Aromatic Characterisation of Malvasia Odorosissima Grapevines and Comparison with Malvasia di Candia Aromatica

Malvasia odorosissima is an aromatic grapevine (Vitis vinifera L., 1753) variety that is often confused with Malvasia di Candia aromatica (Vitis vinifera L., 1753), despite the genetic information now available on the pedigree and genetic relationships linking the two varieties. In an effort to offer a contribution to fill this gap, also from an aromatic point of view, free and glycosylated aroma compounds were determined using the SPE extraction method, followed by GC-MS analysis in two consecutive vintages. The results have for the first time provided the aromatic characterisation of Malvasia odorosissima. Geraniol and its derivatives were the most abundant set of volatiles. In contrast to Malvasia di Candia aromatica and the other aromatic varieties, Malvasia odorosissima showed a very small amount of glycosylated volatiles, thus expressing its aromatic potential almost completely. The abundance of free terpenoids in the aromatic profile of Malvasia odorosissima, even higher than in Malvasia di Candia aromatica, is a main feature for the oenological exploitation of this variety, which is on the brink of extinction. In addition, the presence of rose oxides, found solely in Malvasia odorosissima, renders its aromatic profile more similar to that of White Muscat. This result is consistent with the parent-offspring relationship linking the two varieties that was recently ascertained

Role of TGF-β1 haplotypes in the occurrence of myocardial infarction in young Italian patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) gene play an important role in the acute myocardial infarction (AMI), however no investigation has been conducted so far in young AMI patients.</p> <p>In this study, we evaluated the influence of TGF-β1 polymorphisms/haplotypes on the onset and progression of AMI in young Italian population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>201 cases and 201 controls were genotyped for three TGF-β1 polymorphisms (G-800A, C-509T and Leu10Pro). The main follow-up end-points (mean follow-up, 107 ± 49 months) were death, myocardial infarction or revascularization procedures.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Significant risk factors were smoking (p < 10^-4), family history for coronary artery disease (p < 10^-4), hypercholesterolemia (p = 0.001) and hypertension (p = 0.002). The C-509T and Leu10Pro polymorphisms showed significant differences (p = 0.026 and p = 0.004) between cases and controls.</p> <p>The most common haplotypes revealed a possible protective effect (GCT, OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57–0.99, p = 0.042) and an increased risk of AMI (GTC, OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.13–2.02, p = 0.005), respectively.</p> <p>No statistical differences were observed in genotype distribution in the follow-up study between the two groups: 61 patients with subsequent events (13 deaths) and 108 without events.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Even though our results need to be further confirmed in larger studies, this is the first study reporting on a possible role of TGFβ1 common haplotypes in the onset of AMI in young patients.</p

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system polymorphisms: a role or a hole in occurrence and long-term prognosis of acute myocardial infarction at young age

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is involved in the cardiovascular homeostasis as shown by previous studies reporting a positive association between specific RAAS genotypes and an increased risk of myocardial infarction. Anyhow the prognostic role in a long-term follow-up has not been yet investigated.</p> <p>Aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the most studied RAAS genetic Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) on the occurrence and the long-term prognosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) at young age in an Italian population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study population consisted of 201 patients and 201 controls, matched for age and sex (mean age 40 ± 4 years; 90.5% males). The most frequent conventional risk factors were smoke (p < 0.001), family history for coronary artery diseases (p < 0.001), hypercholesterolemia (p = 0.001) and hypertension (p = 0.002). The tested genetic polymorphisms were angiotensin converting enzyme insertion/deletion (ACE I/D), angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AGTR1) A1166C and aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) C-344T. Considering a long-term follow-up (9 ± 4 years) we compared genetic polymorphisms of patients with and without events (cardiac death, myocardial infarction, revascularization procedures).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found a borderline significant association of occurrence of AMI with the ACE D/I polymorphism (DD genotype, 42% in cases vs 31% in controls; p = 0.056). DD genotype remained statistically involved in the incidence of AMI also after adjustment for clinical confounders.</p> <p>On the other hand, during the 9-year follow-up (65 events, including 13 deaths) we found a role concerning the AGTR1: the AC heterozygous resulted more represented in the event group (p = 0.016) even if not independent from clinical confounders. Anyhow the Kaplan-Meier event free curves seem to confirm the unfavourable role of this polymorphism.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Polymorphisms in RAAS genes can be important in the onset of a first AMI in young patients (ACE, CYP11B2 polymorphisms), but not in the disease progression after a long follow-up period. Larger collaborative studies are needed to confirm these results.</p

In vitro propagation of Italian cultivars of Vitis vinifera and evaluation of genetic stability by SSRs markers

An in vitro protocol has been carried out for an effective propagation of six cultivars of grapevine, 'Lambrusco salamino', 'Lambrusco di Sorbara', 'Lambrusco Marani', 'Trebbiano modenese', 'Ancellotta' and 'Malbo gentile'. Nodal segments from greenhouse growing vine-stocks were used as explants. Different medium compositions were tested and the explants could be initiated on MS and MS ½ media supplemented with 1.1 mg L-1 BA. Subsequent cultures were carried out by growing the shoots on MS with 1.1 or 0.55 mg L-1 BA; BA was shown to affect positively the shoot length when applied at the lowest concentration tested. MS media, supplemented with 0.5 or 1.0 mg L-1 IBA, with and without activated charcoal (AC), were used for adventitious root induction. Shoots of 'Lambrusco salamino', 'Malbo gentile' and 'Trebbiano modenese' rooted in all conditions with some qualitative differences. Rooting appeared to be greatly stimulated by 1 mg L-1 IBA plus AC in 'Lambrusco Marani', and without AC in 'Ancellotta'. In 'Lambrusco di Sorbara', a cultivar recalcitrant to rooting, we managed to stimulate the root formation on MS ½ supplemented with 1 mg L-1 IBA and deprived of AC. Genetic stability, evaluated at the third subculture, and analyses of nine microsatellite loci showed an unvaried genetic profile between micropropagated shoots and adult trees from which explants were taken

In vitro propagation of Italian cultivars of Vitis vinifera and evaluation of genetic stability of the micropropagated plants

Because of its geographic, historical and cultural complexity, Italy has always been a country rich in biodiversity and agronomic genetic resources. Despite the wine-producing industries are nowadays addressing to select and employ relatively few and very productive grapevine varieties, well-known in the international market, there is still a wide heritage of so-called “minor cultivars”, strictly linked to a specific geographic area. This requires pointed actions for exploitation and promotion of the regional genotypes and their in situ and ex situ conservation. The aim of the present study was to set up effective protocols to micropropagate grapevine varieties typically cultivated in Modena and Reggio Emilia provinces (Northern part of Italy), for the ex situ conservation of germplasm. Six varieties have been studied: three genotypes of Lambrusco (L. salamino, L. Sorbara and L. Marani), one cultivar with white berries, Trebbiano modenese, used for the production of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, Malbo gentile and Ancellotta. Winter branches with dormant buds were forced in a growth chamber at about 25°C, for a 12 h photoperiod. The developed green shoots were used as explants sources, consisting in nodal segments with a single axillary bud. Explants were placed in culture on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) and MS half strength (MS ½), added with sucrose (30 g L-1), agar (6 g L-1) and 1.1 mg L-1 of benzyladenine (BA). The genetic stability of the micropropagated plantlets was evaluated after three subcultures, analyzing nine microsatellite loci, commonly used as genetic markers of grapevine varieties and accessions. MS ½ demonstrated to prevent vitrification in three cultivars, L. Sorbara, Malbo gentile, Trebbiano modenese, and to increase the percentage of productive explants in L. Sorbara. A reduced concentration of BA (0.55 mg L-1), applied during the following multiplication phase, proved to promote shoots elongation in all genotypes, except Malbo gentile and L. Salamino. Three media with different indol butirryc acid (IBA) concentration and presence/absence of Activated Carbon (AC) were tested for rooting. Good results, in terms of percentage of rooted shoots, were obtained for each cultivar in all the tested culture conditions, although some modifications seemed to improve the root development: L. Sorbara showed an increase of rooted shoots when it was cultured on MS ½ and the addiction of AC in the culture medium prevented shoot browning in Malbo gentile, Trebbiano modenese and Lambrusco Marani. In vitro growing plantlets of the six cultivars showed the same profile as the adult trees from which explants have been taken, confirming the genetic stability of the micropropagated material

L’ABC delle Biotecnologie

l'articolo propone una rassegna dei pro e contro dell'utilizzo delle biotecnologie applicate al campo agrario e delle innovazioni tecnologiche e scientifiche che si stanno realizzando in questo settore

risorse genetiche della vite in Caucaso e nel Mar Nero.

La biodiversità viticola nelle regioni del Caucaso e del Mar Nero settentrionale è molto importante: queste aree sono da sempre riconosciute come uno dei centri primari di domesticazione (se non l’unico centro) per la vite e della nascita della viticoltur