Response of maize to fertilization with KCl on gleysol of Sava valley area

Five maize ( Zea mays L.) hybrids were grown for four growing seasons on gleysol characterized by moderate supply with potassium (K). Three rates of KCl were applied in four replicates at the beginning of April 2001 as follows (kg K 2 O/ha): 150 (control), 650 and 1400. The highest rate of KCl resulted in significant increases of yield of 14%, 24% and 12%, for 2001, 2002 and 2003, respectively; while in the fourth year similar yields to the control were found. The OsSK552 and Bc5982 hybrids (4-year mean 8.70 t/ha) were more susceptible to soil stress in comparison with OsSK444 and OsSK458 (mean 9.07 t/ha). At the same time, Florencia hybrid yielded 9.37 t/ha. Four hybrids responded similarly to applied fertilization (yield increases from 13 to 16% in comparison to the control), while Florencia had low response to KCl (yield increase for 5% only). Under these conditions we recommend combined solution using 1000 kg K 2 O/ha every third year and a choice of tolerant hybrids

QSAR analysis for 6-arylpyrazine-2-carboxamides as <i>Trypanosoma brucei</i> inhibitors

<p>Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is prevalent in African countries, covering 37 countries, mostly sub-Saharan. A limited number of drugs are available to cure this neglected disease. In the present work, quantitative structure–activity (toxicity) relationships (QSA(T)R) analysis has been performed for a dataset of 54 6-arylpyrazine-2-carboxamides as <i>Trypanosoma brucei</i> inhibitors to identify the important structural features required for future optimization of lead candidates. The QSA(T)R models satisfy OECD guidelines and have high statistical robustness. The QSA(T)R models are based on easily interpretable molecular descriptors. The QSA(T)R models indicate that <i>Trypanosoma brucei</i> inhibitory activity of 6-arylpyrazine-2-carboxamides has correlation with the presence of <i>N</i>-<i>sec</i>-butylformamide and substituted benzene. The results could be beneficial for further optimization of 6-arylpyrazine-2-carboxamides as <i>Trypanosoma brucei</i> inhibitors. Some potential candidate molecules have been proposed.</p

Influence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae wine strains on total antioxidant capacity

none5The aromatic fraction of wines comprises a wide variety of compounds with different aromatic properties and antioxidant capacity, an important nutritional parameter. We selected Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains according to their ability to produce ethanol and chose 40 high ethanol-producing strains, all isolated from Nero d'Avola grapes, for testing in inoculated fermentations. The experimental wines obtained were analysed for total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and content of a number of by-products influencing wine aroma. The TAC in these 40 wines ranged from 0.625 to 3.3 mM/L ascorbic acid equivalents, and the wines could placed in three classes as a function of TAC, namely, low, medium, and high TAC. The majority of strains tested produced wines of the medium class, whereas only a few strains exhibited a high TAC. The strains that produced wines with an extremely low TAC are undesirable for use in the fermentation of Nero d'Avola grape must. Two fermentation by-products, acetic acid and isoamyl alcohol, were mainly responsible for wine variability. In terms of aromatic composition, strains determining low-medium TAC in the wines were characterized by a similar metabolic behaviour, which differed totally from that of strains determining a high TAC. © 2010 Springer-Verlag and the University of Milan.mixedBrandolini V.; Maietti A.; Tedeschi P.; Capece A.; Romano P.Brandolini, Vincenzo; Maietti, Annalisa; Tedeschi, Paola; Capece, A.; Romano, P