Pathogenicity of three species of entomopathogenic nematodes to some major stored-product insect pests

Entomopathogenic nematodes (Nematoda: Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae) are commonly used biological control agents of insects in cryptic habitats, but their potential for suppressing stored-product insects in these habitats has not been explored previously. Here, we provide data from the first step in a program to evaluate entomopathogenic nematodes in the genus Steinernema as biological control agents of stored-product pests by determining their pathogenicity to some of the major stored-product pest species. When evaluated against larvae, pupae and adults of six pest species (Plodia interpunctella, Ephestia kuehniella, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Tenebrio molitor, Tribolium castaneum, and Trogoderma variabile), and the adults of two additional pest species (Sitophilus oryzae and Rhyzopertha dominica), Steinernema riobrave was either the most pathogenic or of similar pathogenicity compared to S. carpocapsae and S. feltiae. A dose of 10 infective juveniles of S. riobrave caused 80% or higher mortality against larvae of P. interpunctella, E. kuehniella, T. castaneum, and O. surinamensis, pupae of T. castaneum and T. molitor, and adults of T. molitor and the two moth species. All stages of Trogoderma variabile exhibited 70% or higher mortality. Adults of S. oryzae and R. dominica exhibited low susceptibility with 15% and 35% mortality, respectively. On the basis of these results, S. riobrave was selected for further evaluation under more field-like conditions.     

Comparative study of the colorants monascus and cochineal used in the preparation of gels made with various gelling agents

The possibilities of using monascus to colour gels were studied by comparing it with cochineal. Gels were prepared with four gelling agents—carrageenan, gellan, gelatine and xanthan—and their colour was measured with a Hunter Lab colorimeter. The equations relating L^* and h with the concentrations of sugar [SU] and colorant [COL] were deduced, and it was found that [COL] had more influence on colour than [SU]. In general, for these four gelling agents the colour of monascus gels is orange-red and the colour of cochineal gels is purplish red. The gels made with xanthan were always the lightest, whether they were made with cochineal or with monascus.     

Characteristic Anthocyanin Pattern from Onions and other Allium spp

Three red onion (Allium cepa) cultivars, top onion (A. cepa var. vivi-parum), A. altaicum and chive (A. schoenoprasum) contained several or all of the following anthocyanins: 3-(6′-malonyl-3′-glucosylglucoside), 3-(3′,6′-dimalonylglucoside), 3-(6′-malonylglucoside), 3-(3′-malonyl-glucoside), 3-(3′-glucosylglucoside) and 3-glucoside of cyanidin. Trace amounts of two pelargonidin derivatives and the 3,5-diglucosides of cyanidin and peonidin were for the first time reported in red onion. Carbon NMR data showed that the sugars of the 3-(6′-malonyl-3′-glu-cosylglucoside), 3-(6′-malonylglucoside) and 3-glucoside of cyanidin were pyranoses. Substitution either by sugar or acid in the sugar 3-position of an anthocyanin has never been reported outside the genus Allium.     

Biologically active secondary metabolites of barley. IV. Hordenine production by different barley lines

Forty-three lines of barley, including ancestral (wild), landraces, Middle Eastern lines, and modern cultivars, were grown under two different sets of environmental conditions. Hordenine production in barley roots was determined at the one-leaf stage by HPLC analysis and, in two lines only, over a period of 35 days. Forty-two of the 43 lines produced significant amounts of hordenine, although there was no variation among groups. Middle Eastern lines had the highest production with 327 µg/g on a dry weight basis. Production was, however, determined more by environmental conditions during growth than by genetic factors. Hordenine production was up to seven times higher in plants grown under lower light intensities.     

Wastewater reuse and exposure to Legionella organisms

Eight hundred and fifty-two (852) blood sera were drawn in 1980 and 1981 from populations residing in 30 agricultural settlements (having a total population of 16,240). These sera were tested for the presence of antibodies against 15 different antigens of Legionella species (L. pneumophila serogroups 1–8 and seven other Legionella, i.e. bozemanii, gormanii, micdadei, jordanis, dumoffii, longbeacheae and oakridgensis). The results indicate a significant (P < 0.02) excess in the percentage of sera positive for L. pneumophila (serogroups 1–8) among sewage and non-sewage irrigation and fish pond workers as compared to the control group (4.5% vs 1.5%). For the other Legionella species, there was no difference among the above groups. The isolation of L. pneumophila serogroup 4 and five organisms resembling Legionella spp from one oxidation pond used for irrigation strengthens the seroepidemiological findings.     

Peptides to Tackle Leishmaniasis: Current Status and Future Directions

Peptide-based drugs are an attractive class of therapeutic agents, recently recognized by the pharmaceutical industry. These molecules are currently being used in the development of innovative therapies for diverse health conditions, including tropical diseases such as leishmaniasis. Despite its socioeconomic influence on public health, leishmaniasis remains long-neglected and categorized as a poverty-related disease, with limited treatment options. Peptides with antileishmanial effects encountered to date are a structurally heterogeneous group, which can be found in different natural sources—amphibians, reptiles, insects, bacteria, marine organisms, mammals, plants, and others—or inspired by natural toxins or proteins. This review details the biochemical and structural characteristics of over one hundred peptides and their potential use as molecular frameworks for the design of antileishmanial drug leads. Additionally, we detail the main chemical modifications or substitutions of amino acid residues carried out in the peptide sequence, and their implications in the development of antileishmanial candidates for clinical trials. Our bibliographic research highlights that the action of leishmanicidal peptides has been evaluated mainly using in vitro assays, with a special emphasis on the promastigote stage. In light of these findings, and considering the advances in the successful application of peptides in leishmaniasis chemotherapy, possible approaches and future directions are discussed here.     

Potential of Silver Nanoparticles in Overcoming the Intrinsic Resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Secondary Metabolites from Carnivorous Plants

Carnivorous plants are exemplary natural sources of secondary metabolites with biological activity. However, the therapeutic antimicrobial potential of these compounds is limited due to intrinsic resistance of selected bacterial pathogens, among which Pseudomonas aeruginosa represents an extreme example. The objective of the study was to overcome the intrinsic resistance of P. aeruginosa by combining silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with secondary metabolites from selected carnivorous plant species. We employed the broth microdilution method, the checkerboard titration technique and comprehensive phytochemical analyses to define interactions between nanoparticles and active compounds from carnivorous plants. It has been confirmed that P. aeruginosa is resistant to a broad range of secondary metabolites from carnivorous plants, i.e., naphthoquinones, flavonoids, phenolic acids (MBC = 512 µg mL⁻¹) and only weakly sensitive to their mixtures, i.e., extracts and extracts’ fractions. However, it was shown that the antimicrobial activity of extracts and fractions with a significant level of naphthoquinone (plumbagin) was significantly enhanced by AgNPs. Our studies clearly demonstrated a crucial role of naphthoquinones in AgNPs and extract interaction, as well as depicted the potential of AgNPs to restore the bactericidal activity of naphthoquinones towards P. aeruginosa. Our findings indicate the significant potential of nanoparticles to modulate the activity of selected secondary metabolites and revisit their antimicrobial potential towards human pathogenic bacteria.     

Response of rainfed bread and durum wheat to source,level and timing of nitrogen fertilizer on two Ethiopian Vertisols: II. N uptake,recovery and efficiency

In trials conducted at 2 highland Vertisol sites in Ethiopia in 1990 and 1991, 2 locally popular wheat cultivars, 1 spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and 1 durum wheat (T. durum Desf.), were supplied with nitrogen (N) fertilizer at 0, 60 and 120 kg N ha^–1 in the form of large granular urea (LGU), standard urea prills or ammonium sulfate. N was applied all at sowing, all at mid-tillering or split-applied between these two stages (1/3:2/3). While durum wheat exhibited the highest N concentration in grain and straw, bread wheat, because of its higher productivity, resulted in a greater grain and total N uptake. In general, split application of N and use of LGU as N source enhanced grain and total N uptake, apparent N recovery and agronomic efficiency of N, particularly under severe water-logging stress. Where significant, the interactions among the experimental factors substantiated the superior responsiveness of the bread wheat cultivar to fertilizer N, and the beneficial effects of split N application and LGU as an N source. Split application of N tended to nullify the positive effects of LGU, presumably by approximating the delayed release of N achieved with LGU. Considering the potential benefits to Ethiopian peasant farmers and consumers, split application of N should be advocated, particularly on water-logged Vertisols; LGU could be an advantageous N source assuming a cost comparable to the conventional N source urea.     

Dufour's gland and its role in secretion of nest cell lining in bees of the genusColletes (Hymenoptera: Colletidae)

The liquid secretion of the Dufour's gland in mated females comprises a mixture of macrocyclic lactones, straight chain mono- and dicarboxylic acids, together with trace amounts of di- and trihydroxy monocarboxylic acids and a series ofn-alkanes. Polymerization of the liquid to form the membranous nest cell lining, which also contains alanine and glutamic acid as major constituents, may be mediated by an enzyme from the thoracic salivary gland and voided via the mouth. The composition and structure of the cell linings are similar to those of Wigglesworth's cuticulin.