Biofortification of Lettuce and Basil Seedlings to Produce Selenium Enriched Leafy Vegetables

Selenium (Se) biofortification of plants has been recognized as a good strategy to improve the nutritive value of vegetables and increase Se daily intake in humans. Identifying the most appropriate method to enrich plants is a key issue in the biofortification process. We tested a biofortification technique that produces Se enriched seedlings for transplant, yet barely modifies conventional cultivation techniques. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) were exposed to selenium by adding 0, 1 and 3 mg L−1 (lettuce) and 0, 2 and 3 mg L−1 (basil) of Se, as sodium selenate, to the growing substrate immediately after sowing. When seedlings reached an appropriate size, they were transplanted into the open field, and plants were grown until maturity. Lettuce and basil seedlings accumulated selenium without any reduction in leaf biomass at maturity. The highest dose of Se induced a higher antioxidant capacity and flavonoid content in both species at both sampling times. At maturity, biofortified plants still showed a higher leaf Se content compared to the control, and would be able to provide from 10% to 17% (lettuce) and from 9% to 12% (basil) of the adequate intake (AI) of Se

Effects of Selenium Enrichment of Tomato Plants on Ripe Fruit Metabolism and Composition

The effects of selenium (Se) addition on production and quality traits of Solanum lycopersicon ‘Red Bunch’ were investigated. Se was added as sodium selenate at the rate of 0, 0.5 and 1 mg Se L-1 to the nutrient solution. Se was absorbed by roots and accumulated in leaves and fruits, and at the tested concentrations, it did not affect yield. Se concentration followed a gradient, decreasing from the basal to the apical part of the plant. At red ripe stage, the fruits on the lower trusses accumulated higher amount of Se than the fruits of the higher trusses. ß-carotene and lutein significantly decreased only at 1.0 mg Se L-1. Lycopene increased either in 0.5 and, less markedly, 1.0 mg Se L-1-treated fruits where a pronounced increase in quercetin was also observed

Evaluating the function of wildcat faecal marks in relation to the defence of favourable hunting areas

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Ethology Ecology and Evolution on 2015, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/03949370.2014.905499To date, there have been no studies of carnivores that have been specifically designed to examine the function of scent marks in trophic resource defence, although several chemical communication studies have discussed other functions of these marks. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that faecal marks deposited by wildcats (Felis silvestris) serve to defend their primary trophic resource, small mammals. Field data were collected over a 2-year period in a protected area in northwestern Spain. To determine the small mammal abundance in different habitat types, a seasonal live trapping campaign was undertaken in deciduous forests, mature pine forests and scrublands. In each habitat, we trapped in three widely separated Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) cells. At the same time that the trapping was being performed, transects were conducted on foot along forest roads in each trapping cell and in one adjacent cell to detect fresh wildcat scats that did or did not have a scent-marking function. A scat was considered to have a presumed marking function when it was located on a conspicuous substrate, above ground level, at a crossroad or in a latrine. The number of faecal marks and the small mammal abundance varied by habitat type but not by seasons. The results of the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated that small mammal abundance and habitat type were the factors that explained the largest degrees of variation in the faecal marking index (number of faecal marks in each cell/number of kilometres surveyed in each cell). This result suggests that wildcats defended favourable hunting areas. They mark most often where their main prey lives and so where they spend the most time hunting (in areas where their main prey is more abundant). This practice would allow wildcats to protect their main trophic resource and would reduce intraspecific trophic competitio

Peranan Sel Punca dalam Penanganan Luka Kronis

Luka kronis terus menjadi tantangan besar yang sering membutuhkan tindakan bedah plastik. Selain morbiditas yang besar, luka ini dapat menjadi masalah besar yang membutuhkan banyak sumber daya kesehatan, terkadang membutuhkan lebih banyak biaya daripada penyakit yang mendasarinya. Di antara banyak metode baru, peranan sel punca dalam manajemen luka kronis perlu diteliti lebih lanjut. Artikel ini membahas penelitian-penelitian mengenai peranan sel punca dalam manajemen luka kronis, dan akan dijelaskan peranan sel punca dalam penyembuhan yang optimal.Chronic wounds is a major challenge in wound management that frequently need plastic reconstructive surgery. Besides the obvious morbidity, these problem can be a major drain on the already scarce hospital resources, more than the underlying disease itself. Many newer therapeutic methods are available, and the role of stem cells is an exciting area to be explored. A review of literature on the role of stem cells in the management of chronic wounds was done. The pathology of wounds and the possible role of stem cells for optimal healing would also be discussed

Production of selenium‐biofortified microgreens from selenium‐enriched seeds of basil

BACKGROUND:Microgreens (i.e. tender immature greens) are a popular alternative to sprouts (i.e. germinating seeds) because of their higher content of vitamins, carotenoids and phenols, as well as their lower content of nitrates. Their nutritional value can be improved by biofortification, which increases micronutrient levels during plant growth. Because selenium (Se) plays a significant role in antioxidant defense, biofortificationwith Se is a goodway of improving the nutritional quality of sprouts and microgreens. The present study investigated the production of Se-fortified microgreens from Se-enriched seeds of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Thesemicrogreens could be used as new beneficial dietary supplements. RESULTS: Basil plants were grown in a nutrient solution, containing 0 (control), 4 or 8mg Se L−1 as sodium selenate, to full maturity. Seeds accumulated a high amount of Se and were then used to produce microgreens. The germination index was higher in the seeds from Se-treated plants and the microgreens were enriched in Se. The antioxidant capacity of Se-fortified microgreens was higher compared to the control. CONCLUSION: The production of microgreens fromSe-enriched seeds could comprise a good system for obtainingmicrogreens with a high nutritional value. Basil plants treated with Se could be used to produce both Se-fortified leaves and microgreen

Uptake and partitioning of selenium in basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.) plants grown in hydroponics

Biofortification of edible crops with selenium (Se) may represent an alternative system for providing selenium in the human diet. The aim of the present study was to provide insights into the ability of basil plants grown in hydroponics to take up Se from the growth substrate, and to study the effects of Se concentration on plant growth and Se accumulation. The addition of sodium selenate at the rates of 4, 8 and 12 mg Se L-1 to the nutrient solution induced a dose-dependent increase in the Se uptake rate. Se was absorbed by the roots and translocated to the above-ground organs and accumulated particularly in the leaves, without affecting the biomass production of the plants. Se concentration increased during seedling growth, was highest in the younger leaves, and then declined before or upon flowering. The results clearly highlight the potential of selenizing basil shoots through the addition of selenate to the nutrient solution. This study provides crucial information for assessing the appropriate Se dosage in order to obtain the desired Se content in leaves, and the best harvest time to obtain the highest leaf Se concentration in basil. The addition of selenate to the nutrient solution could be an efficient system for providing enriched basil plants