB1 gene was inserted. Procedures-Mice were allocated to receive 10 mg of ivermectin/kg via SC injection (n = 30) or a vehicle-only formulation of propylene glycol and glycerol formal (5). Each was observed for clinical signs of toxic effects from 0 to 7 hours following drug administration. Results-After ivermectin administration, considerable differences were observed in drug sensitivity between the 2 types of mice. The genetically engineered mice with the mutated canine ABCB1 gene had signs of severe sensitivity to ivermectin, characterized by progressive lethargy, ataxia, and tremors, whereas the wild-type control mice developed no remarkable effects related to the ivermectin. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-The ivermectin sensitivity modeled in the transgenic mice closely resembled the lethargy, stupor, disorientation, and loss of coordination observed in ivermectin-sensitive Collies with the ABCB1-1Δ mutation. As such, the model has the potential to facilitate toxicity assessments of certain drugs for dogs that are P-glycoprotein substrates, and it may serve to reduce the use of dogs in avermectin derivative safety studies that are part of the new animal drug approval process.     

Artiifcial meat? Feasible approach based on the experience from cell culture studies

This short review is to list pros and cons which are based on the literature and personal experience in cel culture studies related to possible commercial production of artiifcial meat as functional fo...     

Inhibitory effect of natural phenolic lipids upon NAD-dependent dehydrogenases and on triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells in culture

Alkylresorcinols are phenolic lipids present at levels of 0.03-0.15% in wheat and rye grains and almost 10 times higher in respective bran products. Despite numerous studies on the influence of dietary fibers on the regulation of energy metabolism, this issue still remains controversial. The objective of our current studies was to investigate whether 5-n-alk(en)ylresorcinols, natural phenolic components of high fiber human diets, may be considered as natural regulators of excessive fat accumulation. Our studies revealed that 5-n-alk(en)ylresorcinols isolated from wheat and rye bran inhibit glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, the key enzyme in triglyceride synthesis in adipocytes, specifically and effectively. Further in vitro studies showed that these compounds also prevent triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. The most effective compound in both systems was 5-n-heneicosylresorcinol. The results indicate that the potential to prevent triglyceride accumulation increases with the hydrophobicity of the phenolic inhibitor.     

Artificial meat? Feasible approach based on the experience from cell culture studies

This short review is to list pros and cons which are based on the literature and personal experience in cell culture studies related to possible commercial production of artificial meat as functional food. The general view of muscle composition and determinants of meat quality are shortly described. Principles of muscle cell propagation in culture and mutual relationships between different cell types present in this organ are briefly discussed. Additionally, the effects of some cytokines and growth factors for muscle cell growth and muscle tissue development are indicated. Finally, conclusion remarks related to detrimental consequences of meat production to natural environment as well as personal opinion of author on the prospects of artificial meat production are declared.