Mating Disruption of Plodia interpunctella in Small-Scale Plots: Effects of Pheromone Blend, Emission Rates, and Population Density

An indoor mating disruption experiment was performed on the stored-product pest Plodia interpunctella. The female of this species emits a four-component pheromone blend consisting of Z9,E12–14 : OAc, Z9,E12–14 : OH, Z9,E12–14 : Ald, and Z9–14 : OAc. Mating of Plodia interpunctella was disrupted up to 93% by using synthetic pheromone in small-scale plot experiments. The study was performed in 2.5 m × 2.5 m × 2.5 m polythene cubicles housed in a greenhouse, and pheromones were released by MSTRS spraying every 15~min. The disruption effect was tested at different doses 0.075, 0.75, and 3.75 mg/spray (corresponding to 5, 50, and 250 g/min), different pheromone formulas (one-component (Z9,E12–14 : OAc) and four-component), and at different population densities (10, 20, and 30 individuals, equivalent to 0.32, 0.64, and 0.96 individuals/m²). The moths were released into the cubicles and recaptured 24 hr later. The females were checked for spermatophore presence indicating successful mating. The mating was significantly suppressed in all treatments compared to the control. There was, however, no difference in mating activity between the one-component and four-component disruptants. In addition, EAG measurements were conducted with a portable device to keep track of aerial concentrations of pheromone. The results show that the one-component formula disrupts mating as efficiently as the more complete four-component blend at doses applied in this study. This fact improves the prospects for mating disruption of indoor pyralids, since many pyralid species share the major component in their pheromones, and, thus, can probably be controlled simultaneously by using this compound only.     

Agricultural investment and international land deals: evidence from a multi-country study in Africa

Recent spikes in world food and energy prices have fostered renewed momentum for agricultural investment in lower and middle-income countries. Governments in some food-importing countries are promoting the acquisition of land overseas as a means to ensure long-term national food security. Businesses are recognizing new opportunities for strong returns from international investments in agriculture for food, fuel and other agricultural commodities. Dubbed ‘land grabs’ in the media, land-based investments have kindled much international debate, in which strong positions are taken on the impacts of such investments on environment, rights, sovereignty, livelihoods, development and conflict at local, national and international levels. Depending on how they are structured, agricultural investments may deliver local benefits and include small-scale producers in value chains, or carry environmental and social risks that fall disproportionately on local people. Vigorous public debate in recipient countries, effective screening of proposed investments, including robust environmental and social impact assessments, secure local land and resource rights, local voice in decision-making, skillfully negotiated and regulated contracts and effective policy incentives for business models that favor working with local farmers over large plantations can help make the renewed momentum in agricultural investment work for development.     

Mitochondrial Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetase and Disease: The Yeast Contribution for Functional Analysis of Novel Variants

In most eukaryotes, mitochondrial protein synthesis is essential for oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) as some subunits of the respiratory chain complexes are encoded by the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Mutations affecting the mitochondrial translation apparatus have been identified as a major cause of mitochondrial diseases. These mutations include either heteroplasmic mtDNA mutations in genes encoding for the mitochondrial rRNA (mtrRNA) and tRNAs (mttRNAs) or mutations in nuclear genes encoding ribosomal proteins, initiation, elongation and termination factors, tRNA-modifying enzymes, and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (mtARSs). Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) catalyze the attachment of specific amino acids to their cognate tRNAs. Differently from most mttRNAs, which are encoded by mitochondrial genome, mtARSs are encoded by nuclear genes and then imported into the mitochondria after translation in the cytosol. Due to the extensive use of next-generation sequencing (NGS), an increasing number of mtARSs variants associated with large clinical heterogeneity have been identified in recent years. Being most of these variants private or sporadic, it is crucial to assess their causative role in the disease by functional analysis in model systems. This review will focus on the contributions of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the functional validation of mutations found in mtARSs genes associated with human disorders.     

Characterisation and Antioxidant Activity of Crude Extract and Polyphenolic Rich Fractions from C. incanus Leaves

Cistus incanus (Cistaceae) is a Mediterranean evergreen shrub. Cistus incanus herbal teas have been used as a general remedy in traditional medicine since ancient times. Recent studies on the antioxidant properties of its aqueous extracts have indicated polyphenols to be the most active compounds. However, a whole chemical characterisation of polyphenolic compounds in leaves of Cistus incanus (C. incanus) is still lacking. Moreover, limited data is available on the contribution of different polyphenolic compounds towards the total antioxidant capacity of its extracts. The purpose of this study was to characterise the major polyphenolic compounds present in a crude ethanolic leaf extract (CEE) of C. incanus and develop a method for their fractionation. Superoxide anion, hydroxyl and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assays were also performed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of the obtained fractions. Three different polyphenolic enriched extracts, namely EAC (Ethyl Acetate Fraction), AF1 and AF2 (Aqueos Fractions), were obtained from CEE. Our results indicated that the EAC, enriched in flavonols, exhibited a higher antiradical activity compared to the tannin enriched fractions (AF1 and AF2). These findings provide new perspectives for the use of the EAC as a source of antioxidant compounds with potential uses in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Precision of T1-relaxation time measurements in the hepatic portal vein: influence of measurement technique and sequence parameters

Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine - To investigate the effects of a range of parameter settings on T1 measurement stability in the portal vein using the T1-mapping...     

Atmospheric distribution and long-range transport behavior of organochlorine pesticides in North America

Annually averaged concentrations and enantiomeric compositions of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in air were determined in 2000/2001 at 40 stations across North America using XAD-based passive samplers. Absolute concentration differences acrossthe continent, the skewness and kurtosis of the concentration distribution, the relative abundance of parent compound and metabolites, and the chiral signatures can identify regional sources of OCP to the atmosphere. Specifically, air samples collected in the southeastern United States had elevated concentrations of chlordane-related compounds, higher ratios of trans- to cis-chlordane and heptachlor to heptachlor epoxide, as well as higher enantiomeric fractions of trans-chlordane as compared to other regions, suggesting continued release of microbially unprocessed chlordane to the regional atmosphere. Similarly, greatly elevated concentrations of p,p'-DDT, low relative abundance of the metabolite DDE, and a racemic composition of o,p'-DDT in samples from southern Mexico and Belize indicate recent use of DDT in these regions. Belize is also a potential source region for dieldrin. Reflecting its continued use in North America, endosulfan is now one of the most abundant and ubiquitous OCPs in the continental atmosphere. In contrast to these OCPs, air concentrations of penta- and hexachlorobenzene vary only by factors of 2-4 across the continent, reflecting a long atmospheric residence time and few primary sources. Atmospheric levels of the chlorobenzenes, alpha-endosulfan, and p,p'-DDE increase with elevation in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Empirical travel distances for the OCPs derived from latitudinal concentration profiles are in good agreementwith model-derived indicators of long-range transport potential and, in particular, lead to a similar categorization of the OCPs. Large-scale passive air sampling networks are suitable for monitoring compliance with, and effectiveness of, regulatory control measures and for establishing experimentally the atmospheric long-range transport behavior of organic air pollutants.     

Recovery of volatile fruit juice aroma compounds by membrane technology: Sweeping gas versus vacuum membrane distillation

The influence of temperature (10–45 °C), feed flow rate (300–500 L/h) and sweeping gas flow rate (1.2–2 m³/h) on the recovery of berry fruit juice aroma compounds by sweeping gas membrane distillation (SGMD) was examined on an aroma model solution and on black currant juice in a lab scale membrane distillation set up. The data were compared to recovery of the aroma compounds by vacuum membrane distillation (VMD). The flux of SGMD increased with an increase in temperature, feed flow rate or sweeping gas flow rate. Increased temperature and feed flow rate also increased the concentration factors (C_permeate/C_feed) of the aroma compounds. At 45 °C the most volatile and hydrophobic aroma compounds obtained the highest concentration factors: 12.1–9.3 (black currant juice) and 17.2–12.8 (model solution). With black currant juice a volume reduction of 13.7% (vol.%) at 45 °C, 400 L/h, resulted in an aroma recovery of 73–84 vol.% for the most volatile compounds. Compared to VMD, the aroma recovery with SGMD was less influenced by the feed flow rate but more influenced by the temperature. Higher fluxes were achieved during concentration by VMD and this reduced the operation time, which in turn reduced the degradation of anthocyanins and polyphenolic compounds in the juice.

Industrial relevance

High temperature evaporation is the most widely used industrial technique for aroma recovery and concentration of juices, but membrane distillation (MD) may provide for gentler aroma stripping and lower energy consumption. This study gives important clues about the fate of berry juice aroma compounds and polyphenols during concentration by MD, and identifies the main factors influencing the aroma recovery efficiency with MD. Both SGMD and VMD are promising techniques for gentle stripping of berry juice aroma compounds and deserve further consideration as alternative techniques for gentle aroma stripping in industrial fruit juice processing.     

Growth promotion of Bifidobacterium species by poultry bone and meat trimming hydrolyzate

Abstract: The growth of bifidobacteria that are employed in the production of functional food is often slow or limited, even on synthetic media. In this study, we investigated whether a peptide hydrolyzate (functional animal protein [FAP]), from poultry bones and meat trimmings, could be a potential source of growth stimulators. The bifidogenic activity of FAP on 18 strains of Bifidobacterium species was assessed via 2 different techniques: turbidimetric measurements and a direct count by fluorescence microscopy. Growth experiments were performed in B12 broth as the basal medium, B12 broth supplemented with N‐acetylglucosamine, and B12 broth supplemented with FAP. FAP supplementation yielded the highest maximum optical density (OD) and count values. The use of the microscopic fluorescence counts allowed for better evaluation of the extent of growth and assessment of the viability of cells. FAP from poultry bones and meat trimmings has potential as a growth stimulator for different bifidobacteria of human origin. FAP is a promising ingredient for inclusion in industrial media that are used to culture probiotic strains, including bifidobacteria, because it supports growth very well and maintains cells at a high level of viability. Practical Application: Proteinaceous hydrolyzate can be considered a promising ingredient for industrial media that are used to culture probiotic strains, including bifidobacteria, because it improves bacterial growth and maintains cells at a high level of viability.