Energy resources' utilization in organic and conventional vineyards: Energy flow, greenhouse gas emissions and biofuel production

An energy analysis, in conventional and organic vineyards, combined with ethanol production and greenhouse gas emissions, is useful in evaluating present situation and deciding best management strategies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the differences in the energy flow between organic and conventional vineyards in three locations, to calculate CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O-emissions based on the used fossil energy and to explore if wine industry wastes can be used to extract bioethanol. The data were collected through personal interviews with farmers during 2004–2005. Eighteen farmers, who owned vineyards about 1 ha each, were randomly selected to participate in this study [(3 conventional and 3 organic) × 3 locations]. The means averaged over all locations for fertilizer application, plant protection products application, transportation, harvesting, labor, machinery, fuels, plant protections products and tools energy inputs, total energy inputs, outputs (grapes), outputs (grapes + shoots), grape yield, man hour, pomace and ethanol from pomace were significantly higher in conventional than in organic vineyards, while the opposite occurred for the pruning. Means averaged over two farming systems for harvesting, tools energy inputs, energy outputs (grapes), grape yield, pomace and ethanol from pomace were significantly higher at location A, followed by location C and location B. Finally, for irrigation, the means averaged over the two farming systems were significantly lower at location C. Greenhouse gas emissions were significant lower in organic than in conventional vineyards. The results show a clear response of energy inputs to energy outputs that resulted from the farming system and location.     

Physiological and behavioral effects of coniferyl benzoate on avian reproduction

Various plant secondary metabolites related to cinnamic acid are of interest because of their repellency to birds and their occurrence in ecologically important food items. Coniferyl benzoate (CB), a phenylpropanoid ester that occurs in quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is of particular ecological interest because of its effect on ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) feeding behavior and its possible influence on the population dynamics of this bird. During detoxification processes, CB and other analogous compounds are metabolized into by-products, such as ferulic acid (FA), that can cause anti-reproductive effects. We tested whether consumption of CB produces antire-productive effects similar to FA using male and female Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix) as avian models for ruffed grouse. The parameters we investigated included: the production, morphology, and development of eggs; reproductive characteristics influenced by estrogen; serum prolactin levels; and male reproductive behavior. Dietary CB did not produce antireproductive effects similar to FA at intake levels that Japanese quail and ruffed grouse would freely consume. Consumption of CB by Japanese quail significantly reduced egg production and body mass but did not affect male reproductive performance. Coniferyl benzoate's effect on egg production may be explained by lower energy acquisition and retention rather than endocrine changes per se. Contrary to previous reports, it is unlikely that FA, or similar compounds act directly as estrogen mimics or antagonists. Although, CB did reduce egg production in quail, it is unlikely that it would affect egg production in wild ruffed grouse. Detoxification costs and the effects of CB on nutrient utilization may explain why ruffed grouse avoid high dietary levels of CB.     

重庆种植业灰水足迹核算及空间差异分析

用灰水足迹方法评价水环境变化,逐渐成为水环境及相关研究的热点之一。为了掌握重庆农业水环境状况,把灰水足迹与农业面源污染联系起来,首先核算重庆2007年种植业灰水足迹,然后对其空间差异进行分析。结果表明①重庆2007年的种植业灰水足迹为22.088 8亿m³;②重庆多数区县种植业灰水足迹密度差异不大;③重庆2007年的种植业灰水足迹强度东部高、西部低;④种植业水环境压力指数西部高、东部低,城市发展新区的13个区县种植业已对水环境造成污染。研究表明,重庆水环境保护要重视种植业产生的污染。     

转基因作物代谢组差异的协同性分析

转基因技术的应用十分广泛,尤其是用于获得具备优良性状的农作物新品种。但在转基因作物商业化推广的同时,农产品的安全问题一直备受关注。组学技术的不断发展,为转基因作物的安全评价提供了新方法。鉴于代谢组数据具有即时性和可获得性的特点,本文基于之前的研究,通过收集转基因作物代谢组方面文章的数据,对6种作物的野生型和转基因型样本的比较结果进行整合分析,通过显著性检验得到了8种代表性差异代谢物。代谢通路富集分析结果显示与这8种差异代谢物关联的蛋白质主要参与能量代谢过程,与已报道的单一物种转基因非预期效应的研究结果相同。该研究从代谢物和蛋白质两个方面说明转基因事件影响了这6种作物的能量代谢过程,并且该现象很可能普遍存在于多种转基因作物中。希望本研究结果可以为转基因农作物的安全评价提供参考。      

海洋放线菌天然活性产物的发掘

海洋微生物生活在高盐、高压、低温、低营养或无光照等特殊生境,造就了其种类的多样性和特殊性,能产生海洋微生物所特有的结构新颖、作用特殊的生物活性物质。在海洋微生物中放线菌具有较为复杂的发育分化过程,还能产生大量次级代谢产物。该文综述了近年来从海洋放线菌中筛选天然活性化合物的有效方法,包括优化培养基,改进培养方法和检测技术,运用基因组挖掘技术等。这些有效方法的运用使得从海洋放线菌中筛选生物活性物质具有广阔的开发应用前景。     

Furanocoumarins in vegetables: influence of farming system and other factors on levels of toxicants

Furanocoumarins are toxic chemicals that occur naturally in edible food plants such as celery, parsnip, carrot, etc. belonging to the Apiaceae family. Lower levels of these phytochemicals are also found in citrus fruits and other crops representing the Rutaceae family. Since their presence in the human diet represents a food safety issue of concern, more knowledge is needed to reduce consumer exposure. This paper provides an overview of various factors influencing the levels of furanocoumarins in vegetables and processed commodities. Special attention is paid to the comparison of crops from organic and conventional farming systems with regard to levels of furanocoumarins and their changes during storage and processing. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Metabolic and endocrine changes in response to endotoxin administration with or without oral arginine supplementation

This study was performed to investigate blood metabolite, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and hormone responses to intravenous administration of lipopolysaccharides (2 microg of endotoxin of Escherichia coli 026:B6/kg body weight at times of feeding) in veal calves orally supplemented with arginine (0.25 g/kg of body weight twice daily for 4 d; group GrA) compared with calves not supplemented with arginine (group GrC). Arginine supplementation alone caused a significant rise of plasma arginine, urea, and insulin concentrations, whereas glucagon concentrations tended to increase, but there were no significant group differences. Concentrations of triglycerides, NEFA, glucose, protein, albumin, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I, 3.5.3'-triiodothyronine, and thyroxine were not affected by arginine supplementation. Lipopolysaccharide administration alone caused a rise of tumor necrosis-factor-a, lactate, and cortisol concentrations and concentrations of tumor necrosis-factor-a after 1 h, and of triglycerides and urea after 6 h were higher, whereas of glucose after 3 h were lower in GrA than in GrC. Concentrations of NEFA, glucose, protein, albumin, insulin, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-I, 3.5.3'-triiodothyronine, and thyroxine were not affected by lipopolysaccharide administration. In conclusion, arginine supplementation had selective effects on plasma metabolites and hormones, but barely modified lipopolysaccharide effects. Effects of lipopolysaccharides in the postprandial state were different from what is usually seen in the fasted state.