Pilot testing of two biofungicide formulations for the control of citrus blue and green mold in two Moroccan packinghouses

Pichia guilliermondii strain Z1 and Bacillus subtilis strain ZH2 were previously selected for their high and reliable antagonistic activities against Penicillium digitatum (Sacc.) and blue mould (P. italicum Weh.) on citrus fruits. The effectiveness of pilot testing of wettable and a granular powder formulation based on each biocontrol agent was evaluated and compared to thiabendazole in two packinghouses. Each fruit was wounded on the outer surface on two opposite locations. Fruits intended to be treated with biofungicides were recovered just before applying the wax at packaging line. Fruits were soaked in a solution made with each formulation. Pathogenic inoculation was made 24 hours later by spraying two different varieties of fruits, Clementine ‘Nules’ and ‘Valencia-late’ orange, with a suspension of 105 conidia/ml of P. italicum or P. digitatum. The effect of treatment was evaluated after 7 days of fruit incubation at two temperatures 4 °C and 20 °C. The result showed that the control achieved with strain Z1 on ‘Valencia late’ orange was comparable to that with thiabendazole. On the other hand, the decay control was lower for all the treatments on the Clementine ‘Nules’. Nevertheless, ZH2 strain has no effect at 4 °C. Therefore, it was concluded that strain Z1 is a promising biocontrol agent for the control of major postharvest diseases of citrus in Moroccan packinghouse stations. Keywords: Citrus, biological control, formulation, packinghouse, Pichia guilliermondii, Bacillus subtili

Predictive Modelling Of Temperature And Water Activity (Solutes) On The In Vitro Radial Growth Of Botrytis Cinerea Pers

peer reviewe

Acinos alpinus and Ziziphora hispanica: Phenolic Profile, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties of Hydromethanolic Extracts from Aerial Parts

Acinos alpinus and Ziziphora hispanica belonging to the Lamiaceae family are well-known for their biological properties. The phenolic composition was characterized using HPLC coupled to photodiode array and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The antioxidant capacity was assessed by 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays. The antibacterial activity was evaluated by disc-diffusion and broth micro-dilution methods. A total of 53 phenolic compounds were identified in both extracts, with the predominance of caffeoylquinic acid isomers with a content of 2.09 mg/g in A. alpinus extract, while coumarylquinic acid isomers with a content of 17.33 mg/g was determined in Z. hispanica extract. The Acinos alpinus extract displayed the highest radical scavenging activity (IC50 DPPH = 3.226±0.035 mg/mL) and reducing power (EC50 FRAP = 3.792±0.001 mg/mL), followed by Z. hispanica extract with IC50 DPPH value of 7.265±0.209 mg/mL, and EC50 FRAP value of 24.689± 0.106 mg/mL. Furthermore, both A. alpinus and Z. hispanica extracts exhibited a bactericidal effect against six pathogenic bacteria with a MIC value from 4.16 to 33.33 mg/mL. On the basis of the results achieved, the aerial parts of Moroccan Acinos alpinus and Ziziphora hispanica might be used as natural agents in the food and pharmaceutical field

Profil épidémiologique et évolutif de la cirrhose hépatique

Introduction : La cirrhose est une maladie grave, évolutive et constitue un problème de sante publique . l’objectif de ce travail est d’analyser et actualiser les aspects épidémiologiques, cliniques et évolutifs de la cirrhose.Matériels et Méthodes : Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective ayant pour but d’analyser les caractéristiques des patients hospitalisés pour une cirrhose durant la période de 3 ans . Le diagnostic de la cirrhose a été posé sur la base d'arguments cliniques, biologiques, morphologique et endoscopiques.Résultats : Sur une période de 3 ans 124 cas des patients ayant une cirrhose. L’âge moyen  était de 54.24 (19 - 91ans) avec   prédominance masculine, un sex-ratio  de 1.19. Dans les antécédents   une hépatite virale  était connue chez 9 patients  (9.6%). Les causes d’hospitalisations étaient l’hémorragie digestive, l’encéphalopathie hépatique ,l’infection du liquide d’ascite respectivement dans 40%,17% et 5.6%. Les infections virales B et C arrivent au premier rang des étiologies dans 35 cas (29 %), suivie de la thrombose porte dans 17 cas (11.29%) et l’alcool dans 7cas (5.6%). Répartition du child :A dans 50cas (40%) ,B dans 25 cas (20%),C dans 8 cas (6%).Les principales complications survenues au cours de l’évolution étaient : l’hémorragie digestive dans 50 cas (40.3%) , l’encéphalopathie hépatique dans 22 cas  (17%), le décès dans 12 cas(9.6%),l’insuffisance rénale dans 8 cas (6%),infection du liquide d’ascite dans 7 cas (5.6%)et  carcinome hépatocellulaire dans 2 cas (1.6%).Conclusion: les causes virales restent encore la principale cause de cirrhose dans notre population  avec une morbimortalité lourde liée principalement à l’hémorragie digestive et les complications de l’ascite

Doing politics in the recent Arab uprisings: Towards a political discourse analysis of the Arab Spring slogans

The present paper aims to analyse a number of those slogans collected from the sit-in quarters in Egypt, Libya and Yemen. Using political discourse analysis, it unravels various typical discourse structures and strategies that are used in slogans in the construction of a sub-genre of political discourse in the Arab world. Drawing data from several mediums, including banners, wall graffiti, audio-visual instruments, chanting, speeches and songs, this paper tries to show the extent to which the slogans serve as a medium by which political complaints and comments are dispensed and consumed. This paper draws on a rhetorical analysis to find out their persuasive effect on shaping the Arab intellect and on the change of the political atmosphere in the region. Lastly, this paper attempts to show to what extent the slogans meet the standards of political discourse and whether they can be considered as a sub-genre of political discourse or not.IS

Non-destructive determination of floral staging in cereals using X-ray micro computed tomography (µCT)

Background Accurate floral staging is required to aid research into pollen and flower development, in particular male development. Pollen development is highly sensitive to stress and is critical for crop yields. Research into male development under environmental change is important to help target increased yields. This is hindered in monocots as the flower develops internally in the pseudostem. Floral staging studies therefore typically rely on destructive analysis, such as removal from the plant, fixation, staining and sectioning. This time-consuming analysis therefore prevents follow up studies and analysis past the point of the floral staging. Results This study focuses on using X-ray µCT scanning to allow quick and detailed non-destructive internal 3D phenotypic information to allow accurate staging of Arabidopsis thaliana L. and Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) flowers. X-ray µCT has previously relied on fixation methods for above ground tissue, therefore two contrast agents (Lugol’s iodine and Bismuth) were observed in Arabidopsis and Barley in planta to circumvent this step. 3D models and 2D slices were generated from the X-ray µCT images providing insightful information normally only available through destructive time-consuming processes such as sectioning and microscopy. Barley growth and development was also monitored over three weeks by X-ray µCT to observe flower development in situ. By measuring spike size in the developing tillers accurate non-destructive staging at the flower and anther stages could be performed; this staging was confirmed using traditional destructive microscopic analysis. Conclusion The use of X-ray micro computed tomography (µCT) scanning of living plant tissue offers immense benefits for plant phenotyping, for successive developmental measurements and for accurate developmental timing for scientific measurements. Nevertheless, X-ray µCT remains underused in plant sciences, especially in above-ground organs, despite its unique potential in delivering detailed non-destructive internal 3D phenotypic information. This work represents a novel application of X-ray µCT that could enhance research undertaken in monocot species to enable effective non-destructive staging and developmental analysis for molecular genetic studies and to determine effects of stresses at particular growth stages

Epicoccum nigrum P16, a Sugarcane Endophyte, Produces Antifungal Compounds and Induces Root Growth

Background: Sugarcane is one of the most important crops in Brazil, mainly because of its use in biofuel production. Recent studies have sought to determine the role of sugarcane endophytic microbial diversity in microorganism-plant interactions, and their biotechnological potential. Epicoccum nigrum is an important sugarcane endophytic fungus that has been associated with the biological control of phytopathogens, and the production of secondary metabolites. In spite of several studies carried out to define the better conditions to use E. nigrum in different crops, little is known about the establishment of an endophytic interaction, and its potential effects on plant physiology. Methodology/Principal Findings: We report an approach based on inoculation followed by re-isolation, molecular monitoring, microscopic analysis, plant growth responses to fungal colonization, and antimicrobial activity tests to study the basic aspects of the E. nigrum endophytic interaction with sugarcane, and the effects of colonization on plant physiology. The results indicate that E. nigrum was capable of increasing the root system biomass and producing compounds that inhibit the in vitro growth of sugarcane pathogens Fusarium verticillioides, Colletotrichum falcatum, Ceratocystis paradoxa, and Xanthomomas albilineans. In addition, E. nigrum preferentially colonizes the sugarcane surface and, occasionally, the endophytic environment. Conclusions/Significance: Our work demonstrates that E. nigrum has great potential for sugarcane crop application because it is capable of increasing the root system biomass and controlling pathogens. The study of the basic aspects of the interaction of E. nigrum with sugarcane demonstrated the facultative endophytism of E. nigrum and its preference for the phylloplane environment, which should be considered in future studies of biocontrol using this species. In addition, this work contributes to the knowledge of the interaction of this ubiquitous endophyte with the host plant, and also to a better use of microbial endophytes in agriculture.State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP)FAPESP (State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation) [02/14143-3, 10/08286-2]Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq