Genetic diversity of carotenoid-rich bananas evaluated by Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the carotenoid content and genetic variability of banana accessions from the Musa germplasm collection held at Embrapa Cassava and Tropical Fruits, Brazil. Forty-two samples were analyzed, including 21 diploids, 19 triploids and two tetraploids. The carotenoid content was analyzed spectrophotometrically and genetic variability was estimated using 653 DArT markers. The average carotenoid content was 4.73 μg.g -1 , and ranged from 1.06 μg.g -1 for the triploid Nanica (Cavendish group) to 19.24 μg.g -1 for the triploid Saney. The diploids Modok Gier and NBA-14 and the triploid Saney had a carotenoid content that was, respectively, 7-fold, 6-fold and 9-fold greater than that of cultivars from the Cavendish group (2.19 μg.g -1). The mean similarity among the 42 accessions was 0.63 (range: 0.24 to 1.00). DArT analysis revealed extensive genetic variability in accessions from the Embrapa Musa germplasm bank

Vicilins (7S storage globulins) of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds bind to chitinous structures of the midgut of Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) larvae

The presence of chitin in midgut structures of Callosobruchus maculatus larvae was shown by chemical and immunocytochemical methods. Detection by Western blotting of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seed vicilins (7S storage proteins) bound to these structures suggested that C. maculatus-susceptible vicilins presented less staining when compared to C. maculatus-resistant vicilins. Storage proteins present in the microvilli in the larval midgut of the bruchid were recognized by immunolabeling of vicilins in the appropriate sections with immunogold conjugates. These labeling sites coincided with the sites labeled by an anti-chitin antibody. These results, taken together with those previously published showing that the lower rates of hydrolysis of variant vicilins from C. maculatus-resistant seeds by the insect s midgut proteinases and those showing that vicilins bind to chitin matrices, may explain the detrimental effects of variant vicilins on the development of C. maculatus larvae

Caracterização de acessos de bananeira com base na concentração de compostos funcionais Characterization of banana accessions with base on functional compounds

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a concentração de polifenóis totais, flavonóides, vitamina C e carotenóides totais em 61 acessos de banana pertencentes ao Banco Ativo de Germoplasma de bananeira da Embrapa Mandioca e Fruticultura. Foram detectadas diferenças significativas para todas as características analisadas por meio da análise de variância. A média para os teores de polifenóis totais entre os 61 acessos de banana foi de 38,06mg 100g-1, com variação de 12,51mg 100g-1 para o triplóide 'Torp' a 257,80mg 100g-1 para o tetraplóide 'Teparod'. A média para flavonóides foi de 2,09mg 100g-1, variando de 0,85mg 100g-1 ('Maravilha' AAAB) a 6,63mg 100g-1 ('Teparod' ABBB). Para vitamina C, a média foi de 21,60mg 100g-1, variando de 8,60mg 100g-1 (tetraplóide 'Bucaneiro') a 76,82mg 100g-1 (tetraplóide 'Teparod'). A média do teor de carotenóides totais foi de 4,34mg g-1, variando de 1,18mg g-1 ('Champa Madras', triplóide ABB) a 19,24mg g-1 ('Saney', triplóide AAB). Os diplóides Modok Gier e NBA-14 apresentaram, respectivamente, quatro e cinco vezes mais carotenóides totais que as cultivares do grupo Cavendish ('Nanica', 'Willians' e 'Lacatan'). Esses resultados permitem concluir sobre a possibilidade da obtenção de cultivares com altos níveis de compostos funcionais por meio de cruzamentos e seleção. Cultivares com este perfil têm potencial como alimento funcional, ajudando a prevenir doenças, por meio da neutralização de radicais livres.The objective of this research was to determine the concentration of polyphenols, flavonols, vitamin C and carotenoid and in 61 banana accessions from Musa germplasm collection from Embrapa Cassava and Fruits, Brazil. Was detected significant differences for all characteristic analyzed in ANOVA. The average for polyphenols among the 61 accessions was of 38.06mg 100g-1, with variation of 12.51mg 100g-1 for the triploid 'Torp' to 257.80mg 100g-1 for the tetraploid 'Teparod'. The average for flavonols was of 2.09mg 100g-1, ranging of 0.85mg 100g-1 ('Maravilha' AAAB) to 6.63mg 100g-1 ('Teparod' ABBB). The average for vitamin C was of 21.60mg 100g-1, ranging of 8.60mg 100g-1 (tetraploid 'Bucaneiro') to 76.82mg 100g-1 (tetraploid 'Teparod'). The average of the total carotenoids was of 4.34g g-1, ranging of 1.18g g-1 ('Champa Madras', triploid ABB) to 19.24g g-1 ('Saney', triploid AAB). Diploids Modok Gier and NBA-14 exhibited 4- and 5-fold increased carotenoid content in comparison to the representatives from the Cavendish group ('Nanica', 'Willians' and 'Lacatan'). These results allow ending about the possibility of the obtaining new cultivars with high levels of functional compositions through crossings and selection. Cultivar with this profile has potential of neutralizing free radicals and to prevent diseases

Genetic diversity of carotenoid-rich bananas evaluated by Diversity Arrays Technology (DArT)

The aim of this work was to evaluate the carotenoid content and genetic variability of banana accessions from the Musa germplasm collection held at Embrapa Cassava and Tropical Fruits, Brazil. Forty-two samples were analyzed, including 21 diploids, 19 triploids and two tetraploids. The carotenoid content was analyzed spectrophotometrically and genetic variability was estimated using 653 DArT markers. The average carotenoid content was 4.73 �g.g-1, and ranged from 1.06 �g.g-1 for the triploid Nanica (Cavendish group) to 19.24 �g.g-1 for the triploid Saney. The diploids Modok Gier and NBA-14 and the triploid Saney had a carotenoid content that was, respectively, 7-fold, 6-fold and 9-fold greater than that of cultivars from the Cavendish group (2.19 �g.g-1). The mean similarity among the 42 accessions was 0.63 (range: 0.24 to 1.00). DArT analysis revealed extensive genetic variability in accessions from the Embrapa Musa germplasm bank