Priming of seeds with INA and its transgenerational effect in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants.

Priming is a mechanism of defense that prepares the plant's immune system for a faster and/or stronger activation of cellular defenses against future exposure to different types of stress. This enhanced resistance can be achieved by using inorganic and organic compounds which imitate the biological induction of systemic acquired resistance. INA (2,6 dichloro-isonicotinic acid) was the first synthetic compound created as a resistance inducer for plant-pathogen interactions. However, the use of INA to activate primed resistance in common bean, at the seed stage and during germination, remains experimentally unexplored. Here, we test the hypothesis that INA-seed treatment would induce resistance in common bean plants to Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola, and that the increased resistance is not accompanied by a tradeoff between plant defense and growth. Additionally, it was hypothesized that treating seeds with INA has a transgenerational priming effect. We provide evidence that seed treatment activates a primed state for disease resistance, in which low nucleosome enrichment and reduced histone activation marks during the priming phase, are associated with a defense-resistant phenotype, characterized by symptom appearance, pathogen accumulation, yield, and changes in gene expression. In addition, the priming status for induced resistance can be inherited to its offspring.

Digestive activity and organic compounds of Nezara viridula watery saliva induce defensive soybean seed responses.

The stink bug Nezara viridula is one of the most threatening pests for agriculture in North and South America, and its oral secretion may be responsible for the damage it causes in soybean (Glycine max) crop. The high level of injury to seeds caused by pentatomids is related to their feeding behavior, morphology of mouth parts, and saliva, though information on the specific composition of the oral secretion is scarce. Field studies were conducted to evaluate the biochemical damage produced by herbivory to developing soybean seeds. We measured metabolites and proteins to profile the insect saliva in order to understand the dynamics of soybean-herbivore interactions. We describe the mouth parts of N. viridula and the presence of metabolites, proteins and active enzymes in the watery saliva that could be involved in seed cell wall modification, thus triggering plant defenses against herbivory. We did not detect proteins from bacteria, yeasts, or soybean in the oral secretion after feeding. These results suggest that the digestive activity and organic compounds of watery saliva may elicit a plant self-protection response. This study adds to our understanding of stink bug saliva plasticity and its role in the struggle against soybean defenses.

Applications of Bioinformatics to Plant Biotechnology.

Bioinformatics encompasses many tools and techniques that today are essential for all areas of research in the biological sciences. New databases with a wealth of information about genomes, proteins, metabolites, and metabolic pathways appear almost daily. Particularly, for scientists who carry out research in plant biology, the amount of information has multiplied exponentially due to the large number of databases available for many individual plant species. In this sense, bioinformatics together with next generation sequencing and 'omics' approaches, can provide tools for plant breeding and the genetic engineering of plants. In addition, these technologies enable a better understanding of the processes and mechanisms that can lead to plants with increased tolerance to different abiotic stress conditions and resistance to pathogen attack, as well as the development of crop varieties with improved nutritional quality of seeds and fruits.

Seed treatment for management of Meloidogyne javanica in soybean / Tratamento de sementes para o manejo de Meloidogyne javanica em soja

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the active ingredient abamectin, either in isolation or in combination with fungicides and insecticides formulated for the industrial seed treatment, on the population of Meloidogyne javanica, tested under greenhouse and in vitro conditions. In both tests, the combination of the following treatments was assessed: abamectin; thiamethoxam; fludioxonil + metalaxyl-M + thiabendazole. Water was used as control for the in vitro assay, whereas under greenhouse conditions, controls were inoculated and not inoculated with M. javanica. The tests were conducted in a completely randomized design with six (in vitro) and ten (greenhouse) replicates. For in vitro studies the effect on hatching, motility, and mortality of juveniles of M. javanica was evaluated. Under greenhouse conditions, the soybean BRS 133 seeds were treated, and at 15, 30, and 60 days after inoculation (DAI) with M. javanica, plant measurements were recorded. The penetration of second stage juveniles (J2) was also evaluated at 15 DAI. At 30 DAI, galls, egg masses, nematodes/g of root, and final population were evaluated. At 60 DAI, the final population of nematodes in the roots was quantified. The treatments containing abamectin were the most effective in diminishing the hatching of juveniles. All treatments had an effect on nematode motility when compared to the control, and in thetreatment containing only abamectin, total juvenile mortality was observed. In greenhouse conditions,at 15 DAI, the treated soybean plants had the highest root mass and shoot length, differing statisticallyfrom the inoculated control. All treatments reduced the number of nematodes per gram of root, differingfrom the control. At 30 DAI, treatment efficiency was observed in reducing the final population of M.javanica, particularly the treatments using abamectin, and abamectin + thiamethoxam + fludioxonil +metalaxyl-M + thiabendazole. However, at 60 DAI...(AU)

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência do ingrediente ativo abamectina, isolado ou em combinação com fungicidas e inseticidas formulados para o tratamento industrial de sementes, sobre a população de Meloidogyne javanica, in vitro e em casa de vegetação. Em ambos os ensaios, avaliou-se a combinação dos tratamentos: abamectina; thiamethoxam; fludioxonil + metalaxil-m + tiabendazol. Como controle utilizou-se água para o ensaio in vitro, e testemunhas inoculada e não inoculada com M. javanica, em casa de vegetação. Os ensaios foram realizados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com seis (in vitro) e 10 (casa de vegetação) repetições. In vitro, avaliou-se o efeito sobre a eclosão, motilidade e mortalidade dos juvenis de M. javanica. Em casa de vegetação, as sementes da cultivar de soja BRS 133 foram tratadas e aos 15, 30 e 60 dias após a inoculação (DAI) com M. javanica foram realizadas mensurações fitométricas das plantas. Avaliaram-se, também, aos 15 DAI a penetração de juvenis de segundo estádio (J2); aos 30 DAI avaliou-se galhas, massas de ovos, nematoides/g de raiz e população final; e aos 60 DAI quantificou-se a população final de nematoides nas raízes. Os tratamentos contendo abamectina foram os mais eficientes em diminuir a eclosão dos juvenis. Todos os tratamentos apresentaram efeito na motilidade dos nematoides com relação à testemunha, sendo que no tratamento contendo apenas abamectina foi observada, também, a total mortalidade dos juvenis. Emcasa de vegetação, aos 15 DAI, as plantas de soja tratadas apresentaram maior massa fresca de raiz ecomprimento da parte aérea, diferindo estatisticamente da testemunha inoculada. Todos os tratamentosreduziram o número de nematoides por grama de raiz, diferindo da testemunha. Aos 30 DAI, observouseeficiência dos tratamentos em reduzir a população final de M. javanica, destacando-se os tratamentosabamectina e abamectina + thiamethoxam + fludioxonil + metalaxil-m + tiabendazole. No entanto...(AU)

Recombinants from the crosses between amphidiploid and cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea) for pest-resistance breeding programs.

Peanut is a major oilseed crop worldwide. In the Brazilian peanut production, silvering thrips and red necked peanut worm are the most threatening pests. Resistant varieties are considered an alternative to pest control. Many wild diploid Arachis species have shown resistance to these pests, and these can be used in peanut breeding by obtaining hybrid of A and B genomes and subsequent polyploidization with colchicine, resulting in an AABB amphidiploid. This amphidiploid can be crossed with cultivated peanut (AABB) to provide genes of interest to the cultivar. In this study, the sterile diploid hybrids from A. magna V 13751 and A. kempff-mercadoi V 13250 were treated with colchicine for polyploidization, and the amphidiploids were crossed with A. hypogaea cv. IAC OL 4 to initiate the introgression of the wild genes into the cultivated peanut. The confirmation of the hybridity of the progenies was obtained by: (1) reproductive characterization through viability of pollen, (2) molecular characterization using microsatellite markers and (3) morphological characterization using 61 morphological traits with principal component analysis. The diploid hybrid individual was polyploidized, generating the amphidiploid An 13 (A. magna V 13751 x A. kempff-mercadoi V 13250)4x. Four F1 hybrid plants were obtained from IAC OL 4 × An 13, and 51 F2 seeds were obtained from these F1 plants. Using reproductive, molecular and morphological characterizations, it was possible to distinguish hybrid plants from selfed plants. In the cross between A. hypogaea and the amphidiploid, as the two parents are polyploid, the hybrid progeny and selves had the viability of the pollen grains as high as the parents. This fact turns the use of reproductive characteristics impossible for discriminating, in this case, the hybrid individuals from selfing. The hybrids between A. hypogaea and An 13 will be used in breeding programs seeking pest resistance, being subjected to successive backcrosses until recovering all traits of interest of A. hypogaea, keeping the pest resistance.

Corn-based vaccines: current status and prospects.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Corn is an attractive host for vaccine production and oral delivery. The present review provides the current outlook and perspectives for this field. Among seed-crops, corn represents a key source of biomass for food, fuel production, and other applications. Since the beginning of the development of plant-based vaccines, corn was explored for the production and delivery of vaccines. About a dozen of pathogens have been studied under this technology with distinct degrees of development. A vaccine prototype against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli was evaluated in a phase I clinical trial and several candidates targeting bacterial and viral diseases are under preclinical evaluation. The present review provides an updated outlook on this topic highlighting the employed expression strategies; perspectives for the field are also provided.

Seed treatment for management of Meloidogyne javanica in soybean / Tratamento de sementes para o manejo de Meloidogyne javanica em soja

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the active ingredient abamectin, either in isolation or in combination with fungicides and insecticides formulated for the industrial seed treatment, on the population of Meloidogyne javanica, tested under greenhouse and in vitro conditions. In both tests, the combination of the following treatments was assessed: abamectin; thiamethoxam; fludioxonil + metalaxyl-M + thiabendazole. Water was used as control for the in vitro assay, whereas under greenhouse conditions, controls were inoculated and not inoculated with M. javanica. The tests were conducted in a completely randomized design with six (in vitro) and ten (greenhouse) replicates. For in vitro studies the effect on hatching, motility, and mortality of juveniles of M. javanica was evaluated. Under greenhouse conditions, the soybean BRS 133 seeds were treated, and at 15, 30, and 60 days after inoculation (DAI) with M. javanica, plant measurements were recorded. The penetration of second stage juveniles (J2) was also evaluated at 15 DAI. At 30 DAI, galls, egg masses, nematodes/g of root, and final population were evaluated. At 60 DAI, the final population of nematodes in the roots was quantified. The treatments containing abamectin were the most effective in diminishing the hatching of juveniles. All treatments had an effect on nematode motility when compared to the control, and in thetreatment containing only abamectin, total juvenile mortality was observed. In greenhouse conditions,at 15 DAI, the treated soybean plants had the highest root mass and shoot length, differing statisticallyfrom the inoculated control. All treatments reduced the number of nematodes per gram of root, differingfrom the control. At 30 DAI, treatment efficiency was observed in reducing the final population of M.javanica, particularly the treatments using abamectin, and abamectin + thiamethoxam + fludioxonil +metalaxyl-M + thiabendazole. However, at 60 DAI...

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a eficiência do ingrediente ativo abamectina, isolado ou em combinação com fungicidas e inseticidas formulados para o tratamento industrial de sementes, sobre a população de Meloidogyne javanica, in vitro e em casa de vegetação. Em ambos os ensaios, avaliou-se a combinação dos tratamentos: abamectina; thiamethoxam; fludioxonil + metalaxil-m + tiabendazol. Como controle utilizou-se água para o ensaio in vitro, e testemunhas inoculada e não inoculada com M. javanica, em casa de vegetação. Os ensaios foram realizados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com seis (in vitro) e 10 (casa de vegetação) repetições. In vitro, avaliou-se o efeito sobre a eclosão, motilidade e mortalidade dos juvenis de M. javanica. Em casa de vegetação, as sementes da cultivar de soja BRS 133 foram tratadas e aos 15, 30 e 60 dias após a inoculação (DAI) com M. javanica foram realizadas mensurações fitométricas das plantas. Avaliaram-se, também, aos 15 DAI a penetração de juvenis de segundo estádio (J2); aos 30 DAI avaliou-se galhas, massas de ovos, nematoides/g de raiz e população final; e aos 60 DAI quantificou-se a população final de nematoides nas raízes. Os tratamentos contendo abamectina foram os mais eficientes em diminuir a eclosão dos juvenis. Todos os tratamentos apresentaram efeito na motilidade dos nematoides com relação à testemunha, sendo que no tratamento contendo apenas abamectina foi observada, também, a total mortalidade dos juvenis. Emcasa de vegetação, aos 15 DAI, as plantas de soja tratadas apresentaram maior massa fresca de raiz ecomprimento da parte aérea, diferindo estatisticamente da testemunha inoculada. Todos os tratamentosreduziram o número de nematoides por grama de raiz, diferindo da testemunha. Aos 30 DAI, observouseeficiência dos tratamentos em reduzir a população final de M. javanica, destacando-se os tratamentosabamectina e abamectina + thiamethoxam + fludioxonil + metalaxil-m + tiabendazole. No entanto...

Diallel analysis to choose parents for black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) breeding.

In this study, conducted in two different seasons, we aimed to choose parents to obtain promising segregating populations for the extraction of black bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) lines that are superior in terms of disease resistance, plant architecture, and grain yield. Twelve parents were arranged in two groups to compose a partial diallel in a 5 x 7 scheme. Group 1 was composed of parents with black grains and erect plant architecture, while group 2 was composed of parents that had carioca grains and were resistant to the main fungal diseases that occur in the common bean. The following traits were evaluated: severity of angular leaf spot (ALS), plant architecture (PAG), and grain yield (YIELD). The data were analyzed according to a partial diallel model using parents and F1 hybrids. In the genetic control of ALS and PAG, additive effects were predominant, while for YIELD, additive effects were predominant in one season and dominance effects were in another season, because it is a more complex trait than ALS and PAG. For YIELD, we observed an interaction between general combining ability and specific combining ability between seasons. The genes that control ALS, PAG, and YIELD were in eight of the 12 parents evaluated in the diallel. The cultivar 'BRS Estilo' is suitable to use as a parent in common bean breeding in terms of ALS, PAG and YIELD. Recurrent selection is the most recommended option for simultaneously breeding for PAG, YIELD, and resistance to angular leaf spot in bean culture.

Tobacco seeds as efficient production platform for a biologically active anti-HBsAg monoclonal antibody.

The use of plants as heterologous hosts is one of the most promising technologies for manufacturing valuable recombinant proteins. Plant seeds, in particular, constitute ideal production platforms for long-term applications requiring a steady supply of starting material, as they combine the general advantages of plants as bioreactors with the possibility of biomass storage for long periods in a relatively small volume, thus allowing manufacturers to decouple upstream and downstream processing. In the present work we have used transgenic tobacco seeds to produce large amounts of a functionally active mouse monoclonal antibody against the Hepatitis B Virus surface antigen, fused to a KDEL endoplasmic reticulum retrieval motif, under control of regulatory sequences from common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seed storage proteins. The antibody accumulated to levels of 6.5 mg/g of seed in the T3 generation, and was purified by Protein A affinity chromatography combined with SEC-HPLC. N-glycan analysis indicated that, despite the KDEL signal, the seed-derived plantibody bore both high-mannose and complex-type sugars that indicate partial passage through the Golgi compartment, although its performance in the immunoaffinity purification of HBsAg was unaffected. An analysis discussing the industrial feasibility of replacing the currently used tobacco leaf-derived plantibody with this seed-derived variant is also presented.

The distribution of fruit and seed toxicity during development for eleven neotropical trees and vines in Central Panama.

Secondary compounds in fruit mediate interactions with natural enemies and seed dispersers, influencing plant survival and species distributions. The functions of secondary metabolites in plant defenses have been well-studied in green tissues, but not in reproductive structures of plants. In this study, the distribution of toxicity within plants was quantified and its influence on seed survival was determined in Central Panama. To investigate patterns of allocation to chemical defenses and shifts in allocation with fruit development, I quantified variation in toxicity between immature and mature fruit and between the seed and pericarp for eleven species. Toxicity of seed and pericarp was compared to leaf toxicity for five species. Toxicity was measured as reduced hyphal growth of two fungal pathogens, Phoma sp. and Fusarium sp., and reduced survivorship of brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana, across a range of concentrations of crude extract. I used these measures of potential toxicity against generalist natural enemies to examine the effect of fruit toxicity on reductions of fruit development and seed survival by vertebrates, invertebrates, and pathogens measured for seven species in a natural enemy removal experiment. The seed or pericarp of all vertebrate- and wind-dispersed species reduced Artemia survivorship and hyphal growth of Fusarium during the immature and mature stages. Only mature fruit of two vertebrate-dispersed species reduced hyphal growth of Phoma. Predispersal seed survival increased with toxicity of immature fruit to Artemia during germination and decreased with toxicity to fungi during fruit development. This study suggests that fruit toxicity against generalist natural enemies may be common in Central Panama. These results support the hypothesis that secondary metabolites in fruit have adaptive value and are important in the evolution of fruit-frugivore interactions.

Genetic mapping of microsatellite markers around the arcelin bruchid resistance locus in common bean.

The deployment in common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) of arcelin-based bruchid resistance could help reduce post-harvest storage losses to the Mexican bean weevil [(Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman)]. Arcelin is a member of the arcelin-phytohemagglutinin-alpha-amylase inhibitor (APA) family of seed proteins, which has been extensively studied but not widely used in bean breeding programs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate microsatellite markers for genetic analysis of arcelin-based bruchid resistance and to determine the orientation of markers and the rate of recombination around the APA locus. A total of 10 previously developed microsatellites and 22 newly developed markers based on a sequenced BAC from the APA locus were screened for polymorphism and of these 15 were mapped with an F(2) population of 157 individuals resulting from a susceptible x resistant cross of SEQ1006 x RAZ106 that segregated for both the arcelin 1 allele and resistance to the bruchid, Z. subfasciatus. Microsatellites derived from APA gene sequences were linked within 0.8 cM of each other and were placed relative to the rest of the b04 linkage group. In a comparison of genetic to physical distance on the BAC sequence, recombination was found to be moderate with a ratio of 125 kb/cM, but repressed within the APA locus itself. Several markers were predicted to be very effective for genetic studies or marker-assisted selection, based on their significant associations with bruchid resistance and on low adult insect emergence and positions flanking the arcelin and phytohemagglutinin genes.

A new 2S albumin from Jatropha curcas L. seeds and assessment of its allergenic properties.

Significant effort has been made world-wide to boost biofuels with the expectation of a positive contribution to renewable fuel and greenhouse gas reduction. Jatropha curcas L. has proved to be an opportunistic crop in tropical areas, particularly in unfavorable environments. For this reason, analyses of toxicity and allergy caused by its seeds and pollen are necessary. A 12kDa, allergenic 2S albumin, denoted Jat c 1, was isolated from Physic nut (J. curcas) seeds. Jat c 1 binds IgE attached to rat mast cells, inducing histamine release. It also showed strong cross-reactivity with the major allergens from castor bean, Ric c 1 and Ric c 3.

Superação da resistência qualitativa da cultivar de trigo "BRS 194" por uma nova raça de Puccinia triticina / Breakdown of qualitative leaf rust resistance in the wheat cultivar 'BRS 194' by a new race of Puccinia triticina

A população de Puccinia triticina, agente causal da ferrugem da folha do trigo, é extremamente dinâmica na região do Cone Sul da América do Sul, onde o surgimento de novas raças é freqüente. A cultivar de trigo "BRS 194" foi a segunda variedade com maior disponibilidade de sementes para plantio no Rio Grande do Sul e em Santa Catarina em 2005, por apresentar características como rusticidade, elevado rendimento de grãos e resistência qualitativa a todas as raças de P. triticina ocorrentes no Brasil e em outros países da América do Sul. Em 2005, pústulas de ferrugem da folha foram observadas sobre plantas desta cultivar, tanto em lavouras quanto em campos experimentais, indicando a possível superação de sua resistência. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar a raça de P. triticina presente em amostras oriundas de "BRS 194" e verificar se esta se tratava de uma nova virulência do patógeno, a qual teria superado sua resistência. Oito amostras de ferrugem provenientes da cultivar "BRS 194" foram enviadas em 2005 à Embrapa Trigo, Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, para isolamento e identificação por meio da Série Internacional de Hospedeiros Diferenciais específica para este patógeno. Todas as amostras apresentaram a mesma combinação de virulência, a qual correspondeu ao código MFP-CT, conforme o Sistema Norte-Americano de nomenclatura do patógeno. Esta foi a primeira vez que este código foi detectado no Brasil, caracterizando o surgimento de uma nova raça de P. triticina virulenta à "BRS 194". Outras cultivares de trigo, também amplamente semeadas, foram inoculadas com a nova raça, sendo que algumas foram suscetíveis e outras resistentes. Entre as cultivares resistentes estão "Fundacep 30" e "IPR 84", as quais permanecem também resistentes a todas as raças do patógeno ocorrentes no Brasil.(AU)

The population of Puccinia triticina, the causal agent of wheat leaf rust, is extremely dynamic in the South Cone region of South America, where the appearance of new races is frequent. The wheat cultivar 'BRS 194' was the second variety in availability of seeds for planting in Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina States in 2005, because it has good agronomic characteristics as rusticity, high yield and resistance to all races of P. triticina occurring in Brazil and other countries in South America. In 2005, pustules of leaf rust were observed in this cultivar on farms and in experimental fields, indicating the probable breakdown of its resistance. The objective of this research was to identify the race of P. triticina present in samples from 'BRS 194' and verify if it was a new virulence of the pathogen able to overcome its resistance. Eight samples of leaf rust from 'BRS 194' were sent to Embrapa - National Wheat Research Center, Passo Fundo, Brazil for isolation and identification in International Sets of Differential Hosts specific for this pathogen. All samples showed the same virulence combination, which corresponded to MFP-CT according to the North-American System of nomenclature for the pathogen's races. That was the first time that this letter code was detected in Brazil, characterizing the emergence of a new race of P. triticina virulent to 'BRS 194'. Other popular varieties were inoculated with the new race, some were susceptible and others were resistant. Among the resistant cultivars were 'Fundacep 30' and 'IPR 84', which also remain resistant to all races of the pathogen occurring in Brazil.(AU)

Allergen cross-reactivity between proteins of the latex from Hevea brasiliensis, seeds and pollen of Ricinus communis, and pollen of Mercurialis annua, members of the Euphorbiaceae family.

Allergen cross-reactions among three strongly sensitizing Euphorbiaceae species, i.e., the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), castor bean (Ricinus communis), and the Mediterranean weed Mercurialis annua were studied in Finnish patients (n = 25) allergic to natural rubber latex (NRL), but with no known exposure to castor bean or M. annua, and French patients allergic to castor bean (n = 26) or to M. annua (n = 9), but not to NRL. In immunoglobulin E (IgE)-immunoblotting, 28% of NRL-allergic patient sera recognized castor bean seed and 48% reacted to castor bean pollen proteins. Likewise, 35% of the NRL-allergic patient sera bound to M. annua pollen allergens. Nineteen percent of castor bean-allergic patients showed IgE to NRL and 8% to M. annua proteins. Sera from patients allergic to M. annua reacted in 44% to NRL, in 56% to castor bean seed, and in 78% to castor bean pollen proteins. In immunoblotting, castor bean seed extract inhibited the binding of NRL-reactive IgE to 20 kDa, 30 kDa of NRL, and 55 kDa of proteins; NRL extract, in turn, inhibited the binding of castor bean-reactive IgE to 14, 21-22, 29, and 32-34 kDa of castor bean proteins. In ELISA inhibition, NRL extract inhibited 33% of the binding of M. annua--reactive IgE of pooled sera to M. annua pollen. In conclusion, allergen cross-reactivity in vitro was observed among three botanically related Euphorbiaceae members, H. brasiliensis, R. communis, and M. annua, but the molecular specificity of the observed cross-reactions as well as their clinical significance remains to be elucidated. Allergen cross-reactivity should be taken into account in diagnostic work.

Chemical basis of the resistance of barley seeds to pathogenic fungi.

The 5-(n)-alkylresorcinol fraction of the epicuticular waxes of Hordeum vulgare seeds appeared to be responsible for their in-born resistance to pathogenic fungi such as Aspergillus niger and Penicillium crysogenum. The antifungal properties of this fraction were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively with a novel bioassay where the extreme lipophilicity of these compounds was taken into account. The minimum inhibitory concentration in the fungi tested ranged from 5.6 to 10 micrograms cm-2 for the alkyresorcinols. The behaviour of the different cultivars against these fungi could be predicted by measuring the natural amount of resorcinols of each variety by TLC-scanning densitometry. The ranking of cultivars thus established correlated well with the field behaviour of each cultivar, providing a useful and rapid method for predicting the behaviour against fungi of new varieties being developed.

Nuevas fuentes de lectinas para la diferenciación entre Trypanosoma cruzi y T. rangeli / Further sources of lectins for differentiation between Trypanosoma cruzi y T. rangeli

Os extratos de 176 espécies de sementes de plantas colombianas, correspondentes a 49 famílias e 147 gêneros foram testados para detectar a presença de aglutininas frente a hemácias humanas dos grupos A+, B+, O+ e de cachorro, cavalo e coelho. Os extratos que apresentaram alguma atividade hemaglutinante, foram usados para testar a aglutinaçao de Trypanosoma cruzi e T. rangeli. Além disso, a hemolinfa de 16 espécies nativas de invertebrados foram testadas nas mesmas condiçoes. Diluiçoes seriadas dos extratos foram usadas para as aglutinaçoes. Ambas epimastigotas de T. cruzi e T. rangeli foram aglutinadas com os extratos de sete sementes de plantas diferentes e com dois tipos de hemolinfa de invertebrados. As sementes de cinco plantas aglutinaram exclusivamente as epimastigotas de T. cruzi podendo assim ser usadas para a diferenciaçao entre as formas de cultura desses tripanossomos. A secreçao do pulmao do caramujo (Bulimus sp.) lisou completamente as epimastigotas de T. cruzi mas nao afetou as formas de T. rangeli. Nao foram encontrados extratos que aglutinaram ou lisaram exclusivamente as epimastigotas de T. rangeli.

Isolation and partial characterization of antigen 5.1 from the seeds of Ricinus communis, L. (Var. Amarelo de Irece).

Antigen 5.1 was isolated from the most acidic fraction of castor bean allergens (CB-1A) by gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 followed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) (yield: 6.2 mg antigen 5.1/g CB-1A). This antigen was homogeneous by the criteria of PAGE, isoelectric focusing, SDS-PAGE, immunoelectrophoresis and gel filtration. The antigen has an apparent molecular mass of 12 +/- 2 kDa and an isoelectric point of pH 5.1. Antigen 5.1 lacks proline, phenylalanine, threonine and tryptophan. It was immunochemically identical to one of the three immunoprecipitation lines presented by CB-1A by the Ouchterlony technique, and was positive when tested (250 micrograms) by IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in LOU.M rats.