Determinación de hidatidosis en cerdos faenados en el camal de Azogues

Médico Veterinario ZootecnistaCuenc

Evaluación de la acumulación de cadmio en células de tomate de árbol a través de detección electroquímica indirecta de péptidos ricos en cisteína

The accumulation of Cd(II) by tamarillo (Solanum Betaceum) cells was evaluated through the detection of cysteine-rich peptides. It was used the method of electrochemical generation of iodine. These compounds are synthesized in the plant when it is contaminated by metals. The calibration curve obtained indicates a linear range from 0 to 250 µmol L-1, with a detection limit of 4.82 µmol L-1 (3.3s/m). The concentration of peptides in cell suspensions increases with the CdSO4 concentration and the exposure time. The results indicate that tamarillo cells accumulate cadmium. During 5 days of exposure and 100 µmol L-1 CdSO4, the cells of the suspension still do not suffer from apoptosis. The proposed method shows useful characteristics for monitoring heavy metals in growing plants.Mediante la generación electroquímica de yodo se evalúa la acumulación de Cd(II) por células de tomate de árbol (Solanum Betaceum) a través de la detección de péptidos ricos en cisteína, compuestos sintetizados por la planta cuando está contaminada con metales. La curva de calibración obtenida indica un intervalo lineal de 0 a 250 µmol L-1, con un límite de detección de 4,82 µmol L-1 (3,3 s/m). La concentración de péptidos en las suspensiones celulares incrementa conforme aumenta la concentración de CdSO4 y el tiempo de exposición. Los resultados indican que las células de tomate de árbol acumulan cadmio. Durante 5 días de exposición a 100 µmol L-1 CdSO4 las células en suspensión aún no sufren la apoptosis. El método propuesto muestra características útiles para su implementación en el monitoreo de contaminación por metales pesados en plantas en crecimiento

Evaluation of the Cadmium Accumulation in Tamarillo Cells (Solanum betaceum) by Indirect Electrochemical Detection of Cysteine-Rich Peptides

Long-term cadmium intake can be very dangerous to human health due to its toxic effects. Although people can be contaminated with this element from different sources, contaminated food is probably the most important one. Foods such as vegetables and fruits can become contaminated with cadmium existing in soils, irrigation water, or chemical fertilizers. Some plants produce an excess of cysteine-rich peptides (CRp) when affected by high concentrations of heavy metals such as cadmium, thus indicating the presence of this type of contamination. Among these plants is tamarillo (Solanum betaceum), which is locally known as “tree tomato”. This is a native plant widely consumed in the Ecuadorian Andes because of its abundance, low cost, and high content of vitamin C and fiber. The fact that Solanum betaceum produces CRp upon contamination with heavy metals means that this plant may be able to accumulate heavy metals. If this is the case, the plant can possibly be used as an indicator of metal pollution. The main goals of the present work were to evaluate the possibility of using Solanum betaceum as an indicator of metal contamination in plants and to examine its capability to accumulate metals. Both goals were met by determination of the amounts of CRp produced by Solanum betaceum cells cultivated in vitro in the laboratory under controlled conditions in the presence of different concentrations of cadmium. The CRp determination was carried out by means of electrogeneration of iodine in an iodide solution containing reduced glutathione as a biological thiol model. Solanum betaceum cells were grown in a Murashige and Skoog solution enriched with a 30 g L−1 sugar aqueous solution and 1 mg L−1 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The results of these experiments confirmed the following: (1) CRp production is a function of the amount of cadmium present as a contaminant up to a limiting value after which cell apoptosis occurs; (2) Solanum betaceum accumulates cadmium; (3) the analytical method used is appropriate for CRp determination; and (4) CRp determination is a valid alternative to detect contamination by heavy metals in plants