Incubation methods for the detection of fungi associated with caraway (Carum carvi L.) seeds

Infestation with fungi may significantly affect the quality of seeds. However, there is no standard method for caraway (Carum carvi L.) seed health testing. The aim of the present study was to determine the most efficient method of the detection of fungi associatyed with caraway seeds. Seven incubation methods for evaluation of health of these seeds were compared: deep freeze blotter test, blotter test with mannitol, blotter test with polyethylene glycol, agar tests on potato-dextrose-agar (PDA) and on reduced PDA (RPDA) without seed disinfection, and agar tests on PDA and RPDA after seed disinfection. The evaluation was performed after 10 and 14 days of incubation. Thirty two fungal genera were associated with the seeds. Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium spp. and Rhizopus nigricans were identified most frequently. Prolongation of incubation time favoured growth of Fusarium spp. and R. nigricans to the highest extent. The greatest seed infestation with fungi, especially Alternaria spp., was observed in the deep freeze blotter test followed by the blotter test with mannitol. Both of them could be recommended for further study on caraway seed health testing.Zasiedlenie przez grzyby może istotnie wpływać na jakość nasion, jednak nie ma obecnie standardowej metody oceny zdrowotności nasion kminku (Carum carvi L). Celem prezentowanych badań było określenie optymalnej metody wykrywania grzybów zasiedlających nasiona kminku. Porównywano siedem metod oceny zdrowotności tych nasion: test bibułowy z przemrażaniem nasion, test bibułowy z mannitolem, test bibułowy z glikolem polietylenowym, test agarowy na pożywce glukozowo-ziemniaczanej (PDA) i zubożonej pożywce PDA (RPDA) bez odkażania nasion i test agarowy na pożywce PDA i RPDA po odkażaniu nasion. Ocenę przeprowadzono po 10 i 14 dniach inkubacji. Na nasionach stwierdzono występowanie 32 rodzajów grzybów. Najczęściej identyfikowano Alternaria alternata, Cladosporium spp. i Rhizopus nigricans. Wydłużenie inkubacji w największym stopniu sprzyjało wzrostowi Fusarium spp. i R. nigricans. Największe zasiedlenie nasion przez grzyby, zwłaszcza Alternaria spp., obserwowano w teście bibułowym z przemrażaniem nasion, a następnie w teście bibułowym z mannitolem i oba te testy można polecić do dalszych badań nad oceną zdrowotności nasion kminku

Intestinal alkaline phosphatase: novel functions and protective effects

International audienceImportant protective roles of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) - including regulation of intestinal surface pH, absorption of lipids, detoxification of free nucleotides and bacterial lipopolysaccharide, attenuation of intestinal inflammation, and possible modulation of the gut microbiota - have been reviewed recently. IAP is modulated by numerous nutritional factors. The present review highlights new findings on the properties of IAP and extends the list of its protective functions. Critical assessment of data suggests that some IAP properties are a direct result of dephosphorylation of proinflammatory moieties, while others (e.g., gut barrier protection and microbiota shaping) may be secondary to IAP-mediated downregulation of inflammation. IAP and tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase isoforms characterize the small intestine and the colon, respectively. Gastrointestinal administration of exogenous IAP ameliorates gut inflammation and favors gut tissue regeneration, whereas enteral and systemic IAP administration attenuates systemic inflammation only. Finally, the IAP gene family has a strong evolutionary link to food-driven changes in gastrointestinal tract anatomy and microbiota composition. Therefore, stimulation of IAP activity by dietary intervention is a goal for preserving gut homeostasis and health by minimizing low-grade inflammation