Nuevos datos sobre poblaciones silvestres de Brassica oleracea ensu límite de distribución occidental en la Península Ibérica

An exploration and collection mission for wild Brassica oleracea populations was carried out in spring and summer of2013. The aim of this collection was to expand the number of accessions of wild Brassica oleraceaavailable for basic andapplied research in plant breeding. In this paper we report a new population of wild Brassica oleraceain an unexploredcoastal area of Galicia, NW Iberian Peninsula. Details of population ecology and vegetation, soil, climate and geographicdata were recorded for this population. The “Endangered” threat category for the region is proposed, and actions for in situand ex situconservation are proposed. Seeds will be added to the germplasm collections of University of Santiago deCompostela and Misión Biológica de Galicia (CSIC) for further research on diverse aspects of the dynamics and ecophy-siology of the population along with characterization and evaluation of useful traits.En la primavera y el verano de 2013 se llevó a cabo un estudio que incluía la exploración y recolección de poblacionessilvestres de Brassica oleracea. El objetivo de esta colección era ampliar el número de muestras de germoplasma de estaespecie disponibles para la investigación básica y aplicada al fitomejoramiento. En este trabajo se presentan nuevos datossobre poblaciones de Brassica oleraceasilvestre en un área costera inexplorada de Galicia, en el noroeste de la PenínsulaIbérica. Detalles de la ecología de la población y la vegetación, el suelo, el clima y los datos geográficos se registraron paraesta población. Se propone la categoría de amenaza para la región, y las acciones para su correcta conservación in situ y exsitu. Las muestras de semillas se añadirán a las colecciones de germoplasma de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostelay de la Misión Biológica de Galicia (CSIC) para futuras investigaciones sobre diversos aspectos de la dinámica y la ecofi-siología de la población junto con la caracterización y evaluación de características útiles.S

Sensory quality of turnip greens and turnip tops grown in northwestern Spain

In Galicia (northwestern Spain), Brassica rapa var. rapa L. includes turnip greens and turnip tops as vegetable products. They are characterized by a particular sulfurous aroma, pungent flavor, and a bitter taste. In this work twelve local varieties grown as turnip greens and turnip tops were evaluated to define the sensory attributes, to relate them with secondary metabolites, and to select those sensorial traits that better describe these crops. Results showed differences in the sensory profiles of B. rapa varieties. Turnip greens were significantly differed for aroma intensity, leaf color, and salty taste, while turnip tops were for color and firmness of leaves, moistness and fibrosity in mouth, sharpness, and bitter taste. Secondary metabolites as glucosinolates in turnip greens and phenolic compounds in turnip tops were highly correlated with texture and flavor. Glucosinolates especially progoitrin (in turnip greens) and gluconapin (in turnip tops) showed correlation with bitter taste and aftertaste persistence. Correlation between sensory traits showed highest values between leaf firmness and stalk firmness (0.94**), leaf firmness and fibrosity (R=0.92**), aftertaste persistence and bitterness (R=0.91**) and between bitterness and moistness (R=-0.89**).Research supported by the Xunta de Galicia (PGIDIT06RAG40302PR) and Excma. Diputación Provincial de Pontevedra.Peer reviewe

Effects of Brassicaceae Isothiocyanates on Prostate Cancer

Despite the major progress made in the field of cancer biology, cancer is still one of the leading causes of mortality, and prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most encountered malignancies among men. The effective management of this disease requires developing better anticancer agents with greater efficacy and fewer side effects. Nature is a large source for the development of chemotherapeutic agents, with more than 50% of current anticancer drugs being of natural origin. Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are degradation products from glucosinolates that are present in members of the family Brassicaceae. Although they are known for a variety of therapeutic effects, including antioxidant, immunostimulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties, nowadays, cell line and animal studies have additionally indicated the chemopreventive action without causing toxic side effects of ITCs. In this way, they can induce cell cycle arrest, activate apoptosis pathways, increase the sensitivity of resistant PCa to available chemodrugs, modulate epigenetic changes and downregulate activated signaling pathways, resulting in the inhibition of cell proliferation, progression and invasion-metastasis. The present review summarizes the chemopreventive role of ITCs with a particular emphasis on specific molecular targets and epigenetic alterations in in vitro and in vivo cancer animal modelsThis work was supported by the Spanish National Plan for Research and Development (AGL2012-35539) and financed by the European Regional Development Funds (FEDER)S

Analysis of the Acid Detergent Fibre Content in Turnip Greens and Turnip Tops (Brassica rapa L. Subsp. rapa) by Means of Near-Infrared Reflectance

Standard wet chemistry analytical techniques currently used to determine plant fibre constituents are costly, time-consuming and destructive. In this paper the potential of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to analyse the contents of acid detergent fibre (ADF) in turnip greens and turnip tops has been assessed. Three calibration equations were developed: in the equation without mathematical treatment the coefficient of determination (R2) was 0.91, in the first-derivative treatment equation R2 = 0.95 and in the second-derivative treatment R2 = 0.96. The estimation accuracy was based on RPD (the ratio between the standard deviation and the standard error of validation) and RER (the ratio between the range of ADF of the validation as a whole and the standard error of prediction) of the external validation. RPD and RER values were of 2.75 and 9.00 for the treatment without derivative, 3.41 and 11.79 with first-derivative, and 3.10 and 11.03 with second-derivative. With the acid detergent residue spectrum the wavelengths were identified and associated with the ADF contained in the sample. The results showed a great potential of NIRS for predicting ADF content in turnip greens and turnip tops

Advances in Breeding in Vegetable <em>Brassica rapa</em> Crops

Brassica rapa includes oil and vegetable crops having a variety of forms, such as oilseeds, leafy vegetables and turnips. Leafy types, which are called turnip greens and turnip tops, are popular crops in NW Spain, and they represent an important part of the diet. However, their cultivation is limited in southern areas or in the Mediterranean basin, probably due to a lack of adaptation. Still, they could occupy a prominent place in the Mediterranean diet, which is based on a high consumption of fruits and vegetables. In this review, we summarize the studies on the agronomical and nutritional value of these crops when grown under Mediterranean climate conditions. Data reported here might be useful for a deeper understanding of these crops for both nutritional quality and bioaccessibility, and for selecting varieties adapted to the two abovementioned Mediterranean conditions, as well as for organic farming systems, thus contributing to the diversification of traditional Brassica vegetable production systems

El cambio climático en el bachillerato : aportes pedagógicos para su abordaje

Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad del Gobierno de España, en el marco del VI Programa Nacional 2016-18La investigación presentada tiene como propósito conocer elementos de las representaciones sociales (RS) sobre cambio climático (CC) en estudiantes de bachillerato general y tecnológico del estado de Veracruz, y formular aportaciones pedagógicas orientadas a promover acciones ecociudadanas en estudiantes de este nivel. Se ha realizado una investigación cuantitativa con una muestra de 858 estudiantes, a través de un cuestionario demoscópico conformado por 43 preguntas cerradas. La hipótesis de investigación es: si no existe diferencia significativa entre las RS sobre CC en los dos grupos de estudio, cabe pensar que es la cultura común la que configura en mayor medida dicha RS. Los resultados muestran que este colectivo construye una RS del CC limitada a su dimensión biofísica con presencia de conceptos difusos, sin identificarse diferencias significativas entre las RS de los grupos.This research aims to know the elements of the social representations (SR) on climate change (CC) in students of general (BG) and technological (BT) high school of the state of Veracruz, and make pedagogical contributions oriented to promote eco-citizen actions in students of this level. A quantitative investigation was carried out with a sample of 858 students, through a demographic questionnaire of 43 closed questions. The research hypothesis is: if there is no significant difference between the SRs on CC in the two study groups, it is possible to think that it is the common culture that configures this SR to a greater extent. The results show that this group builds a SR of the CC limited to its biophysical dimension with the presence of diffuse concepts, without identifying significant differences between the SRs of the groups

Plant Genebanks Present situation and proposals for their improvement. The case of the Spanish Network

Genebanks were created by the middle of the twentieth century to preserve cultivated biodiversity when landraces began to be substituted by modern varieties. This move was generally accepted as a necessary step to safeguard the future. After about 75 years of collecting and maintaining genetic resources, the increasing ability of biotechnology to create new variability brings the roles of genebanks in the present and near future into question. As a continuation of several workshops that started in 2014, staff of some representative genebanks have met to discuss how the Spanish Plant Genetic Resources Network can be improved, identifying the following major shortcomings: lack of efficient coordination in the distribution of species among genebanks; too many genebanks; existence of detected and undetected duplicates; insufficient rate of regeneration; insufficient phenotyping, genotyping, and epiphenotyping; unsatisfactory rate of use by end users; and, insufficient funding. As a considerable increase in public funding is unlikely, we propose some strategies to increase the efficiency of the system. The most urgent tasks are to strengthen the rationalization of the network by establishing a clear hierarchy and functions, to improve the information in the base collection by deep characterization including not only phenotypes but also uses and utilities, to progressively replace the active collections with focused core collections constructed to meet users’ needs, to optimize regeneration protocols, to limit new collecting expeditions of Spanish crop wild relatives to those growing in threatened habitats, and to develop user-friendly platforms to access germplasm documentation, including a unified system of descriptors and classification categories. Current advances in biotechnology, and especially those in gene editing will have without doubt an impact on the role of genebanks. However, the high number of genes and gene combinations created by evolution they hold cannot be produced by these techniques at present. So, these reservoirs of variability will continue to be indispensable for the near-medium future while the function of all the genes is unveiled. In turn, biotechnologies and gene editing will allow us to take advantage of the information held in genebanks in a more efficient and fast way, contributing to a better rationalization and functioning

Jornadas de Colaboración de Iniciativas Estratégicas (PTIs y Conexiones)

Datos técnicos: 315 minutos, color, español. Ficha técnica: Gabinete de Presidencia CSIC y Departamento de Comunicación. Emitido en directo el 14 feb 2023El próximo martes 14 de febrero, de 9:30 a 14:15 la Vicepresidencia de Investigación Científica y Técnica, organiza una Jornada en la que se buscará potenciar las colaboraciones científicas del CSIC mediante iniciativas estratégicas: las Plataformas Temáticas Interdisciplinares (PTIs) y las Conexiones.CSIC, así como poner en valor el trabajo realizado por todos los investigadores que forman parte de estas estructuras. Contará con la participación de la Presidenta del CSIC, Eloísa del Pino, representantes de las Vicepresidencias, los coordinadores científicos de las iniciativas y otros socios y colaboradores externos. Como parte de la Jornada se celebrarán tres mesas redondas en las que empresas, administraciones públicas y fundaciones compartirán sus historias de éxito alcanzadas mediante la colaboración con PTIs y Conexiones.Peer reviewe

Seed Oil Quality of Brassica napus and Brassica rapa Germplasm from Northwestern Spain

The seed oil content and the fatty acid composition of a germplasm collection of Brassica napus and Brassica rapa currently grown in Galicia (northwestern Spain) were evaluated in order to identify potentially interesting genotypes and to assess their suitability as oilseed crops for either edible or industrial purposes. The seeds of the B. rapa landraces had higher oil content (mean 47.3%) than those of B. napus (mean 42.8%). The landraces of both species showed a similar fatty acid profile (12% oleic acid, 13% linoleic acid, 8&ndash;9% linolenic acid, 8&ndash;9% eicosenoic acid, and 50&ndash;51% erucic acid). They were very high in erucic acid content, which is nutritionally undesirable in a vegetable oil, and very low in oleic and linoleic acid contents. Therefore, they could be used for industrial purposes but not as edible oil. The erucic acid content ranged from 42% to 54% of the total fatty acid composition with an average value of 50% in the B. napus landraces whereas in B. rapa, it ranged from 43% to 57%, with an average value of 51%. Considering the seed oil and the erucic acid content together, three varieties within the B. napus collection and two varieties within the B. rapa one seem to be the most promising genotypes for industrial purposes

Evaluation of Italian and Spanish Accessions of Brassica rapa L.: Effect of Flowering Earliness on Fresh Yield and Biological Value

A comparative study for evaluating Italian and Spanish accessions of Brassica rapa var. rapa L., including turnip greens and turnip tops, was carried out at different locations with a view to determine the effect of earliness on crop production, antioxidant activity, glucosinolates amount, and profile (GLSs) and total phenolics content. The accessions evaluated were represented by two turnip top local varieties (one Italian variety and a Galician one), four new synthetic varieties established by Misi&oacute;n Biol&oacute;gica de Galicia (MBG-CSIC), and three commercial varieties widely used by growers in Galicia and in Italy. The results showed a great variability regarding flowering time, fresh and dry weight of the leaves and flower buds, and the branch number per plant. The highest turnip greens production was found in two synthetic varieties (&ldquo;SIN07&rdquo; and &ldquo;SIN01&rdquo;) for both countries. Local varieties &ldquo;BRS550&rdquo; and &ldquo;CM39&rdquo; were also suitable for turnip greens production in Spain and Italy, respectively. For turnip tops, the highest production was found for &ldquo;SIN07&rdquo; in Spain, for &ldquo;CM39&rdquo; in Italy and for &ldquo;BRS550&rdquo; in both countries. We found a high diversity in the total and individual glucosinolate, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity among genotypes, geographical origins, and the different parts of the plant (leaf and flower). Varieties &ldquo;SIN01&rdquo; and &ldquo;SIN07&rdquo; showed the highest values in total GLSs, total aliphatic and gluconapin contents in turnip greens followed by the two commercial varieties. For turnip tops, the highest values in gluconapin, aliphatic, and total GLSs contents were found in &ldquo;SIN01&rdquo; and &ldquo;BRS550&rdquo;. Even though different varieties stand out over the rest depending on the location, &ldquo;SIN01&rdquo;, &ldquo;SIN07&rdquo;, &ldquo;CM39&rdquo;, and &ldquo;BRS550&rdquo; could be recommended for turnip greens production because of its high antioxidant activity. The study showed that the latest varieties are more productive and show higher bioactive compounds than the earlier ones and that it is possible to improve genotypes for different growing cycles. Therefore, these varieties could be proposed for further breeding programs for B. rapa production