Chemical parameters and ruminal disappearance of Secale cereale rye forage in different harvest systems with or without fungicide / Parâmetros bromatológicos e desaparecimento ruminal da forragem do centeio Secale cereale em diferentes sistemas de corte com ou sem fungicida

The objective of the study was to evaluate the chemical parameters and the ruminal disappearance of dry matter of forage from the rye Secale cereale, cv. Temprano managed in different harvest regimes at the vegetative stage, with or without application of a fungicide based on Fluxapyroxade + Piraclostrobin at the pre-flowering stage. This was a randomized block experimental design and the treatments consisted of evaluating the forage harvested at floury grain stage, as follow, SCSF: no cut at the vegetative stage, no application of fungicide; SCCF: no cut at the vegetative stage with fungicide application; UCSF: one cut at the vegetative stage, no application of fungicide; UCCF: one cut with fungicide application; DCSF: two cuts at the vegetative stage, no fungicide application; DCCF: two cuts with fungicide application. In general, one cut at the vegetative stage and a subsequent cut for ensiling at floury grain stage was the best system used in cv. Temprano, based on the chemical parameters and ruminal disappearance. This system provided a better composition of fiber carbohydrates with lower contents of Acid Detergent Fiber (41.55%) and Lignin (10.79%) after cutting and resulted in a better disappearance rate of dry matter at the rumen level (0.46 %) per hour of exposure, highlighting the cut at the vegetative stage that produced a material with 20.76% Crude Protein and 52.69% Neutral Detergent showing its nutritional quality for use in grazing land or as haylage. The application of fungicide provided significant improvements in the contents of crude protein (8.24% vs 7.23%) and mineral matter (3.02% vs 2.82%) of the plant at the time of ensiling, which generated better dry matter disappearance rates in the rumen.(AU)

O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar os parâmetros bromatológicos e o desaparecimento ruminal da matéria seca da foragem de centeio Secale cereale, cv. Temprano manejado em diferentes regimes de cortes no estádio vegetativo, com ou sem aplicação de fungicida a base de Fluxapiroxade + Piraclostrobina no estádio de pré-florescimento. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso e os tratamentos constaram da avaliação das forragens colhidas no estádio de grão farináceo, sendo SCSF: sem corte no vegetativo e sem aplicação de fungicida; SCCF: sem corte no vegetativo com aplicação de fungicida; UCSF: um corte no vegetativo sem aplicação de fungicida; UCCF: um corte com aplicação de fungicida; DCSF: dois cortes no vegetativo sem aplicação de fungicida; DCCF: dois cortes com aplicação de fungicida. De maneira geral, a realização de um corte no estádio vegetativo e posterior corte para ensilagem no estádio de grão farináceo foi o melhor sistema empregado no centeio cv. Temprano com base nos parâmetros de bromatologia e desaparecimento ruminal. Esse sistema proporcionou melhor composição dos carboidratos fibrosos com menores teores de Fibra em Detergente Ácido (41,55%) e Lignina (10,79%) após o corte e gerou melhor taxa de desaparecimento ruminal da matéria seca a nível ruminal (0,46%) por hora de exposição, ressaltando ainda o corte do vegetativo que produziu um material com 20,76% de Proteína Bruta, Fibra em detergente neutro de 52,69% evidenciando a sua qualidade nutricional para uso em pastejo ou como silagem pré-secada. O uso do fungicida proporcionou melhoras significativas nos teores de proteína bruta (8,24% vs 7,23%) e matéria mineral (3,02% vs 2,82%) da planta no momento da ensilagem, o que gerou melhores índices de desaparecimento da matéria seca no rúmen.(AU)

Losses, chemical composition and aerobic stability of rye silage cv. Temprano subjected to different pre-flowering cuttings with or without fungicide / Perdas, composição química e estabilidade aeróbia da silagem de centeio cv. Temprano submetido a diferentes sistemas de corte com ou sem fungicida no pré-florescimento

The present study evaluated the fermentation, chemical characteristics and ruminal disappearance of dry matter of silages of rye cv. Temprano harvested at the stage of floury grain, managed with or without cutting at the vegetative stage and with or without application of Fluxapyroxad + Pyraclostrobinbased fungicide at the pre-flowering phenological stage. This was a 2x2 factorial randomized block experimental design, with 2 cutting regimes (0 and 1 cut) and 2 application management (with and without fungicide), with six replications, where each repetition is represented by a plot of 9.45m², with the treatments SC-SF: without cut at the vegetative stage and without fungicide application; SC-CF: without cut at the vegetative stage with fungicide application; UC-SF: a cut at the vegetative stage with pre-flowering fungicide application; UC-CF: a cut at the vegetative stage and without fungicide application. UC-CF silages were better in the general context, due to the better fiber composition with an average 6.75% reduction in neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber and a 17.10% reduction in lignin content, but, due to its higher DM content, it presented a less efficient fermentation process in terms of organic acid concentration and aerobic stability. However, it did not change the DM losses or ruminal degradability, and there is also the use of DM harvested at the vegetative stage that certainly has a superior quality. The use of fungicide provided only better dry matter index and better fiber composition and improved the fermentation process resulting in lower DM losses without altering the aerobic stability of silages.(AU)

Objetivou-se avaliar as características fermentativas, bromatológicas e o desaparecimento ruminal da matéria seca das silagens de Centeio cv. Temprano colhidas no estádio de grão farináceo, manejado com ou sem corte no estádio vegetativo e com ou sem aplicação de fungicida a base de Fluxapiroxade + Piraclostrobina no estádio fenológico de pré-florescimento. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso em esquema fatorial 2x2, sendo 2 regimes de cortes (0 e 1 corte) e 2 manejos de aplicação (com e sem fungicida), com seis repetições, onde cada repetição é representada por uma parcela de 9,45m², sendo os tratamentos SC-SF: sem corte no vegetativo e sem aplicação de fungicida; SC-CF: sem corte no vegetativo com aplicação de fungicida; UC-SF: um corte no vegetativo com aplicação de fungicida no pré-florescimento; UC-CF: um corte no vegetativo e sem aplicação de fungicida; As silagens do tratamento UC-CF apresentaram-se melhores no contexto geral, devido a melhor composição da fibra com redução de 6,75% em média nos teores de fibra em detergente neutro e fibra em detergente ácido e uma redução de 17,10% nos teores de lignina, no entanto devido ao seu maior teor de MS apresentou um processo fermentativo menos eficiente em termos de concentração de ácidos orgânicos e de estabilidade aeróbia, porém, o mesmo não alterou as perdas de MS nem degradabilidade ruminal, atribuído a isso ainda tem-se o aproveitamento da MS colhida no estádio vegetativo que tem certamente uma qualidade superior. A utilização de fungicida proporcionou apenas melhores índices de matéria seca e melhor composição da fibra e, melhorou o processo fermentativo gerando menores perdas de MS sem alterar a estabilidade aeróbica das silagens.(AU)

Preventive and therapeutic potential of peptides from cereals against cancer.

Epidemiological studies have shown that regular consumption of food based on whole-grain cereals and their products is associated with reduced risks of various types of degenerative chronic diseases. Food proteins are considered an important source of nutraceutical peptides and amino acids that can exert biological functions to promote health and prevent disease, including cancer. There have been several reports on peptides with anti-tumour activity in recent years. Plant-derived peptides, such as rapeseed, amaranth and soybean lunasin have received main attention. In this review, we extend this vision to analyse the evidence of current advances in peptides in cereals such as wheat, maize, rice, barley, rye and pseudocereals compared with soybean. We also show evidence of several mechanisms through which bioactive peptide exerts anti-tumour activity. Finally, we report the current status of major strategies for the fractionation, isolation and characterisation of bioactive peptides in cereals. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In recent reports, it has been shown that peptides are an interesting alternative in the search for new treatments for cancer. One of the most studied sources of these peptides is food proteins; however, a review that includes more recent findings for cereals as a potential source of bioactive peptides in the treatment of cancer, the techniques for their isolation and characterisation and the assays used to prove their bioactivity is not available. This review can be used as a tool in the search for new sources of anti-cancer peptides. The authors have no conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

Development of a freeze-dried mixture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) croquette using a GA-based multiobjective optimisation.

BACKGROUND: The mechanically separated meat (MSM) of Nile tilapia is an example of a by-product that can be used in the development of new foods. The aim of this study was to optimise the mixture of different flours in the development of a freeze-dried mixture of fish croquette using Nile tilapia MSM. Flavour, texture and overall acceptance of seven formulations were evaluated by an acceptance test. A genetic algorithm (GA) with desirability functions was combined with a multiobjective optimisation of the response surface models. RESULTS: The combination of flours was chosen to minimise cost and maximise overall acceptance and fibre content. Overall acceptance showed a statistically significant correlation (P ≤ 0.05) with flavour (r = 0.67) and texture (r = 0.61). The GA-based approach indicated that the highest overall acceptance was obtained when using wheat and rye flours in equal parts. This formulation had an overall acceptance of 7.52, a fibre content of 11.50 g kg⁻¹ and a cost of US$2.21/kg. After 24 h of freeze-drying, the water activity of the mixture was 0.11. CONCLUSION: The GA-based approach was able to optimise the croquette formulation. The freeze-drying process contributed to the development of a value-added product with high quality and long shelf-life.

Hydroxamic acids in Secale cereale L. and the relationship with their antifeedant and allelopathic properties.

Contents of the hydroxamic acids 2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIBOA), and 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA) in leaves and roots of 14 cultivars of rye, Secale cereale L., were determined. Dynamics of accumulation in three cultivars were evaluated. DIBOA was the main cyclic hydroxamic acid in leaves but the contents differed significantly between the cultivars. Both DIBOA and DIMBOA were present in the roots. Maximum concentration of DIBOA in leaves and DIMBOA in roots was reached between 48-54 h and 54-72 h after germination, respectively. Antifeedant activity of DIBOA towards the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi and the feeding behavior were studied by electronic recording in barley leaves treated with different contents of DIBOA. The deleterious activity of DIBOA could arise by starvation and/or a toxic effect. Additionally, allelopathic potential of pure DIBOA and aqueous extracts of leaves and roots of rye (Tetra-Baer) on the germination of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and rye (Tetra-Baer) seeds was evaluated. A high percentage of germination inhibition of pure DIBOA and the extracts of leaves and roots was observed. The activity is in agreement with the contents of hydroxamic acids in the plants. The substrates had no allelopathic effect on rye seeds.

Molecular cloning and expression of an alpha-amylase inhibitor from rye with potential for controlling insect pests.

Alpha-amylase inhibitors have important roles in plant defense mechanisms, particularly against insects, and several of these inhibitors have been expressed in different crops to increase their resistance to particular insects. In this work, we report the cloning and expression of a gene encoding for a new alpha-amylase inhibitor (BIII) from rye (Secale cereale) seeds. The BIII gene contains 354 nucleotides that encode for 118 amino acids sequence. A 313 bp fragment of the gene was expressed in Escherichia coli and resulted in a functional inhibitor that reduced the activity of alpha-amylases of larvae of the coleopteran pests Acanthoscelides obtectus, Zabrotess subfasciatus and Anthonomus grandis. In contrast, the inhibitor did not inhibit the activity of porcine pancreatic alpha-amylase. Although the amino acid sequence of BIII showed high identity with those of bifunctional inhibitors, the recombinant protein was unable to inhibit trypsin-like serine proteinases. The effects of recombinant BIII were evaluated in vivo against A. grandis. When first instar larvae were reared on an artificial diet containing four different concentrations of BIII, a reduction in larval weight and a mortality of 83% were observed at the highest concentration.

Levels of organochlorine pesticides in soils and rye plant tissues in a field study.

The organochlorine pesticides are lipophilic and persistent and tend to accumulate in soils and growing plants. The contamination of growing plants occurs by adhesion of volatile substances from the air to the plant surface and by the migration of contaminants through xylem in inner ascendant transport. Persistent organochlorine pesticides (HCB, alpha,gamma-HCH, pp'DDE, op'DDT, pp'DDT) levels were determined in soils and rye plants. The aims of the study were the monitoring of organochlorine pesticide concentrations and the comparison of these levels among soil, rye straw, and rye grains. Fifty soil samples and 50 rye plant (50 straw and 50 grains) samples were taken. The GLC-ECD chromatographic results indicated the following contamination levels distributed among soil, straw, and grains: HCB (0.7-1.2-0.7 microg.kg(-1)), alpha-HCH (0.6-3.4-1.2 microg.kg(-1)), gamma-HCH (1.8-27.3-4.4 microg.kg(-1)), Sigma-HCH (2.5-30.7-5.6 microg.kg(-1)), pp'DDE (1.0-7.8-5.5 microg.kg(-1)), op'DDT (16.1-20.4-17.0 microg.kg(-1)), pp'DDT (38.0-41.7-49.6 microg.kg(-1)), and Sigma-DDT (54.2-63.2-72.1 microg.kg(-1)). The study verified the presence of organochlorine pesticides in the Mexican agricultural environment and their migration from soil to the growing rye plants. However, DDT has been banned since 1999 for sanitary reasons, and Lindane is applied only in some cases as a seed dresser. The determined organochlorine pesticide levels in rye plants are low, at residual levels that are below Codex Alimentarius Commission maximum residue limits.

Chemical basis for the antifeedant activity of natural hydroxamic acids and related compounds.

Natural hydroxamic acids and related compounds derived from the 1,4-benzoxazin-3-one structure show antifeedant activity against the aphid Rhopalosiphum padi. This antifeeding activity is based on the electrophilic character of the hydroxamic acid function, the opening of the hemiacetal function and the lipophilic character of the molecule. In addition, the antifeedant activity of the aqueous extracts of different tissues of Acanthus mollis (Acanthaceae) was determined. The activity observed is attributed to the presence of 2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one in the extracts.

Crystallization and X-ray crystallographic studies of an inhibitor from rye (Secale cereale) active against Acanthoscelides obtectus and Zabrotes subfasciatus alpha-amylases.

Crystals of a new inhibitor present in rye seeds active against alpha-amylases from crop pests Acanthoscelides obtectus and Zabrotes subfasciatus have been obtained. A native dataset was collected at 2.21 A resolution with 99.3% completeness at CPr beamline at LNLS. The crystals belong to the trigonal system, space group P3(1)21 with a=b=78.21 A, and c=59.61 A. The crystal calculated solvent content is compatible with one dimer per asymmetric unit.

Molecular cloning of alpha-amylases from cotton boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis and structural relations to plant inhibitors: an approach to insect resistance.

Anthonomus grandis, the cotton boll weevil, causes severe cotton crop losses in North and South America. Here we demonstrate the presence of starch in the cotton pollen grains and young ovules that are the main A. grandis food source. We further demonstrate the presence of alpha-amylase activity, an essential enzyme of carbohydrate metabolism for many crop pests, in A. grandis midgut. Two alpha-amylase cDNAs from A. grandis larvae were isolated using RT-PCR followed by 5' and 3' RACE techniques. These encode proteins with predicted molecular masses of 50.8 and 52.7kDa, respectively, which share 58% amino acid identity. Expression of both genes is induced upon feeding and concentrated in the midgut of adult insects. Several alpha-amylase inhibitors from plants were assayed against A. grandis alpha-amylases but, unexpectedly, only the BIII inhibitor from rye kernels proved highly effective, with inhibitors generally active against other insect amylases lacking effect. Structural modeling of Amylag1 and Amylag2 showed that different factors seem to be responsible for the lack of effect of 0.19 and alpha-AI1 inhibitors on A. grandis alpha-amylase activity. This work suggests that genetic engineering of cotton to express alpha-amylase inhibitors may offer a novel route to A. grandis resistance.

Purification, biochemical characterisation and partial primary structure of a new alpha-amylase inhibitor from Secale cereale (rye).

Plant alpha-amylase inhibitors show great potential as tools to engineer resistance of crop plants against pests. Their possible use is, however, complicated by the observed variations in specificity of enzyme inhibition, even within closely related families of inhibitors. Better understanding of this specificity depends on modelling studies based on ample structural and biochemical information. A new member of the alpha-amylase inhibitor family of cereal endosperm has been purified from rye using two ionic exchange chromatography steps. It has been characterised by mass spectrometry, inhibition assays and N-terminal protein sequencing. The results show that the inhibitor has a monomer molecular mass of 13,756 Da, is capable of dimerisation and is probably glycosylated. The inhibitor has high homology with the bifunctional alpha-amylase/trypsin inhibitors from barley and wheat, but much poorer homology with other known inhibitors from rye. Despite the homology with bifunctional inhibitors, this inhibitor does not show activity against mammalian or insect trypsin, although activity against porcine pancreatic, human salivary, Acanthoscelides obtectus and Zabrotes subfasciatus alpha-amylases was observed. The inhibitor is more effective against insect alpha-amylases than against mammalian enzymes. It is concluded that rye contains a homologue of the bifunctional alpha-amylase/trypsin inhibitor family without activity against trypsins. The necessity of exercising caution in assigning function based on sequence comparison is emphasised.