Agricultural contamination: Effect of copper excess on physiological parameters of potato genotypes and food chain security

Areas with a history of cupric fungicide application accumulate copper (Cu), which may be toxic to plants and might result in food chain contamination. This work aimed to study the effects of Cu contaminated vineyard soils (2.2, 5, 36.3, 67, 95.7, 270.5 and 320.70 mg Cu kg-1 soil) on potato physiology and it´s potential risk to human health, during the fall and spring growing seasons. The increase of Cu concentration in leaves was dependent on external Cu concentrations and development stage of the leaves. There were genotypic differences for both growth and biochemical parameters including high accumulation of Cu in tubers among the genotypes. Therefore, Cu stress triggered a defense mechanism against oxidative stress in potato plants; and the magnitude of Cu stress was depended on the genotype and the plant physiological status. In addition, these results provide evidence that potato antioxidants are not sufficient to prevent biological damage caused by Cu toxicity, and that popato cultivation in areas with high Cu levels is not recommended due to low production and potential risk to human health

Physiological and oxidative stress responses of four potato clones to aluminum in nutrient solution

San Diego House (ca. 1841, totally reconstructed 1985); A state protected historical park located in the Old Town neighborhood. It commemorates the early days of the town of San Diego and includes many historic buildings from the period 1820 to 1870. Five original adobes are part of the complex, which includes shops, restaurants and museums. Other historic buildings include a schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, San Diego's first newspaper office, a cigar and pipe store, houses and gardens, and a stable with a carriage collection. There are also stores, with local artisans demonstrating their craft. Living history demonstrations and free tours are regularly scheduled. The entire district and various buildings within it have state and national historic registration. Source: Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page (accessed 9/3/2015

Spray-dried porcine plasma added to diets contaminated with aflatoxins and fumonisins shows beneficial effects to piglet health

Abstract This study was aimed to analyze the effects of spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) on the health of post weaning piglets challenged with diets contaminated with aflatoxins and fumonisins. Fifty-six male piglets (7.15 ± 0.61 kg) were allocated in four groups: CTL group received a regular diet; SDPP group received a regular diet and 6% SDPP; MYC group received a diet containing 300 µg/kg aflatoxins and 8,000 µg/kg fumonisins; group MYC+SDPP received 300 µg/kg aflatoxins, 8,000 µg/kg fumonisins and 6% SDPP. The animals that received the experimental diet containing mycotoxins (MYC group) had lower weight gain at the end of the experiment compared to the other treatments. Animals receiving SDPP showed decreased urea levels throughout the experiment (P<0.05). Animals from MYC group presented an increased on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels and decreased catalase activity (P<0.05). In contrast, SDPP prevented the increase of ROS and TBARS and stimulated superoxide dismutase activity (P<0.05). In conclusion, diet contaminated with mycotoxins (group MYC) caused subclinical intoxication in the piglets, as observed by the increase on free radical’s production and lipid peroxidation. Conversely, SDPP presented a protective effect, minimizing the effects of oxidative stress caused by aflatoxins and fumonisins ingestion