Relationship between physicochemical characteristics and gene expression in lettuce as a tool for genetic improvement

Alface ( Lactuca sativa L.) is a leafy vegetable worldwide consumed. It is found in its constitution vitamins and minerals, as well as bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids and anthocyanins. Since anthocyanins are responsible for the red color of the leaves and in the body prevents the appearance of non-communicable chronic diseases by the fight against free radicals. The lettuce for being present in the diet of the population becomes a promising plant for biofortification with the selection of plants with high levels of anthocyanins. The objective of the present work was to study the quantitative distribution of anthocyanin in leaves of lettuce plants of a segregating F2 population obtained from the initial crossing between two color contrasting parents (green and red).. The color, anthocyanin and flavonoid contents, as well as color correlation with anthocyanin content and the heritability of these characteristics. It was concluded that the anthocyanin content in leaves of lettuce is controlled by more than one gene with partial dominance of the genes that confer higher levels. Intense red coloration can be used as an alternative in lettuce breeding programs to identify superior lettuce genotypes with high anthocyanin content. Transgressive segregation as well as the higher heritability values observed in the studied traits will allow selecting in segregating generations, superior genotypes in accordance with the proposed objectives.Alface ( Lactuca sativa L.) is a leafy vegetable worldwide consumed. It is found in its constitution vitamins and minerals, as well as bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids and anthocyanins. Since anthocyanins are responsible for the red color of the leaves and in the body prevents the appearance of non-communicable chronic diseases by the fight against free radicals. The lettuce for being present in the diet of the population becomes a promising plant for biofortification with the selection of plants with high levels of anthocyanins. The objective of the present work was to study the quantitative distribution of anthocyanin in leaves of lettuce plants of a segregating F2 population obtained from the initial crossing between two color contrasting parents (green and red).. The color, anthocyanin and flavonoid contents, as well as color correlation with anthocyanin content and the heritability of these characteristics. It was concluded that the anthocyanin content in leaves of lettuce is controlled by more than one gene with partial dominance of the genes that confer higher levels. Intense red coloration can be used as an alternative in lettuce breeding programs to identify superior lettuce genotypes with high anthocyanin content. Transgressive segregation as well as the higher heritability values observed in the studied traits will allow selecting in segregating generations, superior genotypes in accordance with the proposed objectives

Adubos orgânicos no cultivo e nutrição mineral de tomateiroMineral nutrition of tomato plants grown under organic compound

A aplicação indiscriminada de cama de frango ao solo é um dos principais fatores que podem transformar o fertilizante orgânico em poluente do solo, das águas e da atmosfera, além de causar toxidez às plantas. Esta pesquisa objetivou estudar a ação de oito tipos de compostos orgânicos produzidos com diferentes porcentagens de cama de frango e cana de açúcar triturada sobre a nutrição do tomateiro. A pesquisa no campo foi conduzida em blocos casualizados em arranjo fatorial dois por oito [duas cultivares de tomate (Santa Clara e Híbrido F1 Verano) e oito tipos de compostos orgânicos denominados Bokashi Alternativo (BA)], com três repetições. Avaliou-se macro e micronutrientes nas folhas das cultivares de tomateiro. Concluiu-se que os tipos de BA, com exceção de BA1 (sem cama de frango na sua composição), produziram efeitos adequados para a nutrição mineral do tomateiro.Abstract Indiscriminate application of poultry litter to the ground is one of the causes that can turn organic fertilizer polluting the soil, water and air as well as toxic to the plants. This study aimed to measure the effect of eight kinds of fertilizer of organic origin, produced through composting of different percentages of poultry litter and sugarcane tritured on the nutrition of tomato. The research was developed at EPAMIG / URECO - Santa Rita Experimental field in Prudente de Morais, MG. In the field the study was conducted in a randomized block in factorial arrangement 2 x 8 [two cultivars of tomato (Santa Clara and Verano F1) and 8 types of organic compounds called Bokashi Alternative (BA)], with three replications. It was evaluated macro and micronutrients in the leaves of tomato cultivars . It was concluded that the types of BA , except BA1 (without poultry litter in its composition) produced adequate effects for the mineral nutrition of tomato

QUALIDADE DE MAMÃO ‘GOLDEN’ MINIMAMENTE PROCESSADO ARMAZENADO EM DIFERENTES TEMPERATURAS

This research studied the effect of storage temperature on the preservation of fresh-cut papaya. The papaya, previously cooled to a temperature of 6 ºC, were selected, washed, sanitized, cuted in cubs, rinsed, and stored in plastic packaging of low density polyethylene rigid, and then stored at 5 and 10 ºC for 8 days. The following aspects were evaluated: pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, vitamin C and microbiological in the fresh-cut papaya. The experimental design was completely randomized, with three repetitions. The titratable acidity was lower with the highest temperature. The analysis for the vitamin C and pH, did not presented significant variation between the temperatures and days of storage The total soluble solids content did not vary between treatments, and hygienic care adopted during processing allowed to obtain low microbial counting products, in chunks stored at 5 oC after 8 days. These results allow to indicate  papaya for fresh-cuts production, in chunk form, with refrigerated conservation (5 oC) for 8 day periods.Neste trabalho, foi estudado o efeito da temperatura de armazenagem na conservação de mamão minimamente processado. Os mamões, previamente resfriados à temperatura de 6 ºC, foram submetidos à seleção, lavagem, sanitização, corte em cubos, enxágüe, e acondicionamento em embalagens plásticas de polietileno de baixa densidade rígido e armazenados em câmaras frias nas temperaturas de 5 e 10 ºC por 8 dias. Avaliou-se pH, acidez titulável, sólidos solúveis totais, vitamina C e contaminações microbiológicas no mamão minimamente processado. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições. A acidez titulável foi menor com a maior temperatura. As análise de vitamina C e pH não apresentaram diferença significativa entre as temperaturas de armazenamento. Os teores de sólidos solúveis não variaram entre os tratamentos, e os cuidados higiênicos adotados durante o processamento permitiram a obtenção de produtos com baixa contagem microbiana, no produto armazenado a 5 °C após 8 dias. Estes resultados permitem indicar o mamão para a produção de produtos minimamente processados, na forma de pedaços, com conservação a 5 oC por um período de 8 dias

Compostos fenólicos, carotenoides e atividade antioxidante em híbrido de milho superdoce

The objective of this work was to determine the total carotenoids, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity of 'UENF SD 08' (super-sweet corn) and to compare them with those of 'UENF50611' (field corn). The total carotenoid content was determined according to Rodriguez-Amaya, the total phenolic content by the Folin-Ciocalteau method, and the antioxidant activity by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging method. For 'UENF SD 08', the average values were: 936.76±16.34 µg 100 g-1 for carotenoids, 346.0±3.80 mg 100 g-1 for phenolics, and 45.53±0.01% for antioxidant activity. For UENF50611, the average values were: 1,173.38±21.66 µg 100 g-1 for carotenoids, 563.33±7.97 mg 100 g-1 for phenolics, and 59.82±0.11% for antioxidant activity. UENF50611 showed a higher antioxidant activity observed due to its higher levels of carotenoids and phenolic compounds; however, the values observed for the 'UENF SD 08' super-sweet corn are within the ranges already described in the literature. 'UENF SD 08' contains a lower concentration of carotenoids and phenolic compounds than 'UENF50611', its nonmutant genetic background. However, the super-sweet corn 'UENF SD 08' has agronomic advantages, is considered a source of the evaluated secondary metabolites, and its consumption can contribute to a diet with a higher content of antioxidants.O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os carotenoides totais, os fenólicos totais e a atividade antioxidante de 'UENF SD 08' (milho superdoce) e compará-los com os de 'UENF50611' (milho comum). O conteúdo de carotenoides totais foi determinado de acordo com Rodriguez-Amaya, o de fenólicos totais pelo método de Folin-Ciocalteau e a atividade antioxidante pelo método de sequestro de radicais livres de 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidrazila (DPPH). Para 'UENF SD 08', os valores médios foram: 936,76±16,34 µg 100 g-1 para carotenoides, 346,0±3,80 mg 100 g-1 para fenólicos e 45,53±0,01% para atividade antioxidante. Para 'UENF50611', os valores médios foram: 1.173,38±21,66 µg 100 g-1 para carotenoides, 563,33±7,97 mg 100 g-1 para fenólicos e 59,82±0,11 para atividade antioxidante. O milho 'UENF50611' apresentou maior atividade antioxidante devido aos seus maiores teores de carotenoides e compostos fenólicos; porém, os valores observados para o milho superdoce 'UENF SD 08' estão dentro das faixas já descritas na literatura. 'UENF SD 08' contém menor concentração de carotenoides e compostos fenólicos que 'UENF50611', seu background genético não mutante. Contudo, o milho superdoce apresenta vantagens agronômicas, é considerado fonte dos metabólitos secundários avaliados e seu consumo pode contribuir para dieta com teor mais elevado de antioxidantes

ANTIOXIDANT PROFILE OF CANADA LETTUCE (LACTUCA CANADENSIS) AND MADEIRA VINE (ANREDERA CORDIFOLIA) MINIMALLY PROCESSED

This study aimed to evaluate the stability of natural antioxidants in minimally processed Anredera cordifolia and Lactuca canadensis and their physical-chemical and antioxidant characteristics at time zero of storage (T0) and after 3, 6, 9 and 12 days, at temperature of 7 °C. For the attribute color, L. canadensis did not show significant differences between the parameters, whereas A. cordifolia showed variation in its lightness from the third day of storage. Both vegetables had significant increments of pH, which ranged from 5.77 to 6.16 in A. cordifolia and from 6.23 to 6.43 in L. canadensis. The contents of soluble solids also increased significantly, from 2.28 to 4.17 °Brix and from 4.89 to 6.30 °Brix in A. cordifolia and L. canadensis, respectively. No significant difference was observed in total titratable acidity at any of the times evaluated (p>0.05). Among the bioactive compounds of the minimally processed vegetables, the contents of carotenoids, tannins and total phenolic compounds were affected by storage, demonstrating that this process has influence on the concentrations of the natural antioxidants studied.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a estabilidade de antioxidantes naturais em bertalha e almeirão-de-árvore minimamente processados, bem como suas características físico-químicas, no ato do armazenamento (T0) e após 3, 6, 9 e 12 dias, na temperatura de 7 °C. Em relação ao atributo cor, o almeirão não apresentou diferença significativa entre os parâmetros, já a bertalha, a partir do terceiro dia de armazenamento, demostrou variação em sua luminosidade. As duas hortaliças apresentaram aumentos significativos de pH, variando de 5.77 a 6.16 para a bertalha e de 6.23 a 6.43 para o almeirão. Os teores de sólidos solúveis também aumentaram significativamente, 2.28 a 4.17 °Brix e de 4.89 a 6.30 °Brix para bertalha e almeirão, respectivamente. Já a acidez total titulável não apresentou diferença significativa para nenhum dos tempos avaliados (p>0.05). Dentre os compostos bioativos das hortaliças minimamente processadas, os carotenoides, taninos e compostos fenólicos totais sofreram interferência do armazenamento sobre o seu conteúdo, demonstrando haver influência desse processo sobre as concentrações dos antioxidantes naturais estudados

Profile of phytochemistry and antioxidant activity of sorrel in function of organic fertilization and density of plantio

The revival of non-conventional edible plants enables important gains in nutritional, social, cultural, economic, and environmental points of view. Among them, sorrel — Rumex acetosa L. — has been deemed pleasant by consumers due to its acid taste. As we do not have a lot of phytotechnical and nutritional information about this plant, the objective was to assess the influence of different spacing sets and cattle manure dosages on their physical-chemical characteristics and bioactive compounds content with antioxidant action. Randomized blocks with four repetitions was chosen as experimental design, using a scheme of subdivided plots, with five dosages of weather-beaten cattle manure in the plots and two sets of spacing in the subplots. Data was submitted to a variance analysis with two factors (two-way ANOVA). It was not verified any significant effect (P>0.05) in the interaction Dosage x Spacing. Fertilization dosages and spacing sets did not have any effect on color and total soluble solids average contents, humidity, titratable acidity, and phenolic compounds. Increasing dosages of organic fertilizer, up to 75 kg ha-1, reduced the plant’s pH; above that amount, pH rose. Presence of anthocyanins and vitamin C was not detected. The total carotenoids average content was not influenced by the manure factor, and the plant presented greater total carotenoids content in the smallest spacing. Antioxidant activity [1.0 mg mL-1], although inferior to the standards that were used (BHT, vitamin C and quercetin), was quite representative. A conclusion was reached that fertilizing with weather-beaten cattle manure had an effect only on pH, and cropping spacing had an influence only on carotenoids content. Other phytochemicals and physical-chemical characteristics were not influenced in sorrel plants with different levels of fertilization and sets of spacing

NOVEL ALKALOID FROM Rauvolfia capixabae(APOCYNACEAE)

A new sarpagine-type alkaloid, Na-methylrauflorine (1), was isolated from Rauvolfia capixabaetogether with isoreserpiline (2),Nb-oxide-isoreserpiline (3), ajmalicine (4), perakine (5) and vinorine (6) alkaloids. These compounds were characterized based on their spectral data basis, mainly one- (1H, 13C, APT) and two-dimensional(1H-1H-COSY, 1H-1H-NOESY, HMQC and HMBC) NMR, and mass spectra, also involving comparison with data from the literature

PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PURPLE LETTUCE HARVESTED AT DIFFERENT AGES

Lettuce is one of the most produced and consumed leafy vegetables in Brazil. It is harvested when the plant reaches full vegetative growth and the leaves are still tender and there are no signs of bolting. The plant is unsuitable for commercialization after this period, thus, a food that is rich in vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds such as carotenoid is lost. Therefore, the objective of this work was to assess the purple lettuce quality based on physical-chemical characteristics, in three different ages. The experiment was conducted in an urban community garden in Sete Lagoas MG, Brazil. A completely randomized experimental design was used with three replications. The treatments consisted of three development stages (20, 30 and 40 days after transplanting - DAT). The treatment with 40 DAT presented total carotenoids concentration and soluble solids content significantly higher, lower pH, and darker lettuce, with lower values of the parameter b* (increase in yellow color), and higher values of the parameter a* (increase in red color), compared to the first two treatments. The titratable acidity was statistically equal for the three evaluation periods. Considering the high concentration of carotenoids found at 40 DAT, the harvest can take place at this age