Nitrogen determination on tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) seedlings by color image analysis (RGB)

In order to investigate the effectiveness of a new method based on color image analysis and the Minolta SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter for the diagnosis of nitrogen deficiencies of tomato seedlings, a field experiment was conducted. In this study, five levels of nitrogen fertilization were established so as to induce nitrogen deficiencies in tomato seedlings. Thirty-five days after sowing, total nitrogen was evaluated by laboratory analysis. The chlorophyll index was determined using a SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter. Also, color images were taken with a digital camera; the color images were processed in MATLAB in order to determine the averages of the red color, green color and the blue color. The relationships between variables were analyzed by linear regressions and a one way analysis of variance (p < 0.01). Results showed that color image analysis correlated better with the status of plant nitrogen than the SPAD. From the color image analysis, the red and blue colors were more accurate predictors of nitrogen status on plants with R2 above 0.89. Color image analysis provides an accurate and quick way for nitrogen estimation and can contribute for early detection of nitrogen deficiency in tomato seedlings. The SPAD method is not a reliable way to estimate the nitrogen status on tomato seedlings.Keywords: Color image analysis (RGB), chlorophyll meter, nitrogen deficiencyAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(33), pp. 5326-5332, 16 August, 201

Antioxidant and antimutagenic activities of <i>Acacia pennatula</i> pods

859-864Methanolic extracts of Acacia pennatula pods (MEA) were screened for antioxidant and antimutagenic properties by 1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2´-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Kado microsuspension assays, respectively. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents as well as HPLC identification and quantification of gallic acid and (+)-catechin were also carried out. MEA were capable of significant antioxidant capacity by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods. MEA inhibited > 80% mutagenicity induced either by 4-nitro-O-phenylenediamine or sodium azide. Thus phenolics-containing extracts of A. pennatula pods display biological activities with potential application in pharmaceutical and food sectors

β-Carotene Production under Greenhouse Conditions

β-carotene is a secondary metabolite that is a hydrocarbon carotene predominantly located in lower concentrations in PS II functioning as a helper to harvest light pigment during photosynthesis and to dissipate excess energy before damage occurs. As other carotenes, β-carotene is uniquely synthesized in plants, algae, fungi and bacteria. βcarotene is the main diet precursor of pro-vitamin A. Additionally, β-carotene serves as an essential nutrient and is in high demand in the market as a natural food colouring agent, as an additive to cosmetics and also as a health food. Several approaches have been carried out in order to increase β-carotene production in algae, bacteria, fungi and plants using biotechnological and engineering focuses. In the case of plants, such species as the tomato have important β-carotene contents, which are theoretically amenable to management using approaches such as fertilization, growth conditions and mild stress. On the other hand, greenhouse structures can protect crops from wind and rain, and can also protect from insects when fitted with insect exclusion screens. β-carotene production could potentially be improved and enhanced in greenhouse conditions in plants as well as in algae, based on the exclusion of the structure, and the possibility of controlling aspects such as climate, fertilization and stress management, among others. Production of βcarotene (and other secondary metabolites) from several organisms in greenhouse conditions should be an interesting future approach, visualizing the greenhouse as a “factory” in frontier technologies such as biotechnology and mechatronics in order to optimize this production

Estudios multidisciplinarios en Ciencias de la Salud

Es una distinción, como miembro de la Comisión del Programa del Doctorado en Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, presentar el libro titulado Estudios multidisciplinarios en Ciencias de la Salud, en el que distinguidos y reconocidos investigadores, entusiastas y comprometidos alumnos del programa nos dan a conocer los resultados de sus proyectos de investigación, trabajos que forman parte de los requisitos para acceder al grado de doctor. Entre las razones que invitan a la lectura del libro destaca su contenido conformado con la participación de autores en cuatro áreas en el campo de la salud: Odontología, Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición, Ciencias de la Conducta, y Enfermería y Obstetricia, quienes contribuyen a incrementar el acervo del conocimiento en cada área, en favor de la ciencia, la tecnología, y la salud física y mental de la población.Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México