The Development of Chemical and Biological Profiling for the Forensic Provenancing of Norfolk Soils

Soils are frequently analysed by forensic laboratories by comparing a suspect sample to an especially collected control sample. As yet, they cannot be compared to a central database, unless the area in question has already been identified; with the use databases being highly contested within the field of forensic geosciences. There is a need for a method of soil profiling that allows an unknown sample to be tested and assigned a quantitative likelihood that it originated from a given region. Spatial models can then be created using geographical information systems to house multiple datasets and be used to map soils across geographical areas. Generally, the more variables available with which to compare items, the greater the certainty a forensic analyst can have when asserting their similarity; this applies to geological materials. Equally, soil profiling methods can be used to exclude soil samples from each other or an area. This research involves a number of chemical and biological profiling methods that have been used to build up a unique signature for soils from different locations across Norfolk. All analyses have been carried out on a single source sample. 87Sr/86Sr ratios have been measured using MC-ICP-MS, and trace element concentrations measured using ICP-MS. The 87Sr/86Sr ratios are significantly different at each of the sample locations; although there is some variation in the replicates collected at each location this variation is smaller than the regional variation. The correlation between the isotope chemistry of the topsoil and the underlying geology is poor, indicating that other sources such as land-use, vegetation cover and additions to the soil contribute to the 87Sr/86Sr. Therefore, trace element concentrations have been used to spatially discriminate samples and to investigate the effect of fertilisers on the elemental composition of the topsoil. The biological techniques used to aid discrimination are soil DNA analysis using the chloroplast-located matK gene and MALDI-ToF-MS, palynology and the creation of Norfolk vegetation maps showing all of the plant species recorded in the area; each additional independent dataset allows for an increasing signature of each sample to be built up which can be used for assessing similarity or exclusionary purposes

Herbs and Spices

This edited volume, “Herbs and Spices”, is a collection of reviewed and relevant research chapters, offering a comprehensive overview of recent developments in the field of agricultural and biological sciences. The book comprises single chapters authored by various researchers and edited by an expert active in the medical research area. All chapters are complete in itself but united under a common research study topic. This publication aims at providing a thorough overview of the latest research efforts by international authors on herbs and spices, and opening new possible research paths for further novel developments

Comprehensive high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting in quality control of herbal drugs, preparations and products

[eng] Quality control of herbals has its roots in the study of morphoanatomic and organoleptic characters. Nevertheless, in the last century, with the evolution of analytical chemistry, the quality control rapidly evolved from elementary tests to the use of sophisticated instruments combined with software for data management. In the current days, many authorities and organizations recommend a suite of tests, featuring many of these instruments, to evaluate quality of herbal products. HPTLC offers a comprehensive set of data that can be used not only for identification but also to evaluate the purity and content of herbal drugs, herbal preparations, and herbal products. The objective of this doctoral thesis was to explore in-depth the capacities of HPTLC and develop applications for quality control of herbals, far beyond simple identification of the herbal drugs, preparations, and products. For that, five studies were developed. In the first study, the quality of herbal drugs, preparations, and products from milk thistle fruit, coneflower root and aerial parts and black cohosh root, regulated under food supplements or medicines were evaluated with existing HPTLC methods. The suitability of these methods, using the entire fingerprint and several detection modes, as a tool for detecting quality problems, mainly adulterations, was confirmed. In the second study, the comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting concept was developed with the goal of simplifying the quality control process. This concept combines the qualitative and quantitative information of HPTLC images, obtained in a single analysis, to evaluate the identity, purity and content of herbals. The possibilities of applying it to identify an herbal drug, detect mixtures with re¬lated species (purity), and develop a minimum content test of an analytical marker were demonstrated in Angelica gigas root. In the third study, the application of comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting aimed to go one step beyond in the test for adulterants and to evaluate the use of the HPTLC for purity limit tests. This approach was evaluated with sam¬ples of ginkgo leaf and extracts, commercialized as food supplements in different countries. This study demonstrated that the information contained in the HPTLC finger¬prints was suitable for verifying levels of rutin and quercetin, providing results similar to that of the HPLC limit test. It was also useful for detecting mixtures of ginkgo products not only with rutin and quercetin but also with buckwheat herb and sophora (flower bud or fruit). In the fourth study, it was evaluated the use of comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting as an alternative method to the current HPLC assay of markers of TCM drugs in the Ph. Eur. The goal of this project was to simplify the determination of content and thus reducing the number of tests to be performed during quality control. For this evaluation, two TCM herbal drugs were chosen by the experts of the TCM working party of the Ph. Eur.: Fritillaria thunbergii bulbs and corydalis rhizome. In both cases, comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting was proven useful for identification and minimum content testing in one single analysis. The fifth study goes one step beyond in the content determination. While the previous studies focused in the quantification of single markers, this study aimed to apply comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting to quantify a group of constituents in an herbal drug, as an example of a more holistic assessment of quality. This determination was combined with the tests for purity and identity. To illustrate this concept, Ganoderma lucidum fruiting body was chosen. In this work, HPTLC proved to be a useful technique for routine quality control of herbal drugs, preparations and products. As demonstrated, it can simplify this process by applying the concept of comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting. A detailed guideline of how to develop, validate and apply comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting methods for routine quality control of herbals has been elaborated and is also included in the thesis.  [cat] El control de qualitat dels productes a base de plantes té les seves arrels en l'estudi dels caràcters morfoanatòmics i organolèptics. No obstant això, al segle passat, amb l'evolució de la química analítica, el control de qualitat va evolucionar ràpidament des de proves elementals a l'ús d'instruments sofisticats combinats amb programari per a la gestió de dades. Actualment, moltes autoritats i organitzacions recomanen un conjunt de proves, amb molts d'aquests instruments, per avaluar la qualitat dels productes a base de plantes. La HPTLC ofereix un conjunt complet de dades que poden usar-se no només per a la identificació, sinó també per avaluar la puresa i el contingut de drogues i preparats vegetals i productes a base de plantes. L'objectiu d'aquesta tesi doctoral va ser explorar en profunditat les capacitats de la HPTLC i desenvolupar aplicacions per al control de qualitat dels productes de plantes medicinals, molt més enllà de la simple identificació de drogues i preparats vegetals i productes acabats comercialitzats. Per això, es van desenvolupar cinc estudis. En el primer estudi, es va avaluar la qualitat de les drogues vegetals, preparats vegetals i productes a base de plantes del fruit de card marià, l'arrel i la part aèria de equinàcia i l'arrel de cimicífuga, regulats com complements alimentosos o medicaments, amb els mètodes existents de HPTLC. Es va confirmar la idoneïtat d'aquests mètodes, utilitzant l'empremta dactilar completa i diversos formes de detecció, com una eina per a detectar problemes de qualitat, principalment adulteracions. En el segon estudi, es va desenvolupar el concepte d'anàlisi integral de l'empremta dactilar per HPTLC (comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting) amb l'objectiu de simplificar el procés de control de qualitat. Aquest concepte combina la informació qualitativa i quantitativa de les imatges d’HPTLC, obtingudes en una única anàlisi, per avaluar la identitat, la puresa i el contingut dels productes a base de plantes. La seva aplicabilitat per identificar una droga vegetal, detectar mescles amb espècies relacionades (puresa) i desenvolupar un assaig de contingut mínim d'un marcador analític es van demostrar en l'arrel d'Angelica gigas. En el tercer estudi, l'aplicació de l'anàlisi integral de l'empremta dactilar per HPTLC va tenir com a objectiu anar un pas més enllà en l'assaig de adulterants i avaluar l'ús de l’HPTLC per a l'assaig límit de puresa. Aquest enfocament es va avaluar amb mostres de fulla i extracte de ginkgo, comercialitzats com a complements alimentosos en diferents països. Aquest estudi va demostrar que la informació continguda en les empremtes dactilars per HPTLC era adequada per verificar els nivells de rutina i quercetina, proporcionant resultats similars als de l'assaig límit per HPLC. També va ser útil per detectar mescles de productes de ginkgo no només amb rutina i quercetina, sinó també amb part aèria de blat sarraí i sòfora (botó floral i fruit). En el quart estudi, es va avaluar l'ús de l'anàlisi integral de l'empremta dactilar per HPTLC com un mètode alternatiu a l'actual valoració de marcadors per HPLC en drogues vegetals de la medicina tradicional xinesa (MTC) a la Ph. Eur. L'objectiu d'aquest projecte era simplificar la determinació del contingut i, per tant, reduir el nombre de proves a realitzar durant el control de qualitat. Per a aquesta avaluació, dues drogues vegetals de la MTC van ser elegides pels experts del grup de treball TCM de la Ph. Eur.: bulb de Fritillaria thunbergii i rizoma de coridalis. En tots dos casos, es va demostrar que l'empremta dactilar completa per HPTLC era útil per a la identificació i l'assaig de contingut mínim en una sola anàlisi. El cinquè estudi va un pas més enllà en la determinació del contingut. Si bé els estudis anteriors es van centrar en la quantificació de marcadors individuals, aquest estudi va tenir com a objectiu aplicar l'anàlisi integral de l'empremta dactilar per HPTLC a la quantificació d'un grup de components en una droga vegetal, com un exemple d'una avaluació més holística de la qualitat. Aquesta determinació es va combinar amb els assajos d'identitat i puresa. Per il·lustrar aquest concepte, es va triar el carpòfor de Ganoderma lucidum. En aquest treball, s'ha demostrat que la HPTLC és una tècnica útil per al control de qualitat rutinari de drogues i preparats vegetals i productes a base de plantes, i que es pot simplificar aquest procés aplicant el concepte d'anàlisi integral de l'empremta dactilar per HPTLC. S'ha elaborat una guia detallada (inclosa a la tesi) sobre com desenvolupar, validar i aplicar mètodes d'anàlisi integral de l'empremta dactilar per HPTLC per al control de qualitat rutinari de productes a base de plantes.[spa] El control de calidad de los productos a base de plantas tiene sus raíces en el estudio de los caracteres morfoanatómicos y organolépticos. Sin embargo, en el siglo pasado, con la evolución de la química analítica, el control de calidad evolucionó rápidamente de las pruebas elementales al uso de instrumentos sofisticados combinados con software para la gestión de datos. Actualmente, muchas autoridades y organizaciones recomiendan un conjunto de pruebas, con muchos de estos instrumentos, para evaluar la calidad de los productos a base de plantas. La HPTLC ofrece un conjunto completo de datos que pueden usarse no sólo para la identificación, sino también para evaluar la pureza y el contenido de drogas y preparados vegetales y productos a base de plantas. El objetivo de esta tesis doctoral fue explorar en profundidad las capacidades de HPTLC y desarrollar aplicaciones para el control de calidad de los productos de plantas medicinales, mucho más allá de la simple identificación de drogas vegetales, preparados vegetales y productos finales comercializados. Para eso, se desarrollaron cinco estudios. En el primer estudio, se evaluó la calidad de las drogas vegetales, preparados vegetales y productos a base de plantas del fruto del cardo mariano, la raíz y la parte aérea de equinácea y la raíz de cimicífuga, regulados como complementos alimenticios o medicamentos, con los métodos existentes de HPTLC. Se confirmó la idoneidad de estos métodos, utilizando la huella digital completa y varios modos de detección, como una herramienta para detectar problemas de calidad, principalmente adulteraciones. En el segundo estudio, se desarrolló el concepto de análisis integral de la huella dactilar por HPTLC (comprehensive HPTLC fingerprinting) con el objetivo de simplificar el proceso de control de calidad. Este concepto combina la información cualitativa y cuantitativa de las imágenes de HPTLC, obtenidas en un único análisis, para evaluar la identidad, la pureza y el contenido de los productos a base de plantas. Su aplicabilidad para identificar una droga vegetal, detectar mezclas con especies relacionadas (pureza) y desarrollar un ensayo de contenido mínimo de un marcador analítico se demostraron en la raíz de Angelica gigas. En el tercer estudio, la aplicación del análisis integral de la huella dactilar por HPTLC tuvo como objetivo ir un paso más allá en el ensayo de adulterantes y evaluar el uso de la HPTLC para el ensayo límite de pureza. Este enfoque se evaluó con muestras de hoja y extracto de ginkgo, comercializados como complementos alimenticios en diferentes países. Este estudio demostró que la información contenida en las huellas dactilares por HPTLC era adecuada para verificar los niveles de rutina y quercetina, proporcionando resultados similares a los del ensayo límite por HPLC. También fue útil para detectar mezclas de productos de ginkgo no sólo con rutina y quercetina, sino también con parte aérea de trigo sarraceno y sófora (botón floral y fruto). En el cuarto estudio, se evaluó el uso del análisis integral de la huella dactilar por HPTLC como un método alternativo a la actual valoración de marcadores por HPLC en drogas vegetales de la medicina tradicional china (MTC) en la Ph. Eur. El objetivo de este proyecto era simplificar la determinación del contenido y, por lo tanto, reducir el número de pruebas a realizar durante el control de calidad. Para esta evaluación, dos drogas vegetales de la MTC fueron elegidas por los expertos del grupo de trabajo TCM de la Ph. Eur.: bulbo de Fritillaria thunbergii y rizoma coridalis. En ambos casos, se demostró que la huella digital completa de HPTLC era útil para la identificación y el ensayo de contenido mínimo en un solo análisis. El quinto estudio va un paso más allá en la determinación del contenido. Si bien los estudios anteriores se centraron en la cuantificación de marcadores individuales, este estudio tuvo como objetivo aplicar el análisis integral de la huella dactilar por HPTLC a la cuantificación de un grupo de componentes en una droga vegetal, como un ejemplo de una evaluación más holística de la calidad. Esta determinación se combinó con los ensayos de identidad y pureza. Para ilustrar este concepto, se eligió el carpóforo de Ganoderma lucidum. En este trabajo, se ha demostrado que la HPTLC es una técnica útil para el control de calidad rutinario de drogas y preparados vegetales y productos a base de plantas, y que se puede simplificar este proceso aplicando el concepto de análisis integral de la huella dactilar por HPTLC. Se ha elaborado una guía detallada (incluida en la tesis) sobre cómo desarrollar, validar y aplicar métodos de análisis integral de la huella dactilar por HPTLC para el control de calidad rutinario de productos a base de plantas

Calibration of DART Radiative Transfer Model with Satellite Images for Simulating Albedo and Thermal Irradiance Images and 3D Radiative Budget of Urban Environment

Remote sensing is increasingly used for managing urban environment. In this context, the H2020 project URBANFLUXES aims to improve our knowledge on urban anthropogenic heat fluxes, with the specific study of three cities: London, Basel and Heraklion. Usually, one expects to derive directly 2 major urban parameters from remote sensing: the albedo and thermal irradiance. However, the determination of these two parameters is seriously hampered by complexity of urban architecture. For example, urban reflectance and brightness temperature are far from isotropic and are spatially heterogeneous. Hence, radiative transfer models that consider the complexity of urban architecture when simulating remote sensing signals are essential tools. Even for these sophisticated models, there is a major constraint for an operational use of remote sensing: the complex 3D distribution of optical properties and temperatures in urban environments. Here, the work is conducted with the DART (Discrete Anisotropic Radiative Transfer) model. It is a comprehensive physically based 3D radiative transfer model that simulates optical signals at the entrance of imaging spectro-radiometers and LiDAR scanners on board of satellites and airplanes, as well as the 3D radiative budget, of urban and natural landscapes for any experimental (atmosphere, topography,…) and instrumental (sensor altitude, spatial resolution, UV to thermal infrared,…) configuration. Paul Sabatier University distributes free licenses for research activities. This paper presents the calibration of DART model with high spatial resolution satellite images (Landsat 8, Sentinel 2, etc.) that are acquired in the visible (VIS) / near infrared (NIR) domain and in the thermal infrared (TIR) domain. Here, the work is conducted with an atmospherically corrected Landsat 8 image and Bale city, with its urban database. The calibration approach in the VIS/IR domain encompasses 5 steps for computing the 2D distribution (image) of urban albedo at satellite spatial resolution. (1) DART simulation of satellite image at very high spatial resolution (e.g., 50cm) per satellite spectral band. Atmosphere conditions are specific to the satellite image acquisition. (2) Spatial resampling of DART image at the coarser spatial resolution of the available satellite image, per spectral band. (3) Iterative derivation of the urban surfaces (roofs, walls, streets, vegetation,…) optical properties as derived from pixel-wise comparison of DART and satellite images, independently per spectral band. (4) Computation of the band albedo image of the city, per spectral band. (5) Computation of the image of the city albedo and VIS/NIR exitance, as an integral over all satellite spectral bands. In order to get a time series of albedo and VIS/NIR exitance, even in the absence of satellite images, ECMWF information about local irradiance and atmosphere conditions are used. A similar approach is used for calculating the city thermal exitance using satellite images acquired in the thermal infrared domain. Finally, DART simulations that are conducted with the optical properties derived from remote sensing images give also the 3D radiative budget of the city at any date including the date of the satellite image acquisition

Assessing the role of EO in biodiversity monitoring: options for integrating in-situ observations with EO within the context of the EBONE concept

The European Biodiversity Observation Network (EBONE) is a European contribution on terrestrial monitoring to GEO BON, the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network. EBONE’s aims are to develop a system of biodiversity observation at regional, national and European levels by assessing existing approaches in terms of their validity and applicability starting in Europe, then expanding to regions in Africa. The objective of EBONE is to deliver: 1. A sound scientific basis for the production of statistical estimates of stock and change of key indicators; 2. The development of a system for estimating past changes and forecasting and testing policy options and management strategies for threatened ecosystems and species; 3. A proposal for a cost-effective biodiversity monitoring system. There is a consensus that Earth Observation (EO) has a role to play in monitoring biodiversity. With its capacity to observe detailed spatial patterns and variability across large areas at regular intervals, our instinct suggests that EO could deliver the type of spatial and temporal coverage that is beyond reach with in-situ efforts. Furthermore, when considering the emerging networks of in-situ observations, the prospect of enhancing the quality of the information whilst reducing cost through integration is compelling. This report gives a realistic assessment of the role of EO in biodiversity monitoring and the options for integrating in-situ observations with EO within the context of the EBONE concept (cfr. EBONE-ID1.4). The assessment is mainly based on a set of targeted pilot studies. Building on this assessment, the report then presents a series of recommendations on the best options for using EO in an effective, consistent and sustainable biodiversity monitoring scheme. The issues that we faced were many: 1. Integration can be interpreted in different ways. One possible interpretation is: the combined use of independent data sets to deliver a different but improved data set; another is: the use of one data set to complement another dataset. 2. The targeted improvement will vary with stakeholder group: some will seek for more efficiency, others for more reliable estimates (accuracy and/or precision); others for more detail in space and/or time or more of everything. 3. Integration requires a link between the datasets (EO and in-situ). The strength of the link between reflected electromagnetic radiation and the habitats and their biodiversity observed in-situ is function of many variables, for example: the spatial scale of the observations; timing of the observations; the adopted nomenclature for classification; the complexity of the landscape in terms of composition, spatial structure and the physical environment; the habitat and land cover types under consideration. 4. The type of the EO data available varies (function of e.g. budget, size and location of region, cloudiness, national and/or international investment in airborne campaigns or space technology) which determines its capability to deliver the required output. EO and in-situ could be combined in different ways, depending on the type of integration we wanted to achieve and the targeted improvement. We aimed for an improvement in accuracy (i.e. the reduction in error of our indicator estimate calculated for an environmental zone). Furthermore, EO would also provide the spatial patterns for correlated in-situ data. EBONE in its initial development, focused on three main indicators covering: (i) the extent and change of habitats of European interest in the context of a general habitat assessment; (ii) abundance and distribution of selected species (birds, butterflies and plants); and (iii) fragmentation of natural and semi-natural areas. For habitat extent, we decided that it did not matter how in-situ was integrated with EO as long as we could demonstrate that acceptable accuracies could be achieved and the precision could consistently be improved. The nomenclature used to map habitats in-situ was the General Habitat Classification. We considered the following options where the EO and in-situ play different roles: using in-situ samples to re-calibrate a habitat map independently derived from EO; improving the accuracy of in-situ sampled habitat statistics, by post-stratification with correlated EO data; and using in-situ samples to train the classification of EO data into habitat types where the EO data delivers full coverage or a larger number of samples. For some of the above cases we also considered the impact that the sampling strategy employed to deliver the samples would have on the accuracy and precision achieved. Restricted access to European wide species data prevented work on the indicator ‘abundance and distribution of species’. With respect to the indicator ‘fragmentation’, we investigated ways of delivering EO derived measures of habitat patterns that are meaningful to sampled in-situ observations

Feature Papers in Horticulturae

Several of the 17 papers in this volume represent diverse strategies for improving sustainability in crop production systems. The maintenance of soil quality and the reclamation of marginal soils, improving tolerance to saline irrigation water, biodegradable alternatives to black plastic mulch, use of natural plant extracts against bacterial disease, and development of cultivars resistant to herbivorous arthropods address urgent priorities in sustainable systems. Two papers examine the driving forces and effects of adopting innovative agricultural technologies in food value chains in underdeveloped regions of the world, and identification of new Asian vegetable crop species for European environments and markets. Three papers reported on managing fruit set and ripening in important fruit crop species like orange, apple, and plum. Postharvest techniques to reduce disease and maintain fruit nutraceutical content were reported in separate papers. Classification techniques, conservation and utilization of unique plant species, and in vitro propagation techniques of species with potential horticultural value were described in four papers

Nutritive Value, Polyphenolic Content, and Bioactive Constitution of Green, Red and Flowering Plants

Plants, including vegetables, are an essential element of the human diet, considering their dense nutritional content and bioactive content that could assist in boosting nutritional quality and food security. Plants are exhibiting a colossal rebound in the context of healthier lifestyles, especially as functional foods empowered with bioactive phytochemicals; they synthesize uncountable “ecochemicals” via secondary metabolism, which command medical and socioeconomic significance. Among these secondary metabolites, phenolic compounds are of prime interest and are largely present in medicinal plants, herbs, vegetables, and flowers. These metabolites are at the helm of the bitterness, color, and scent of plants, and are correlated to the beneficial health qualities expressed by the antioxidant capacity. The accretion of these health-promoting phytochemicals depends chiefly on the genetic material and the maturity stage at harvest, notwithstanding the main role that is played by preharvest factors, i.e., eustress, fertilization, irrigation, light, biostimulants, biofortification, and other agronomic practices. This Special Issue is a collection of 11 original research articles addressing the quality of seeds, microgreens, leafy vegetables, herbs, flowers, berries, fruits, and byproducts. Mainly preharvest factors were assessed regarding their effect on the qualitative aspects of the aforementioned plants