NEW CUCUMOVIRUS ON BEANS IN BULGARIA \u96 AN ATTEMPT FOR CHARACTERIZATION

A virus was isolated from naturally infected bean plants, grown in different areas in Bulgaria. The investigated isolates were characterized using electron microscopy, serology, biological tests, electrophoretic analysis and reverse transcription-poly-merase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Isometric particles about 30 nm in diameter were observed in crude sap preparations. The tested isolates were serologically distantly related to cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) but in ELISA experiments and immunoelectrophoresis they demonstrated a close serological relationship with a cucumovirus from China named Ch 39. The Bulgarian isolates were identified as a cucumovirus Ch 39-BG. The electrophoretic analysis of this virus showed the presence of two protein bands. CMV primers amplified an unspecific DNA fragment of 500 bp. All the performed investigations suggested the presence of a cucumovirus closer to CMV though different from the known CMV strains

Lavender Essential Oil as Antibacterial Treatment for Packaging Paper

Based on many years of experience, packaging is considered as an inactive barrier that protects materials and goods from environmental factors. The applicability of native chemical additive such as essential oils in wrapping papers can be used in the forms of films, treatments, coatings or others. Essential oils or extracts from different aromatic plants are used as bioactive substances for antimicrobial activity. In this research, lavender essential oil treatment of packaging papers is examined for its inhibition activity under nine microorganisms—two Gram-positive bacteria, three Gram-negative bacteria, two yeast and two fungal strains. The effectiveness of the treatment on the structural and strength indicators of the obtained paper samples is monitored. In detail, a five-day examination is conducted on the antibacterial effectiveness of lavender essential oil treatment. Results indicate that the lavender treatment of the obtained packaging paper is successful and the antifungal effect is more pronounced. The antimicrobial efficiency of paper treated with lavender essential oil is between 60 and 90% in the first two hours after treatment and gradually decreases to 40%–50% at the end of the 120 h period. The lavender essential oil treatment of wrapping paper has a promising perspective for preserving products from microbial spoilage and extending their shelf life

New cucumovirus on beans in Bulgaria- An attempt for Characterization

A virus was isolated from naturally infected bean plants, grown in different areas in Bulgaria. The investigated isolates were characterized using electron microscopy, serology, biological tests, electrophoretic analysis and reverse transcription-poly-merase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Isometric particles about 30 nm in diameter were observed in crude sap preparations. The tested isolates were serologically distantly related to cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) but in ELISA experiments and immunoelectrophoresis they demonstrated a close serological relationship with a cucumovirus from China named Ch 39. The Bulgarian isolates were identified as a cucumovirus Ch 39-BG. The electrophoretic analysis of this virus showed the presence of two protein bands. CMV primers amplified an unspecific DNA fragment of 500 bp. All the performed investigations suggested the presence of a cucumovirus closer to CMV though different from the known CMV strains

Characterization of Tomato Accessions for Morphological, Agronomic, Fruit Quality, and Virus Resistance Traits

Characterization of local germplasm is an effective way to identify elite breeding material and develop improved varieties. This study was aimed to assess 52 tomato accessions comprised of local varieties (28), landraces (8), breeding lines (14), and wild relatives (2) and its characterization for 30 morphological/agronomic, four fruit quality, and Tomato Mosaic Virus (ToMV) resistance traits. Morphological, quality, and ToMV traits were evaluated using phenotyping, biochemical assays, and molecular markers, respectively. Fruit shape and size showed appreciable variation with fruits varied from rounded to heart shape and small to big size. Significant variation was observed for fruit weight (1.6g to 564.8g), fruits per plant (6.0 to 174.7), productivity (130.5g to 5146.5g), soluble solids (4.1% to 8.4%), vitamin C (9.5 mg/100g to 46.4 mg/100g), antioxidant activity (2.5 μmol Fe2+/g FW to 9.6 μmol Fe2+/g FW), and total polyphenols (23.9 GAE/100g FW to 124.2 GAE/100g FW). All accessions were phenotypically screened for the virus resistance in the growth chamber and CAPS molecular markers were used to identify accessions with ToMV Tm-22 resistant alleles and accessions LYC-13, LYC-15, LYC-17, LYC-26, and LYC-52 were identified as resistant. Multivariate analysis of morphological and quality traits showed that 35 principal components (PCs) contributed to the total variation and the first two and twelve PCs explained 47.2% and 90% variation, respectively. The evaluated tomato collection appears to have breeding potential and around 20% accessions of the collection (LYC-6, LYC 17-18, LYC 26-31, LYC 33) are promising genetic resources for variety development that are enriched with enhanced fruit quality and high yield.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

A step towards Balkan Capsicum annuum L. core collection: Phenotypic and biochemical characterization of 180 accessions for agronomic, fruit quality, and virus resistance traits.

Region-specific local landraces represent a germplasm diversity adapted and acclimatized to local conditions, and are ideal to breed for targeted market niches while maintaining the variability of heirloom traits. A collection of 180 pepper accessions, collected from 62 diverse locations across six Balkan countries, were characterized and evaluated for phenotypic and biochemical variation during a multi-year environment. An assortment of 32 agro-morphological, fruit quality, and virus resistance traits were evaluated, and the top 10% accessions were identified. A wide range of trait variation concerning plant architecture, inflorescence and fruit traits, yield and fruit quality was observed, and appreciable variation was noticed. According to hierarchical clustering, six distinct clusters were established based on pre-defined varietal groups. Divergence among accessions for phenotypic and fruit compositional variability was analyzed, and eight principal components were identified that contributed ~71% of the variation, with fruit shape, width, wall thickness, weight, and fruit quality traits being the most discriminant. Evaluation of the response to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and pepper mild mottle mosaic virus (PMMoV) showed that 24 and 1 accession were resistant, respectively while no tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) resistance was found. Considerable diversity for agro-bio-morphological traits indicates the Balkan pepper collection as good gene sources for pre-breeding and cultivar development that are locally adapted

Engineering of the membrane of fibroblast cells with virus-specific antibodies: a novel biosensor tool for virus detection

A novel concept for the assay of viral antigens is described. The methodological approach is based on a membrane-engineering process involving the electroinsertion of virus-specific antibodies in the membranes of fibroblast cells. As a representative example, Vero fibroblasts were engineered with antibodies against Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and used for the construction of an ultra-sensitive miniature cell biosensor system. The attachment of a homologous virus triggered specific changes to the cell membrane potential that were measured by appropriate microelectrodes, according to the principle of the bioelectric recognition assay (BERA). No change in the membrane potential was observed upon cell contact with the heterologous cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV). Fluorescence microscopy observations showed that attachment of CMV particles to membrane-engineered cells was associated with membrane hyperpolarization and increased [Ca2+]cyt. In an additional field-based application, we were able to detect CMV-infected tobacco plants at an essentially 100% level of accuracy