Total Phenolic and Phytosterol Compounds and the Radical Scavenging Activity of Germinated Australian Sweet Lupin Flour

In addition to their favourable nutritional profile, legumes also contain a range of bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds and phytosterols which may protect against chronic diseases including cancer and cardiovascular disease. Germination of some legume seeds has been previously reported to increase the concentration of the bioactive compounds. In this study, the effect of germination of Australian Sweet Lupin (ASL) seeds for 9 days on the concentration of some bioactive compounds and the radical scavenging activity in the resulting flour was determined. The concentration of total phenolic compounds in methanolic extracts of germinated ASL flour was determined using Folin Ciocalteu reagent and phytosterols in oil extracts were analyzed by gas–liquid chromatography. The methanolic and oil extracts were also used to determine radical scavenging activity toward 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. In the methanolic extracts of germinated ASL flour, phenolic contents and the antioxidant activity were significantly increased following germination (700 and 1400 %, respectively). Analysis of the oil extracts of germinated ASL flour revealed that the concentration of phytosterols and the antioxidant activity were also increased significantly compared to ungerminated ASL flour (300 and 800 %, respectively). The relative proportion of phytosterols in germinated ASL flour was: β-sitosterol (60 %), stigmasterol (30 %) and campesterol (10 %). Germination increases the concentration of bioactive compounds and the radical scavenging activity in the germinated ASL flour.     

Comparative fatty acid profiles of wild and farmed tropical freshwater fish rohu (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo rohita</Emphasis>)

The proximate composition of the whole body and the fatty acid composition of the liver, muscle, eye and brain of wild and cultured rohu (Labeo rohita) were analyzed. The cultured species was found to have significantly (P < 0.05) higher lipid contents than its wild counterpart. The saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) fatty acid contents were significantly higher in the cultured species, whereas the n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels were higher in the wild species. Fatty acids C16:0 and C18:1 n-9 were the principal fatty acids of the SFAs and MUFAs, respectively, identified in the analyses. Docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid were the predominant PUFAs in both groups, and all three were found to be present at significantly (P < 0.05) higher levels in the wild species. Erucic acid (C22:1 n-9), which was the predominant fatty acid (30.76%) in the feed, was detected only at low levels in muscle (0.30%), liver (1.04%) and eye (1.28%) of cultured fish tissue.     

Development of genetic SSR markers in Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei and application to isolates from Australia

The barley powdery mildew pathogen, Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei (Bgh), exists in numerous haplotypes and displays significant differences in fungicide sensitivity. It causes considerable yield losses throughout the world. Microsatellite SSRs are useful tools to study the population level and biogeographic aspects of intraspecific diversity, but so far none have been defined for Bgh. Here, eight polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified and characterized. Primer pairs amplifying the loci were then applied to 111 isolates of Bgh from Australia. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 4 to 13, and Nei's genetic diversity ranged from 0·25 to 0·76. The microsatellite primers detected several clones among the isolates and defined 97 unique haplotypes. There was little evidence for regional genotypic subdivision, suggesting that gene flow may not be restricted among geographic regions. All data was consistent with high levels of genetic diversity, potentially resulting from random mating and spread within each region.     

Geochemical characteristics of sediments from a reservoir (tank) ecosystem in Sri Lanka

Major, trace and selected high field strength element geochemistry of fresh-water sediments from the Malagane tank, Deduru Oya basin, Sri Lanka, has been investigated in this study. Sediment samples were collected from 13 locations and analyzed for their elemental distribution using the X-ray fluorescence technique. The sediments were characterized by relatively low organic matter, ranging from 4.8 to 16.9%. The elemental distributions were compared with those of the average upper continental curst, and it was found that, with a few exceptions, most of the studied elements are either comparable or depleted. Correlation and principal component analyses were applied to identify the relationships among studied elements. Major elements, most trace and light rare earth elemental distribution show strong positive correlation with Al₂O₃ and TiO₂, which indicate that the phyllosilicates and heavy minerals in the sediments are the probable hosts for these elements. The results also indicate that the sediments in the Malagane tank are representative of the materials from the metamorphic rocks in the watershed and were subjected to changes within the tank ecosystem. The results obtained from this study are vital for future pollution management of tank ecosystems in Sri Lanka, since information on elemental distribution within the sediments of tank ecosystem is lacking.     

Field comparison and crop production modeling of sweet corn and silage maize (Zea mays L.) with treated urban wastewater and freshwater

In Australia, interest in wastewater reuse has grown. While wastewater can potentially offer a nutrient advantage over conventional irrigation, crop yield increases may be offset by effects of high salinity. Effects of wastewater irrigation on crop production and soil health were investigated in two ways: a field experiment addressing short-term effects and modeling longer-term impacts. The field experiment was established at the Shepparton Wastewater Treatment Plant in Shepparton, Victoria, to compare effects of wastewater irrigation to conventional irrigation. Silage maize and sweet corn (Zea mays L.) were grown over the summer of 2012–2013 under the following flood irrigation treatments: wastewater and freshwater with and without fertilizer. Both harvests produced yields and qualities comparable to commercial farm standards, and no significant differences were found between water types. Maize production with long-term wastewater irrigation at various salinities was modeled, and no significant yield losses were observed after 50 years of simulated irrigation. Topsoil electroconductivity doubled after the field trial and simulation results predicted significant soil salt accumulation by factor of 2. Mean wastewater sodium absorption ratio of 4.52 and electroconductivity of 1.52 dS/m indicate potential for sodicity-related soil problems for long-term irrigation. Management of soil health may be necessary.