Developmental processes, polyamine composition and content of fruiting cuttings of Vitis vinifera L.: Responses to nitrogen deficiency

Fruiting cuttings of cv. Cabernet Sauvignon exposed to nitrogen (N) deficiency showed alterations of the N and phosphorus content, the number of berries per plant and berry characteristics at maturity. Conjugated and bound polyamines changed in various tissues at different and critical stages of development and responded strongly to N deficiency. At anthesis the conjugated and bound spermidine content in flowers and the N supply were closely and inversely correlated, while conjugated and bound forms of putrescine responded in the opposite way. However, in these organs N deficiency led to a high content of bound spermidine and a marked decrease of conjugated putrescine. At fruit set, N deficiency was associated with a high content of bound diaminopropane in berries. In ripe berries free putrescine and the N supply were inversely correlated.

Activities of polyamine oxidases and diaminopropane contents during flowering of Vinis vinifera L.

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S-Abscisic acid, 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid and indole-3-acetic acid treatments modify grape (Vitis vinifera L. 'Cabernet Sauvignon') hormonal balance and wine quality

The phenolic composition of red wine strongly determines its quality. Even when the applications of plant  growth regulator (PGR) affect grape quality, there is  almost no information on the effect of these treatments  on the grape’s internal hormonal balance and the wine  composition and quality. In the present study, changes in the internal hormonal content following the application of (+)-S-abscisic acid (S-ABA), 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid (CEPA) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) at veraison were examined to determine their effects on 'Cabernet Sauvignon' grapes and wine composition in a plants in containers experiment and in a commercial vineyard experiment. Applied PGRs had a significant effect on the hormonal balance and phenolic composition of grape skins. The S-ABA-treated grapes showed a significantly higher skin internal free abscisic acid concentration in the plants in container experiment and the CEPA-treated grapes showed a reduction in skin internal IAA concentration in the commercial vineyard experiment. Winemaking was performed in the commercial vineyard experiment. Wine’s chemical composition was affected by these treatments and an up-to 63 % increase in malvidin-3-glucoside concentration and an up-to 70 % increase in total tannin concentration were found in wines made from the CEPA-treated grapes. The alcohol content was 10.3 % higher (from 12.6 to 13.9 % v v-1) in wines made from the CEPA-treated grapes. No significant differences in the wine sensory attributes (aroma and mouth-feel) between the control and the PGR-treated wines were identified by a sensory panel.

Analyse des polyamines conjuguées aux acides hydroxycinnamiques dans les fleurs de vigne et les baies de raisin

La comparaison des deux cépages Merlot et Cabernet-Sauvignon en plein champ montre que les polyamines conjuguées aux acides hydroxycinnamiques peuvent être considérées comme des marqueurs du début de la floraison et de la croissance du fruit. Des polyamines conjuguées aux acides hydroxycinnamiques sont présentes en grande quantité dans les organes reproducteurs des boutons floraux et des fleurs. Les ovaires renferment essentiellement des polyamines conjuguées insolubles dans l'eau alors que dans les anthères s'accumulent des composés basiques solubles dans l'eau comme principalement le para-coumaryldiaminopropane. Après la floraison, les teneurs en polyamines conjuguées chutent considérablement pour s'accumuler à nouveau dans les jeunes baies, uniquement sous leur forme soluble dans l'eau et liée à l'acide férulique. L'intervention de ces substances dans les mécanismes liés au contrôle de la reproduction chez la vigne est discutée.Hydroxycinnamic acid amines in flowers and berries of Vitis viniferaThe determination of phenolamines in flowers and berries of field-grown Vitis vinifera (cv. Cabernet-Sauvignon and Merlot) shows that these compounds can be considered as valuable markers of the onset of flowering and growth of berries. Hydroxycinnamic acid amines are found in large amounts in the reproductive organs. The ovaries contain neutral phenolamines and the anthers the basic compound para-coumaryldiaminopropane. After flowering, hydroxycinnamic acid amines rapidly and dramatically decreased. In young berries, levels of polyamines increased; they were found to be soluble in water and conjugated with ferulic acid. The possible role of these molecules in processes controlling reproduction of grape is discussed

Advanced glycation inhibition and protection against endothelial dysfunction induced by coumarins and procyanidins from Mammea neurophylla.

Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) are associated with many pathogenic disorders such as pathogenesis of diabetes or endothelial dysfunction leading to cardiovascular events. Therefore, the identification of new anti-AGE molecules or extracts aims at preventing such pathologies. Many Clusiaceae and Calophyllaceae species are used in traditional medicines to treat arterial hypertension as well as diabetes. Focusing on these plant families, an anti-AGE plant screening allowed us to select Mammea neurophylla for further phytochemical and biological studies. Indeed, both DCM and MeOH stem bark extracts demonstrated in vitro their ability to prevent inflammation in endothelial cells and to reduce vasoconstriction. A bioguided fractionation of these extracts allowed us to point out 4-phenyl- and 4-(1-acetoxypropyl)coumarins and procyanidins as potent inhibitors of AGE formation, potentially preventing endothelial dysfunction. The fractionation steps also led to the isolation of two new compounds, namely neurophyllols A and B from the DCM bark extract together with thirteen known mammea A and E coumarins (mammea A/AA, mammea A/AB, mammea A/BA, mammea A/BB, mammea A/AA cycloD, mammea A/AB cycloD, disparinol B, mammea A/AB cycloE, ochrocarpin A, mammea A/AA cycloF, mammea A/AB cycloF, mammea E/BA, mammea E/BB) as well as δ-tocotrienol, xanthones (1-hydroxy-7-methoxyxanthone, 2-hydroxyxanthone) and triterpenes (friedelin and betulinic acid). During this study, R,S-asperphenamate, previously described from fungal origin was also purified

Stakeholder perspectives on shale gas fracking: A Q-method study of environmental discourses

The rapid expansion of shale gas exploration worldwide is a significant source of environmental controversy. Successful shale gas policymaking is dependent upon a clear understanding of the dynamics of competing stakeholder perspectives on these issues, and so methods are needed to delineate the areas of agreement and conflict that emerge. This empirical study, based in the United Kingdom, examines emergent perspectives on a range of environmental, health and socio-economic impacts associated with shale gas fracking using Q- methodology: a combined qualitative-quantitative approach. The analysis reveals three typologies of perspectives amongst key industry, civil society and non-affiliated citizen stakeholders; subsequently contextualised in relation to Dryzek’s typology of environmental discourses. These are labelled A) “Don’t trust the fossil fuels industry: campaign for renewables” (mediating between sustainable development and democratic pragmatism discourses); B) “Shale gas is a bridge fuel: economic growth and environmental scepticism” (mediating between economic rationalism and ecological modernisation discourses); and C) “Take place protective action and legislate in the public interest” (reflecting a discourse of administrative rationalism). The implications of these competing discourses for nascent shale gas policy in the UK are discussed in light of recent Government public consultation on changes to national planning policy

The Local Economic Impact of Shale Gas Extraction

Advocates of UK shale gas expansion have focused upon predicted national economic benefits, but local and/or regional impact has been largely neglected. This paper seeks to address this deficit by creating a unique dataset, combining industry data with consumer and supply chain surveys, thereby overcoming the current absence of suitable secondary data. Local economic impact in the Bowland field is estimated via a simple Keynesian local income multiplier model. Results emphasize the importance of facilitating local employment opportunities, through skills initiatives, and development of regional supply chain clusters, to anchor economic benefits within the local economy. Policy implications are discussed