Comparison of the phenolic contents and epigenetic and genetic variability of wild and cultivated watercress (Rorippa nasturtium var. aquaticum L.)

Background: Epigenetic modifications are key factors modulating the expression of genes involved in the synthesis of phytochemicals. The knowledge of plant epigenetic and genetic variations can contribute to enhance the production of bioactive compounds. These issues have been little explored thus far in Rorippa nasturtium var. aquaticum L. (watercress), an edible and medicinal plant. The aim of the current study was to determine and compare the phenolic composition and epigenetic and genetic variations between wild and cultivated watercress. Results: Significant differences were found in the quantitative phenolic composition between wild and cultivated watercress. The eight primer combinations used in the methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) method revealed different epigenetic status for each watercress type, the cultivated one being the most epigenetically variable. The genetic variability revealed by the EcoRI/MspI amplification profile and also by eight inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers was different between the two types of watercress. The results of the Mantel test showed that the correlation between genetic and epigenetic variations has diminished in the cultivated type. Cluster analyses showed that the epigenetic and genetic characterizations clearly discriminated between wild and cultivated watercress. Conclusions: Relevant chemical, epigenetic, and genetic differences have emerged between wild and cultivated watercress. These differences can contribute to fingerprint and develop quality control tools for the integral and safety use and the commercialization of watercress. The richness of epialleles could support the development of tools to manipulate the watercress epigenome to develop high bioproduct­producing cultivars

Phytophagy of the predator Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas, 1851) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) fed on prey and Brassicaceae / Fitofagia do predador Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas, 1851) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) em diferentes brassicáceas

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the development and reproduction of the zoophytophagous predator Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) fed kale, broccoli and cabbage affects its. Nymphs and adults of this predator were fed on larvae of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) as prey with kale, cabbage, or broccoli. In the nymph period, the duration and prey consumption were similar with all the Brassicacea cultivar. However, nymph viability was higher for predators with broccoli leaves. The mean weight of 5th-instar nymphs, newly emerged females and the sex ratio were similar among the Brassicacea cultivars, while newly emerged males were heavier with kale and broccoli leaves. The supply of broccoli leaves resulted in greater oviposition, higher number of eggs per egg mass and longer longevity of P. nigrispinus males and females. Furthermore, the consumption of P. xylostella larvae by adult predators was higher with these cultivars. The net reproductive rate (R0) and mean generation time (T) were highest for predators with prey and broccoli leaves. The reproductive parameters of P. nigrispinus were enhanced when fed on P. xylostella larvae with and broccoli leaves, which can be an alternative diet in laboratory rearing of this predator.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o desenvolvimento e reprodução do zoofitófago Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) em couve, brócolis e repolho. Ninfas e adultos deste predador foram alimentados com lagartas de Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) como presa e receberam folhas de couve, repolho ou brócolis. Durante o período ninfal, a duração do período e o consumo de presas foram semelhantes com as diferentes cultivares de brassicácea. Porém, a viabilidade ninfal foi maior para predadores com folhas de brócolis. O peso de ninfas de quinto instar e de fêmeas recém-emergidas e a razão sexual de P. nigrispinus foram semelhantes entre as cultivares de brassicáceas, enquanto que o peso de machos recém-emergidos foi maior com folhas de couve e brócolis. Folhas de brócolis proporcionaram maiores número de oviposições, ovos por postura e longevidade de machos e fêmeas de P. nigrispinus. Além disso, o consumo de lagartas de P. xylostella por adultos desse predador fora maiores com esta cultivar. A taxa líquida de reprodução (R0) e o tempo médio de geração (T) foram maiores para predadores com presa e folhas de brócolis. Podisus nigrispinus alimentados com lagartas de P. xylostella e folhas de brócolis apresentaram melhores parâmetros reprodutivos, podendo ser uma alternativa para a criação deste predador em laboratório.

Anatomía e histoquímica de Tarenaya hassleriana (cleomaceae), especie de interés medicinal / Anatomy and histochemistry of Tarenaya hassleriana (cleomaceae), an interesting medicinal species

La decocción de la planta de Tarenaya hassleriana es utilizada en la región del Río de La Plata por sus propiedades como rubefaciente, digestiva, y antiescorbútica. El objetivo del estudio fue investigar caracteres de la hoja y tallo para identificar esta especie a partir de muestras enteras o fragmentadas. Se emplearon técnicas habituales de microscopia óptica y análisis histoquímico para identificar almidón, sustancias lipofílicas, fenólicas y mirosina. Los caracteres diagnósticos fueron: en la hoja, folíolos con venación eucamptódroma, con estomas anomocíticos presentes en ambas caras; tricomas glandulares uniseriados y pluriseriados, con cabezas unicelulares y pluricelulares conteniendo sustancias lipofílicas; mesofilo dorsiventral; en el tallo, la corteza primaria formada por varias capas de colénquima tangencial seguido de parénquima; el cilindro vascular secundario rodea la médula sólida, en cuyo parénquima se halló almidón, cristales poliédricos y esferocristales. Se detectaron idioblastos de mirosina en la epidermis y parénquimas de la hoja y el tallo. Los parámetros micrográficos descriptos garantizan una correcta identificación de T. hassleriana.

Plant decoction of Tarenaya hassleriana is used as a traditional medicine in the Río de La Plata area. It has rubefacient, digestive, and antiscorbutic properties. The aim of this study was to investigate leaf and stem microcharacters to identify this species from whole or fragmented samples. The usual techniques of optical microscopy were employed. Histochemical tests for starch, lipophilic substances, phenolic substances, and mirosina were used. The main differential traits were: leaflets with eucamptodromous venation, amphistomatic with anomocytic stomata type; uniseriate and pluriseriate glandular trichomes, with unicellular and pluricellular heads containing lipophilic substances; dorsiventral mesophyll; stem with a primary cortex formed by tangential collenchyma followed by parenchyma; the secondary vascular cylinder surrounding the pith with starch, polyhedral microcrystals and spherocrystals. Idioblast of myrosin were detected in the epidermis and parenchyma of leaves and stems. The micrographic parameters described ensure a correct identification of T. hassleriana.

Determination of cadmium, lead, copper and zinc in Yemeni khat by anodic stripping voltammetry

Trace element concentrations in khat were investigated as they can disturb trace element levels in the body. Cadmium [Cd], lead [Pb], copper [Cu] and zinc [Zn] levels in khat and 6 leafy vegetables commonly consumed in the Republic of Yemen were determined by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry after wet digestion of the organic matter. Khat had significantly higher concentrations of Cu and Zn than did the leafy vegetables, but similar amounts of Cd and Pb. The average daily intake of khat consumers of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn from khat only was estimated to be 2.0-10.2 micro g/day, 23.6-118.0 micro g/day, 530-2654 microg/day and 662-3311 micro g/day respectively. Although high, these values were within Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization tolerance limits

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Egyptian eruca sativa seed volatile oil

The percent yield of Egyptian Eruce sativa seeds volatile oil obtained by water distillation was 0.45%. The volatile oil components were separated and identified by gas chromatography / mass spectrometry. Twelve constituents were identified and found to be belonging to isothiocyanates group and nitriles group. The major constituent was 4- methyl thiobutyl isothiocyanates which represented 94.10%. Volatile oil was tested to evaluate its antioxidant activity.200 ppm and 400 ppm of Eruca sativa seeds volatile oil were added to sunflower oil. Stability of sunflower oil was determined by rancimat method, before and after addition of the volatile oil. Sunflower oil was also mixed with 200 ppm synthetic antioxidant agent [BHT]. oxidative stability was 6.8 hr, 16.8 hr, 7.4 hr and 14.9 hr for sunflower oil [control], Sunflower oil mixed with 200 ppm BHT, Sunflower oil mixed with 200 ppm volatile oil and sunflower oil mixed with 400 ppm volatile oil, respectively. The volatile oil was tested to evaluate its antimicrobial activity against some bacterial strains; namely Micrococcus spp.,Pseudomonas spp., Bacillus cereus and Enterobacter aerogenes. fungal Strains; namely Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus, as well as against the yeast, Sacchromyces cereviseae. The diameter of the zone inhibition was taken as a criterion of antimicrobial activity at different concentrations of the volatile oil, which had a significant effect against Micrococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp. and S. cereviseae