Assessing the effects of Bt maize on the non-target pest Rhopalosiphum maidis by demographic and life-history measurement endpoints

The most commercialized Bt maize plants in Europe were transformed with genes which express a truncated form of the insecticidal delta-endotoxin (Cry1Ab) from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) specifically against Lepidoptera. Studies on the effect of transgenic maize on non-target arthropods have mainly converged on beneficial insects. However, considering the worldwide extensive cultivation of Bt maize, an increased availability of information on their possible impact on non-target pests is also required. In this study, the impact of Bt-maize on the non-target corn leaf aphid, Rhopalosiphum maidis, was examined by comparing biological traits and demographic parameters of two generations of aphids reared on transgenic maize with those on untransformed near-isogenic plants. Furthermore, free and bound phenolics content on transgenic and near-isogenic plants were measured. Here we show an increased performance of the second generation of R. maidis on Bt-maize that could be attributable to indirect effects, such as the reduction of defense against pests due to unintended changes in plant characteristics caused by the insertion of the transgene. Indeed, the comparison of Bt-maize with its corresponding near-isogenic line strongly suggests that the transformation could have induced adverse effects on the biosynthesis and accumulation of free phenolic compounds. In conclusion, even though there is adequate evidence that aphids performed better on Bt-maize than on non-Bt plants, aphid economic damage has not been reported in commercial Bt corn fields in comparison to non-Bt corn fields. Nevertheless, Bt-maize plants can be more easily exploited by R. maidis, possibly due to a lower level of secondary metabolites present in their leaves. The recognition of this mechanism increases our knowledge concerning how insect-resistant genetically modified plants impact on non-target arthropods communities, including tritrophic web interactions, and can help support a sustainable use of genetically modified crops

Agronomic, nutritional and nutraceutical aspects of durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.) cultivars under low input agricultural management

Among cereals, durum wheat has a central role in the Italian diet and economy, where there is a historical tradition of pasta making. In the present study, we evaluated the nutrient and nutraceutical properties of 2 old and 6 modern durum wheat varieties grown under low input agricultural management. Considering the lack of available data on the adaptability of existing durum wheat varieties to the low input and organic sectors, the research aimed at providing a complete description of the investigated genotypes, considering the agronomic performance as well as the nutrient and phytochemical composition. The experimental trials were carried out at the same location (Bologna, Northern Italy) for two consecutive growing seasons (2006/2007, 2007/2008). No clear distinction between old and modern varieties was observed in terms of grain yield (mean values ranging from 2.5 to 4.0 t/ha), highlighting that the divergence in productivity, normally found between dwarf and non-dwarf genotypes, is strongly reduced when they are cropped under low input management. All durum wheat varieties presented high protein levels and, in addition, provided remarkable amounts of phytochemicals such as dietary fibre, polyphenols, flavonoids and carotenoids. Some of the investigated genotypes, such as Senatore Cappelli, Solex, Svevo and Orobel, emerged with intriguing nutritional and phytochemical profiles, with the highest levels of dietary fibre and antioxidant compounds. The study provided the basis for further investigations into the adaptability of the durum wheat genotypes to low input management, for the selection of genotypes characterised by higher yield and valuable nutrient and nutraceutical quality

Ultra high diluted arsenic reduces spore germination of Alternaria brassicicola and dark leaf spot in cauliflower

ABSTRACT A major problem in cauliflower crop is the fungus Alternaria brassicicola, which causes dark leaf spot on Brassicaceae family. The current use of copper salts in agriculture is questioned. In fact, these products present some disadvantages, connected mainly with their deposits in the soil and toxicity on plants. This work investigated the effects of arsenic treatments, in ultra high diluted form (UHD), prepared by a process of repeated dilution and succussion (shaking), through: 1) in vitro germination experiments, where spores of A. brassicicola were suspended in the treatments; 2) in planta experiments and 3) a field trial, where cauliflower plants infected by the fungus were sprayed with treatments. The results showed that ultra high dilutions of arsenic (where no more molecules of this substance are present) were effective in all the experiments, inhibiting spore germination by 60.0%, controlling fungal disease in in planta experiments (relative efficacy of 42.1%), and, in field trial, decreasing the mean infection level in cauliflower heads by 45.7% and 41.6% in artificially inoculated and naturally infected plants, respectively. This is the first study to demonstrate that ultra high dilutions effectively reduce in vitro spore germination and infection of A. brassicicola in cauliflower plants, both under controlled conditions and in the field. Our research is still very experimental, however, in light of the significant results obtained with ultra-diluted arsenic, and given that its extreme high dilution level precludes any toxicity or accumulation in the environment, the use of UHDs could be considered a potential and reliable approach for sustainable agriculture

Nutritional characterization of Italian common bean landraces (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): Fatty acid profiles for "genotype-niche diversity" fingerprints

Major problems facing common bean production in the European Union include the significant and consistent decrease in legume consumption and the potential risk to local landraces by commercial cultivars. With the need to both increase local Phaseolus vulgaris L. ecotype production and to expand studies on potential genetic diversity impacts on nutritional components, the aim was to investigate a range of nutritional constituents in the Italian landraces, "Zolfino del Pratomagno" (Tuscany), "Fagiolo di Sarconi" (Basilicata) and "Fagiolo di Lamon (Veneto). Zolfino landraces were distinctive for significantly higher levels of amino acids, G2 protein fraction (lectin), ash, as well as total lipid and Monounsaturated Fatty Acid (MUFA) content, with Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) depicting a divergence of Zolfino from the Sarconi and Lamon landraces, respectively. Fatty acid profiles were distinctive for landrace. An equivalent ratio of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) to MUFA was evident for Zolfino. LDA showed distinctive, separate cluster groupings for the landraces, with Zolfino differentiated by the combined increased levels of oleic and palmitoleic acids, and the presence of heptadecanoic acid. The Sarconi landraces were characterized by the combined higher palmitic and linolenic acids and the absence of both myristic and tridecanoic acids, whereas the Lamon landraces were characterized by combination of higher linolenic acid, lower palmitic acid and the presence of both myristic and tridecanoic acids. The potential of expanding studies to include fatty acid profiles as possible sources of "genotype-niche diversity" fingerprints for common bean is shown to be feasible

Photooxidation of hydrocarbons on porphyrin-podified titanium dioxide powders

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Effects of homeopathic treatments on strawberry plants in field

none6noneGrazia Trebbi; Giovanni Dinelli; Ilaria Marotti; Valeria Bregola; Alessandro Benni; Lucietta BettiGrazia Trebbi; Giovanni Dinelli; Ilaria Marotti; Valeria Bregola; Alessandro Benni; Lucietta Bett

A Sedimentation FFF study to monitor bio-interactions on surface-modified PS micro-spheres.

Sedimentation Field Flow Fractionation (SdFFF) is a well established elution technique, which has been successfully applied for the separation and the size characterization of a broad range of natural and synthetic colloidal particles of environmental, industrial, pharmaceutical and biological interest. Differential SdFFF can precisely evaluate surface concentrations of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) adsorbed to polystyrene latex. The adsorption occurs without altering the IgG reactivity, as proven by the reaction with its specific anti-human IgGs. This type of immune complex, which used for assessment of a patient’s level of immune response to a particular antigen, has been detected by SdFFF by measuring the variations in the coated PS buoyancy mass. Among with all allergic diseases, food allergy is a growing issue, which deserves the attention of always more researchers and Institutions in developed and developing countries. Although food normally doesn't provoke a response from the human immune system, in allergenic patients the hypersensivity reactions are triggered by the IgE recognition of specific sequences (epitopes) present in the allergenic proteins. Peach allergy is the most common form of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to fresh fruits in the Mediterranean area, as well as in the USA. Several are the allergens from peach, but the major is an allergen belonging to the family of lipid-transfer proteins (LTP). The aim of this study was to use the SdFFF technique as an high-resolution technique to detect the interaction between the IgE produced by the human body in consequence of an allergic food reaction due to the ingestion of peaches and specific anti human IgEs. Preliminary tests done by using IgG, IgA and anti-IgA have proven the specificity of the surface immuno-reaction, while corollary experiments have been made to individuate good fractionation conditions

Biotransformation of common bean and wheat flavonoid glycosides by Lactic Acid Bacteria

The human gut is populated by an array of bacterial species, which develop important metabolic functions, with a marked effect on the nutritional and health status of the host. A relevant health aspect regards the interaction between nutrients introduced with the diet and beneficial gut microrganisms, in particular Bidifobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. Flavonoids are biologically active polyphenols present in legumes and cereals with high antioxidant properties and demonstrated role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Flavonoids are mainly present in foods as O-glycosides, whereas the biological activity is generally ascribed to the aglyconic moiety. Generally, intestinal enzymes do not possess the -glycosidase activity able to hydrolyze the bond between the sugar moiety and the bioactive compound thus avoiding its uptake and subsequent health benefits. However, for some human intestinal Bifidobacterium species -glycosidase activity on bean flavonoids has been described (Marotti et al. 2007). The aim of the present research is to extend the monitoring of -glycosidase activity to lactic acid bacteria (LAB) commonly used in food biotechnology and to evaluate their capability of metabolizing bean and wheat flavonoids. Fifteen strains of LAB, belonging to the species: L. fermentum, L. buchneri, L. fructivorans, L. helveticus , L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. kefiri, L. jugurti, L. lactis, L. bulgaricus, have been included in this research . The maximal -glycosidase activity was observed for strains belonging to the species L. buchneri, L. acidophilus and L. plantarum. Further studies are in progress aimed at evaluating the capability of the selected strains of metabolizing typical legume and wheat glycosilated flavonoids. Moreover, the capability of these strains of metabolizing the flavonoids present both in common bean seed and seedling extracts and wheat fiber extracts will be assayed. The research will also include some C-glycosilated flavonoids typically present in these plant sources and particular recalcitrant to hydrolysis. The strains showing the highest activity are potential good candidates for developing functional foods. Marotti et al. 2007 J Agric Food Chem. 55: 3913-3919

Fattori agroambientali e qualità delle piante officinali

Il termine piante officinali definisce un ampio gruppo di specie vegetali utilizzate, in passato, nelle officine farmaceutiche ma, in una accezione più ampia, include anche le piante per uso aromatico, cosmetico, colorante, biocida ed agrofunzionale. Questa categoria di piante ha avuto un grande interesse economico che si è perso, nel tempo, con l’evoluzione della chimica in grado di produrre, per via sintetica, quasi tutti “i principi attivi officinali”. L’odierna crescente richiesta di prodotti naturali, in grado di fornire effetti complessi che le molecole di sintesi non sempre assicurano, ha riaperto l’interesse per le piante officinali motivando la preparazione di un nuovo libro: Produzione ed impiego delle piante officinali. Quest’opera, frutto della collaborazione di un gruppo di specialisti, di seguito elencati, tratta, oltre che gli aspetti agronomici di un buon numero di specie anche il metabolismo, l’utilizzo, l’espressione dei principi attivi, gli aspetti economici e legislativi ed i processi post-raccolta delle piante officinali. Questo volume sostituisce quello di Catizone, Marotti, Toderi, Tétény stampato da Patron nel 1986: Coltivazione delle piante medicinali e aromatiche che, per un quarto di secolo, è stato un punto di riferimento per studenti ed operatori del settore. L’opera vuole fornire la cornice generale ove inquadrare la conoscenza professionale atta al consiglio terapeutico e all’uso delle piante officinali. Le molecole indicate costituiscono la base di conoscenza scientifica per il loro inserimento terapeutico in alcune patologie conclamate e nella medicina preventiva. Le molecole vegetali inserite nei loro naturali fitocomplessi possono realizzare, con l’aiuto del medico, una primaria azione coadiuvante la terapia farmacologica. Le piante officinali, ma anche le piante con i loro frutti ad uso alimentare, danno un valore superiore alla singola molecola che viene attivata e potenziata, nei suoi effetti, da altre molecole in esse contenute. In un tempo, come il nostro, in cui domina la medicina sintomatologica, per ogni segno e sintomo clinico è disponibile uno specifico farmaco, la conoscenza della complessità e specificità delle molecole contenute nelle piante officinali, apre nuove strade per “curare” le cause delle patologie umane ed animali