Durum Wheat in Conventional and Organic Farming: Yield Amount and Pasta Quality in Southern Italy

Five durum wheat cultivars were grown in a Mediterranean area (Southern Italy) under conventional and organic farming with the aim to evaluate agronomic, technological, sensory, and sanitary quality of grains and pasta. The cultivar Matt produced the best pasta quality under conventional cropping system, while the quality parameters evaluated were unsatisfactory under organic farming. The cultivar Saragolla showed the best yield amount and pasta quality in all the experimental conditions, thus proving to be the cultivar more adapt to organic farming. In all the tested experimental conditions, nivalenol (NIV) and deoxynivalenol (DON) occurrence was very low and the other mycotoxins evaluated were completely absent. These data confirm the low risk of mycotoxin contamination in the Mediterranean climate conditions. Finally, it has been possible to produce high-quality pasta in Southern Italy from durum wheat grown both in conventional and organic farming

Effect of water salinity and osmolytes application on growth and ornamental value of Viburnum lucidum L

The scarcity of good quality water frequently led to the use of saline water for the irrigation of ornamental shrubs. Therefore, their salt tolerance needs to be investigated, along with the possibility to counteract the effect of salinity exposure on plant growth and ornamental quality, possibly due to reduced growth, and nutritional imbalances. Under salt stress conditions, plants can activate mechanisms helping to withstand it, such as the production of several organic solutes that play a role in the osmotic adjustment. Aiming to this extent the exogenous application of osmolytes, such as glycine betaine (GB) and L-proline (L-P), has been tested on potted plants of Viburnum lucidum L. grown under saline irrigation. The experiment was designed as a factorial combination of two nutrient solutions (non-salt control, or 200 mM NaCl) and three osmoprotectant treatments (untreated, GB 2.5 mM, or L-P 5 mM application). Shoot and root biomass were negatively affected by salinity (-37 and -29%, respectively), but not the shoot/root ratio. A significant and positive effect of osmolytes application was found on the shoot biomass of plants treated with GB (+46%). Lateral sprouting total length per plant was also reduced by saline irrigation (-60%), but the GB application resulted in a significant increase (+102%). A positive effect of GB application was also found on the total leaf area (LA) per plant that was increased by 182% under saline conditions. Root/shoot ratio did not change with salinity. L-P application resulted in a significant increase of both shoot and root biomass per unit of LA (+40 and +85%, respectively) in comparison with the untreated control and GB

Root inoculation with Azotobacter chroococcum 76A enhances tomato plants adaptation to salt stress under low N conditions

Background: The emerging roles of rhizobacteria in improving plant nutrition and stress protection have great potential for sustainable use in saline soils. We evaluated the function of the salt-tolerant strain Azotobacter chroococcum 76A as stress protectant in an important horticultural crop, tomato. Specifically we hypothesized that treatment of tomato plants with A. chroococcum 76A could improve plant performance under salinity stress and sub-optimal nutrient regimen. Results: Inoculation of Micro Tom tomato plants with A. chroococcum 76A increased numerous growth parameters and also conferred protective effects under both moderate (50 mM NaCl) and severe (100 mM NaCl) salt stresses. These benefits were mostly observed under reduced nutrient regimen and were less appreciable in optimal nitrogen conditions. Therefore, the efficiency of A. chroococcum 76A was found to be dependent on the nutrient status of the rhizosphere. The expression profiles of LEA genes indicated that A. chroococcum 76A treated plants were more responsive to stress stimuli when compared to untreated controls. However, transcript levels of key nitrogen assimilation genes revealed that the optimal nitrogen regimen, in combination with the strain A. chroococcum 76A, may have saturated plant’s ability to assimilate nitrogen. Conclusions: Roots inoculation with A. chroococcum 76A tomato promoted tomato plant growth, stress tolerance and nutrient assimilation efficiency under moderate and severe salinity. Inoculation with beneficial bacteria such as A. chroococcum 76A may be an ideal solution for low-input systems, where environmental constraints and limited chemical fertilization may affect the potential yield

Phytochemical Responses to Salt Stress in Red and Green Baby Leaf Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Varieties Grown in a Floating Hydroponic Module

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is one of the most popular leafy vegetables, appreciated globally as a low-calorie food with bioactive compounds. The application of a low dose of abiotic stress is considered a sustainable pre-harvest strategy to modify the nutraceutical value of horticultural products. In this work, we explored the response of two differently colored (red or green) baby leaf lettuce varieties to four NaCl concentrations in the nutrient solution (from 1 to 30 mM), using a full factorial design. We focused on leaf morphological parameters and possible phytochemical enhancement of the main polyphenols and anthocyanins, analyzed by LC-MS. The response to low-to-moderate salt stress exposure was affected mainly by salt concentration for leaf traits or by the cultivar for leaf color, with very limited factors' interactions. Multivariate analysis indicated a predominant role of the genotypic factor in shaping differences in the two weeks growing cycle for baby leaf lettuce. Phytochemically, different dose–response models to sub-optimal saline conditions may be applied to the various compounds. A significant hormetic stimulation was present only for cyanidin-malonyl glucoside, the main anthocyanin present in the red cultivar

Novel Sortase A Inhibitors to Counteract Gram-Positive Bacterial Biofilms

Sortase A (SrtA) is a membrane enzyme responsible for the covalent anchoring of surface proteins on the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria. Nowadays it is considered an interesting target for the development of new anti-infective drugs which aim to interfere with important Gram-positive virulence mechanisms. Along the years, we studied the anti-staphylococcal and anti-biofilm activity of some natural and synthetic polyhalogenated pyrrolic compounds, called pyrrolomycins. Some of them were active on Gram-positive pathogens at a μg/mL range of concentration (1.5-0.045 μg/mL) and showed a biofilm inhibition in the range of 50-80%. [1-3] In light of these encouraging results, herein we present our efforts in the design and synthesis of novel pyrrolomycins. To dispose of sufficient amount for the in-depth in vitro investigation, we developed an efficient and easy-to-use microwave synthetic methodology. All compounds showed a good inhibitory activity toward SrtA, in accordance with the molecular modelling studies, having IC50 values ranging from 130 to 300 µM comparable to berberine hydrochloride, our reference compound. Particularly, the pentabromo-derivative exhibited the highest capability to interfere with biofilm formation of S. aureus with an IC50 of 3.4 nM. This compound was also effective in altering S. aureus murein hydrolase activity, responsible for degradation, turnover, and maturation of bacterial peptidoglycan and involved in the initial stages of S. aureus biofilm formation. [4

Regulated Salinity Eustress in a Floating Hydroponic Module of Sequentially Harvested Lettuce Modulates Phytochemical Constitution, Plant Resilience, and Post-Harvest Nutraceutical Quality

A mild salinity stress (eustress) may modulate the induction of the plant defense system in horticultural crops and the synthesis of phytochemical components able to enhance plant resilience, post-harvest performance, and the nutraceutical quality of produce. However, the choice of the correct eustress type and dose to induce the synthesis of these protective phytochemicals is pivotal to avoid potential interference with plant growth and productivity. In order to study how green and red lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plants equilibrate the nutritional and nutraceutical components of quality with yield components, we applied iso-osmotic concentrations of three different salts (20 mM NaCl, 20 mM KCl, and 13.3 mM CaCl2, with a final total ionic concentration of 40 mM) in combination with two successive harvests in a floating raft system. The biometric parameters, mineral composition, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity of both cultivars were analyzed. The green cultivar had a superior response concerning biometric traits and productivity compared to the red one during the first cut but lower phytochemical content (e.g., ascorbic acid). The effect of cut order, independently of cultivar and salinity treatments, demonstrated that at the first harvest plants could redirect metabolism by increasing the lipophilic antioxidant content (LAA) at the expense of plant yield, therefore increasing plant resilience and post-harvest nutraceutical quality; whereas, at the second harvest, plants reverted principally to tissue expansion. The treatments with iso-osmotic salt concentrations did not affect K and Mg ion contents but further increased LAA and resulted only in a moderate decrease of fresh yield. The lettuce nitrate content was reduced during the second cut only when lettuce plants were treated with NaCl and especially CaCl

Isoxazolo[3,4-d]pyridazin-7(6H)-one derivatives endowed with anti-proliferative Activity.

Isoxazolo[3,4-d]pyridazin-7(6H)-one derivatives endowed with antiproliferative Activity B. Maggio1, G. Cancemi1, D. Raffa1, M. V. Raimondi1, F. Plescia1, A. D’Anneo2,M. Lauricella3, G. Barone4, R. Bonsignore4, G. Daidone1 1. Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies Section, University of Palermo, ViaArchirafi 32, 90123, Palermo, Italy 2. Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Palermo. 3.Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Laboratory of Biochemistry, University of Palermo. 4. Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies, University of Palermo. [email protected] A screening carried out by NCI (Bethesda, USA) on compounds available in our laboratory,in order to ascertain their antiproliferative activity against a panel of 60 human tumor cell lines, allowed to discovery the 3,4-diphenylisoxazolo[3,4-d]pyridazin-7(6H)-one 1a [1] as an hit compound, often showing GI50values at sub-micromolar level. We synthesized some analogs of 1a, i.e.1b-gand other derivatives in which the NHgroup is variably alkylated, with the aim to obtain more active compounds as well as to perform structure-activity relationship(SAR) studies. We obtained a quite active antiproliferative compound, the 3,4-di-p-tolylisoxazolo[3,4-d]pyridazin-7(6H)- one 1d, and verified the importance for the antiproliferative activity of the aril, and not alkyl, groups linked to the isoxazolo-pyridazinone moiety. Studies performed on the cell cycle progression and on some cellular target (ATM, procaspase-2 proteins and H2AX histone) demonstrated that 1d produces an increase of the cell population in pre-G0/G1 and induces cellular death by apoptosis, damaging the DNA by double strand breaks. UV-vis titration and viscosity measurement showed that the compound is able to give an interaction with the B-DNA. 1. Renzi G., Dal Piaz V. (2004)Gazz. Chim. It.95: 1478–149

Sintesi di un isostero del 3,5-dimetil-6-fenil-8-(trifluorometil)-5,6-diidropirazolo[3,4-f][1,2,3,5]tetrazepin-4(3H)-one (CF3-TZP) con potenziale attività biologica

In un precedente lavoro abbiamo mostrato i risultati relativi alla sintesi ed all’attività biologica del CF3-TZP 1[1] (Figura 1). Le attività antiproliferativa e apoptotica del composto 1 sono state testate su differenti linee cellulari, HL60 sensibili, HL60-R (MDR), K562 e K562-R (resistenti al Gleevec®), mostrando un profilo di attività biologica similare sulle cellule sensibili e resistenti nel range di 21-40 µM per l’IC50 e 36-62 µM per l’AC50. L’analisi citofluorimetrica sulle K562 sensibili ha indicato che il composto 1 determina un arresto dose-dipendente del ciclo cellulare in fase G0-G1 nelle prime 24 h di trattamento, mentre nelle successive 24 h si è notato una riduzione del picco G0-G1 ed un incremento del picco apoptotico subG0-G1. Gli incoraggianti risultati biologici ci hanno spinto a continuare gli studi su questa tipologia di molecole sintetizzando l’isostero 2 (Figura 1) attraverso una lunga via di sintesi (15 steps). Attualmente, sono in corso i saggi biologici per valutare le attività antiproliferativa e apoptotica. Bibliografia 1 Maggio, B.; et al, Eur. J. Med. Chem., 2008, 43, 120

Progettazione e sintesi di nuovi derivati 4-chinazolinonici potenziali inibitori della diidrofolato reduttasi

I chinazolinoni sono composti eterociclici azotati che, insieme alle chinazoline, rappresentano degli importanti farmacofori in possesso di un ampio spettro di proprietà biologiche tra cui quella antitumorale. Recentemente sono stati riportati in letteratura dei derivati 4-chinazolinonici in grado di inibire in vitro l’enzima diidrofolato reduttasi (DHFR) con IC50 comprese tra 0.4 e 1.0 µM [1]. Allo scopo di progettare la sintesi di nuovi potenziali inibitori della DHFR, è stato condotto uno studio di modellistica molecolare considerando tale enzima come biotarget. Tale studio ha portato alla selezione di 42 nuovi derivati 4-chinazolinonici (Figura 1). Attualmente, sono stati sintetizzati 20 dei 42 nuovi derivati 4-chinazolinonici, che sono stati saggiati preliminarmente sulla linea cellulare K562. Il derivato più attivo ha mostrato una IC50 di 18 µM. Sono in corso saggi enzimatici per valutare in vitro l’inibizione dell’enzima DHFR. Bibliografia 1 Al-Omary F.A.M.; et al, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 2010, 18, 2849