Use of plant-made essential oils as biological seed treatments in soybean

Soybean (Glycine max (L) Merrill) seed is commonly treated with chemical compounds to extend the cycle of the crop and protect the seed from early season pathogens. However, in organic and sustainable agriculture, chemical seed treatments are restricted and planting date therefore has to be delayed. Seed treatments based on essential plant oils emerge as an alternative because of their natural origin. Seed producers could benefit from these treatments because treated seed can be sold as grain instead of having to dispose the chemically treated seed. The objective of this study was to identify essential oils with antifungal and antibacterial properties to be used as seed treatment in soybean. To achieve this goal, essential oils were initially screened in vitro against common soybean pathogens. Efficacy of essential oils of anise, basil, bay, black pepper, caraway, cinnamon, clove, coriander, lavender, lemongrass, nutmeg, oregano, peppermint, rosemary, sage, savory, tea tree and thyme was tested against Pythium sp, Phomopsis sp. and Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea. Minimum concentration of selected essential oils capable of inhibiting pathogenic growth was determined. Results from in vitro experiments showed that cinnamon, clove, lemongrass and oregano essential oils controlled Pythium at concentrations as low as 200 [Mu]L L⁻¹ of the oils. Cinnamon, clove, oregano and savory controlled Phomopsis at concentrations as low as 400 [Mu]L L⁻¹ of the oils. Oregano and savory were able to control Pseudomonas at concentrations as low as 400 [Mu]L L⁻¹. Additionally, essential oils were tested for potential phytotoxic effects over soybean germination, at the minimum inhibitory concentration and at double of the minimum inhibitory concentration. No deleterious effects of the oils on seed germination were observed. Finally, infected seeds were treated with essential oils and efficacy of the oils as seed protectants was examined. Germination tests results did not show an advantage of seeds treated with essential oils over non-treated seeds (P\u3c0.05). Seed treatment could lead to a significantly higher plant stand when conditions are adverse for the seed. However, in our results, levels of seed infection were low and differences in germination were not observed (P\u3c0.05)

Use of plant-made essential oils as biological seed treatments in soybean

Soybean (Glycine max (L) Merrill) seed is commonly treated with chemical compounds to extend the cycle of the crop and protect the seed from early season pathogens. However, in organic and sustainable agriculture, chemical seed treatments are restricted and planting date therefore has to be delayed. Seed treatments based on essential plant oils emerge as an alternative because of their natural origin. Seed producers could benefit from these treatments because treated seed can be sold as grain instead of having to dispose the chemically treated seed. The objective of this study was to identify essential oils with antifungal and antibacterial properties to be used as seed treatment in soybean. To achieve this goal, essential oils were initially screened in vitro against common soybean pathogens. Efficacy of essential oils of anise, basil, bay, black pepper, caraway, cinnamon, clove, coriander, lavender, lemongrass, nutmeg, oregano, peppermint, rosemary, sage, savory, tea tree and thyme was tested against Pythium sp, Phomopsis sp. and Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea. Minimum concentration of selected essential oils capable of inhibiting pathogenic growth was determined. Results from in vitro experiments showed that cinnamon, clove, lemongrass and oregano essential oils controlled Pythium at concentrations as low as 200 [Mu]L L⁻¹ of the oils. Cinnamon, clove, oregano and savory controlled Phomopsis at concentrations as low as 400 [Mu]L L⁻¹ of the oils. Oregano and savory were able to control Pseudomonas at concentrations as low as 400 [Mu]L L⁻¹. Additionally, essential oils were tested for potential phytotoxic effects over soybean germination, at the minimum inhibitory concentration and at double of the minimum inhibitory concentration. No deleterious effects of the oils on seed germination were observed. Finally, infected seeds were treated with essential oils and efficacy of the oils as seed protectants was examined. Germination tests results did not show an advantage of seeds treated with essential oils over non-treated seeds (P\u3c0.05). Seed treatment could lead to a significantly higher plant stand when conditions are adverse for the seed. However, in our results, levels of seed infection were low and differences in germination were not observed (P\u3c0.05)

Elaboración de material didáctico sobre la contaminación de suelos

[ES] La educación ambiental es esencial en la sociedad en la que vivimos, debido a que aumenta la concienciación sobre los diferentes problemas medioambientales. Entre las competencias de un formador y educador ambiental se encuentran: el diseño y desarrollo de campañas de comunicación y educación ambiental, la organización de jornadas ambiéntales, la elaboración de materiales didácticos, la preparación e impartición de cursos de formación ambiental en centros de estudios y en empresas y la elaboración de memorias y evaluaciones de los proyectos y actividades realizadas. En el año 2018 el día mundial del suelo organizado por la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y la Agricultura (FAO) tiene como lema ¿Se la solución a la contaminación de suelos¿. Con este Trabajo Final de Grado se pretende elaborar material didáctico sobre la contaminación de suelos para estudiantes de primaria y secundaria, así como estudiar su difusión.The main objective of the present document is to prepare a didactic proposal for the teaching of soil contamination for students of fifth and sixth year of Primary Education and the first year of Compulsory Secondary Education. Soil contamination poses a serious challenge for agricultural productivity, food safety and human health, hence the need to address this issue in the classroom and that students settle the basic ideas on this problem and develop a critical attitude about this phenomenon. The didactic proposals have been made considering an active and participatory methodology, based on cooperative learning. The activities proposed as didactic material express the importance of theoretical learning through experimental activities, the importance of reflecting on the activity carried out and the importance of communicating what has been learned and one's own ideas. Both, the Didactic Unit proposed for Primary Education "Surviving on the soil" and for Secondary Education "Protecting the soil from pollution" have as central axis knowing the origin of soil contamination, as well as its effect on people and the environment and its preventionGrau Martínez, G. (2019). Elaboración de material didáctico sobre la contaminación de suelos. Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/117727TFG

La sostenibilidad de la vivienda: razones para incentivar su desarrollo en España

En el marco de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de la Agenda 2030 (en particular en el Objetivo número 11 sobre Ciudades y Comunidades Sostenibles) se aprobó la Directiva 2018/844 UE de 30 de mayo, modificando las anteriores 2010/31 de eficiencia energética de edificios y 2012/27 de eficiencia energética, para lograr "un parque inmobiliario descarbonizado y altamente eficiente (…) para transformar los edificios existentes en edificios de consumo de energía casi nulo... con una renovación a una tasa media anual del 3% (...) aplicando las Directrices de la OMS sobre la calidad de aire interior… y apoyando medidas de fomento de financiación inteligente para edificios inteligentes de la Comisión Europea". La Directiva anuncia una mejora de la transparencia de los certificados de eficiencia energética, garantizando el establecimiento y la aplicación uniformes de todos los parámetros de cálculo necesarios, tanto por lo que respecta a la certificación como a los requisitos mínimos de eficiencia energética, y propone un sistema de control posterior automatizado y electrónico. En el marco del proyecto del Plan nacional de I+D+i CertificaRSE5, se han analizado la certificación, las eco-etiquetas y el apoyo necesario con recursos financieros públicos para impulsar el futuro del sector. Para obtener esta información, se ha optado por diseñar y aplicar una técnica de investigación cuantitativa. En concreto, se ha realizado una encuesta a los grupos de interés del sector de la edificación y rehabilitación, por su experiencia con el manejo de certificaciones y su impacto real en la sostenibilidad. Se ha invitado a los encuestados a valorar la introducción de nuevos incentivos en los impuestos aplicables al sector de construcción y rehabilitación de viviendas, ajustados al retorno en sostenibilidad que generan, con el propósito de mejorar la normativa y la comunicación de todos los agentes involucrados con la sociedad. La finalidad de esta encuesta ha sido valorar la adecuación del marco normativo y financiero a la hora de atender las necesidades existentes, por lo que se han tenido en cuenta diferentes dimensiones analíticas: la sostenibilidad en el sector, la certificación, los recursos económicos y financieros, la normativa aplicada y la comunicación con agentes del sector y con la sociedad

Incentivos fiscales para la sostenibilidad de la vivienda en España

Fac. de DerechoFALSEMinisterio Economía y Competitividadunpu

The sustainability of housing: reasons to encourage its development in Spain

Número Monográfico: La economía social ante sus retos: emprendimiento, transformación digital, género y desarrollo sostenible.En el marco de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de la Agenda 2030 (en particular en el Objetivo número 11 sobre Ciudades y Comunidades Sostenibles) se aprobó la Directiva 2018/844 UE de 30 de mayo, modificando las anteriores 2010/31 de eficiencia energética de edificios y 2012/27 de eficiencia energética, para lograr "un parque inmobiliario descarbonizado y altamente eficiente (…) para transformar los edificios existentes en edificios de consumo de energía casi nulo... con una renovación a una tasa media anual del 3% (...) aplicando las Directrices de la OMS sobre la calidad de aire interior… y apoyando medidas de fomento de financiación inteligente para edificios inteligentes de la Comisión Europea". La Directiva anuncia una mejora de la transparencia de los certificados de eficiencia energética, garantizando el establecimiento y la aplicación uniformes de todos los parámetros de cálculo necesarios, tanto por lo que respecta a la certificación como a los requisitos mínimos de eficiencia energética, y propone un sistema de control posterior automatizado y electrónico. En el marco del proyecto del Plan nacional de I+D+i CertificaRSE5, se han analizado la certificación, las eco-etiquetas y el apoyo necesario con recursos financieros públicos para impulsar el futuro del sector. Para obtener esta información, se ha optado por diseñar y aplicar una técnica de investigación cuantitativa. En concreto, se ha realizado una encuesta a los grupos de interés del sector de la edificación y rehabilitación, por su experiencia con el manejo de certificaciones y su impacto real en la sostenibilidad. Se ha invitado a los encuestados a valorar la introducción de nuevos incentivos en los impuestos aplicables al sector de construcción y rehabilitación de viviendas, ajustados al retorno en sostenibilidad que generan, con el propósito de mejorar la normativa y la comunicación de todos los agentes involucrados con la sociedad. La finalidad de esta encuesta ha sido valorar la adecuación del marco normativo y financiero a la hora de atender las necesidades existentes, por lo que se han tenido en cuenta diferentes dimensiones analíticas: la sostenibilidad en el sector, la certificación, los recursos económicos y financieros, la normativa aplicada y la comunicación con agentes del sector y con la sociedad.In the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, in particular Goal 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities, the EU Directive 2018/844 of May 30 was approved, modifying the previous 2010/31 buildings energy efficiency and 2012/27 energy efficiency, to achieve "a decarbonized and highly efficient buildings’ stock (...) to transform existing buildings into buildings with almost zero energy consumption (...) with a renovation at an average annual rate of 3% (...) applying the WHO Guidelines on indoor air quality (...) and supporting measures to promote smart financing for smart buildings of the European Commission". The Directive announces an improvement in the transparency of energy efficiency certificates, guaranteeing the uniform establishment and application of all the necessary calculation parameters, both in terms of certification and minimum energy efficiency requirements, and proposes an automated and electronic back control system. In the CertificaRSE Project, within the national Plan of R&D+i, the certification, the eco-labels and the necessary support with public funding to promote the future of this sector. A choice has been made, since the early stage of this Project, to use a quantitative research technique. We have conducted a survey to different stakeholders in the field of buildings and their renovation, given their expertise in the use of certificates and the actual impact on sustainability. The introduction of new incentives has been valued in the taxes applicable to the housing construction and rehabilitation sector, adjusted to the return in sustainability that they generate, with the purpose of improving the regulations and the communication of all the agents involved with society. The purpose of this survey has been to assess the adequacy of the regulatory and financial framework when dealing with existing needs. For this, the survey has been structured in several analytical dimensions (sustainability in the sector, certification, financial resources, regulations and communication to society).Escuela de Estudios CooperativosFac. de Ciencias Económicas y EmpresarialesTRUEpu

Fatty Acid Profile of Mature Red Blood Cell Membranes and Dietary Intake as a New Approach to Characterize Children with Overweight and Obesity

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease of high complexity and of multifactorial origin. Understanding the effects of nutrition on childhood obesity metabolism remains a challenge. The aim of this study was to determine the fatty acid (FA) profile of red blood cell (RBC) membranes as a comprehensive biomarker of children's obesity metabolism, together with the evaluation of their dietary intake. An observational study was carried out on 209 children (107 healthy controls, 41 who were overweight and 61 with obesity) between 6 and 16 years of age. Mature RBC membrane phospholipids were analyzed for FA composition by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Dietary habits were evaluated using validated food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) and the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for children (KIDMED) test. Compared to children with normal weight, children with obesity showed an inflammatory profile in mature RBC FAs, evidenced by higher levels of omega-6 polyunsaturated FAs (mainly arachidonic acid, p < 0.001). Children who were overweight or obese presented lower levels of monounsaturated FA (MUFA) compared to children with normal weight (p = 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively), resulting in an increased saturated fatty acid (SFA)/MUFA ratio. A lower intake of nuts was observed for children with obesity. A comprehensive membrane lipidomic profile approach in children with obesity will contribute to a better understanding of the metabolic differences present in these individuals.This work was supported by the Department of Environment: Territorial Planning: Agriculture and Fisheries of the Basque Country Government (ELKARTEK 2017: and Innovation Fund 2017); the Department of Health of the Basque Government (2017222033: OBESIA 2016-2019); the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) of the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation under the grant agreement: TECNOMIFOOD project (CER-20191010); the INC (INTERNATIONAL NUT AND DRIED FRUIT COUNCIL) under the grant agreement OBINUT project (2016(II)-R01)

Ldrb toxin with in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity as a potential tool for cancer gene therapy

Due to the high prevalence of cancer in recent years, it is necessary to develop new and more effective therapies that produce fewer side effects. Development of gene therapy for cancer based on the use of suicide genes that can damage the tumor cell, without requiring a prodrug for its lethal effect, is one of the recent foci of gene therapy strategies. We evaluated the cytotoxic impact of the LdrB toxin from Escherichia coli k12 as a possible tool for cancer gene therapy. For that, colorectal and breast cancer cells were transfected under the control of a TRE3G promoter inducible by doxycycline. Our results showed that ldrB gene expression induced a drastic inhibition of proliferation in vitro, in both 2D and 3D experimental models. Moreover, unlike conventional chemotherapy, the ldrB gene induced a severe loss of proliferation in vivo without any side effects in our animal model. This antitumor outcome was modulated by cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and apoptotic death. Scanning electronic microscopy demonstrates that the LdrB toxin conserves its pore-forming ability in HCT-116 cells as in E. coli k12. Taken together, our results provide, for the first time, a proof of concept of the antitumor capacity of the ldrB gene in colorectal and breast cancer.This research was supported by the Fundación Mutua Madrileña (project FMM-AP16683-2017), Consejería de Salud Junta de Andalucía (PI-0089-2017), the MNat Scientitc Unit of Excellence (UCE.PP2017.0f), and from the Chair “Doctors Galera-Requena in cancer stem cell research”