Continuous rotary kiln pyrolysis of cassava plant shoot system and wide speciation of oxygenated and nitrogen-containing compounds in bio-oil by HESI and APPI-Orbitrap MS.

This work proposes the pyrolysis of the cassava plant shoot system biomass and a comprehensive chemical characterization of the resulting bio-oil. The highest yields of liquid products were obtained at 600 °C, with 12.6 % bio-oil (organic fraction), which presented the lowest total acid number of 65.7 mg KOH g-1. The bio-oil produced at 500 °C exhibited the highest total phenolic content of approximately 41 % GAE, confirmed by GC/MS analysis (33.8 % of the total area). FT-Orbitrap MS analysis found hundreds of oxygenated constituents in the bio-oils, belonging to the O2-7 classes, as well as nitrogen compounds from the Ny and OxNy classes. Higher pyrolysis temperatures resulted in more oxygenated phenolics (O4-7) undergoing secondary degradation and deoxygenation reactions, generating O2-3 compounds. Additional classes affected were O3-5N2-3, while O1-2N1 presented more stable compounds. These findings show that cassava bio-oils are promising sources of renewable chemicals.

Effect of Hydroponic Wheat Sprout on the Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Lipid Profiles of Broilers

The aim of present study was to understand the dietary effect of hydroponic wheat sprout (WS) on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and lipid profiles of broiler chickens. Two independent feeding trials were conducted using Cobb 500 broiler DOC for the period of 0 to 32 days. In the first trail, 264 DOC were allocated into 4 treatments having 3 replications per treatment and 22 birds per replication to find out the suitable inclusion level of WS. In second trial, 384 broiler DOC were allocated into 4 treatments having 6 replications per treatment and 16 birds in each replication to assess the functional quality of WS. In first trial, the body weight (1692.33 g/bird), body weight gain (1644.96 g/bird) and FCR (1.47) were significantly (p<0.05) improved in the birds fed 50 g/kg WS compared to the other dietary groups but feed intake showed no significant (p<0.05) differences. Likewise, in second trial the birds fed commercial feed showed significantly (p<0.05) higher body weight (1649.50 g/bird) and weight gain (1601.88 g/bird) compared to the birds fed 50 g/kg WS. Feed intake and FCR showed no significance differences. Total cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly (p<0.05) lower (85.5 mg/dl and 84.32 mg/dl, respectively) however HDL was higher (111.86 mg/dl) in the birds received 50 g/kg WS. Taken all together, it can be concluded that the inclusion of 50 g/kg WS in broiler had positive effects on growth performance and blood lipid profile in commercial broilers.(AU)

The reduction of plant sink/source does not systematically improve the metabolic composition of Vitis vinifera white fruit.

The quality of wine grapes depends on the balance between primary and secondary metabolites. Unlike many perennial crops that accumulate starch in the fruits before ripening, the non-climacteric grapes ripe with no previous carbon reserves. Based on the assumption that fruit carbon sink is limiting metabolite accumulation in grapes, bunch thinning is performed to limit plant Sink/Source (S/S). We studied the effects of severe bunch thinning on the accumulation of primary metabolites and on four families of glycosylated aroma precursors (GAPs) at the arrest of fruit phloem unloading of two white grape Vitis vinifera cvs. At plant level, crop reduction resulted in significant losses of metabolites to be accumulated in the fruits: i.e. up to 72% for sugars, 75% for organic acids and GAPs. Nevertheless, S/S manipulation could not modify the balance between GAPs and primary metabolites or increase the concentration in GAPs in the physiologically ripe grape.

Diazotrophic bacteria and substrates in the growth and nitrogen accumulation of sugarcane seedlings

Little is known about the interaction between the inoculation of diazotrophic bacteria, the variety, and the substrate used in inoculated sugarcane seedling production. Bearing this in mind, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diazotrophic bacteria inoculation, four sugarcane varieties and four different substrates on the growth and nitrogen accumulation of sugarcane seedlings. Parameters related to sprouting, height, and root growth, as well as nitrogen accumulation, were evaluated. The results indicate that inoculating sugarcane seedlings belonging to the following varieties: RB867515, RB92579, RB966928 and RB975932 with bacteria may increase sprouting speed index, height, root length, fresh and dry matter weight, as well as nitrogen accumulation, which has resulted in a more uniform stem diameter. However, the responses to inoculation differ from variety to variety and are also dependent on the substrate used with better results observed in the commercial substrate and the substrate mixtures containing a higher proportion of organic compost. Understanding the interaction between the variety and the substrate with the bacterial inoculation is essential to the success of the production of inoculated sugarcane seedlings.

Diazotrophic bacteria and substrates in the growth and nitrogen accumulation of sugarcane seedlings

Little is known about the interaction between the inoculation of diazotrophic bacteria, the variety, and the substrate used in inoculated sugarcane seedling production. Bearing this in mind, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diazotrophic bacteria inoculation, four sugarcane varieties and four different substrates on the growth and nitrogen accumulation of sugarcane seedlings. Parameters related to sprouting, height, and root growth, as well as nitrogen accumulation, were evaluated. The results indicate that inoculating sugarcane seedlings belonging to the following varieties: RB867515, RB92579, RB966928 and RB975932 with bacteria may increase sprouting speed index, height, root length, fresh and dry matter weight, as well as nitrogen accumulation, which has resulted in a more uniform stem diameter. However, the responses to inoculation differ from variety to variety and are also dependent on the substrate used with better results observed in the commercial substrate and the substrate mixtures containing a higher proportion of organic compost. Understanding the interaction between the variety and the substrate with the bacterial inoculation is essential to the success of the production of inoculated sugarcane seedlings.(AU)

Potential of Solanum viarum Dunal in use for phytoremediation of heavy metals to mining areas, southern Brazil.

Mining tailing areas may contain metal minerals such as Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, and Cd at high concentrations and low nutrients for the growth of plants. This kind of conditions of the area, as well as lack of tailing structure, may limit the development of plants on these areas. Thus, the present study determined the metal, macronutrient, and micronutrient concentrations in the tissues of the roots and shoots of the Solanum viarum Dunal species as well as it evaluated the potential use of the plant for phytoremediation of mining tailing areas contaminated with heavy metals. The macronutrients, micronutrients, and heavy metals in the roots and shoots were determined by the digestion method with nitric and perchloric acid (HNO3-HClO4) and quantified by the ICP-OES. In S. viarum, the average concentrations of the metals presented in the dry biomass varied between the shoots and roots, being higher in the roots for metals such as Cu (229 mg kg-1), Zn (232 mg kg-1), Mn (251 mg kg-1), Cr (382 mg kg-1), Ni (178 mg kg-1), Pb (33 mg kg-1), and Ba (1123 mg kg-1). S. viarum indicates the possibility of a potential application in phytoremediation and treatment of areas contaminated with heavy metals.

Induction of essential oil production in Mentha x piperita by plant growth promoting bacteria was correlated with an increase in jasmonate and salicylate levels and a higher density of glandular trichomes.

Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) are agriculturally important soil bacteria that increase plant growth. We subjected peppermint to inoculation with three species of PGPB. After inoculation, the plants were sprayed with methyl jasmonate solution (MeJA) or SA (salicylic acid). Then, the plants were harvested and the plant growth parameters, trichome density, EO content and endogenous phytohormones were measured. Shoot fresh weight was reduced in plants inoculated and treated with MeJA whereas EO content varied depending on the MeJA concentration applied. Plants inoculated and treated with MeJA 2 mM showed the maximum increase in EO production, revealing a synergism between PGPB and MeJA. SA treatments also enhanced EO yield. The increased growth and EO production observed upon PGPB application were at least partly due to an increase in the JA and SA concentrations in the plant, as well as to an associated rise in the glandular trichome density.

The ideal percentage of K substitution by Na in Eucalyptus seedlings: Evidences from leaf carbon isotopic composition, leaf gas exchanges and plant growth.

Potassium (K) is the most required macronutrient by Eucalyptus, while sodium (Na) can partially substitute some physiological functions of K and have a positive response on plant growth in K-depleted tropical soils. However, the right percentage of K substitution by Na is not yet known for Eucalyptus seedlings, since a few experiments have only compared treatments receiving K or Na. This study evaluated five levels of Na supply (0, 0.45, 0.90, 1.35 and 1.80 mM) as substitution for K in Eucalyptus seedlings grown in nutrient solution. Plants growth, biomass, K-nutritional status, leaf gas exchange, leaf carbon isotopic composition (δ13C ‰), leaf water potential (Ψw), leaf area (LA), stomatal density (SD) and water use efficiency (WUE) were measured. The highest total biomass yield was achieved by the Na estimated rate of 0.25 mM, corresponding to a leaf K: Na ratio of 3.41, and having the lowest δ13C values. Conversely, the highest Na rate (1.8 mM) induced K deficiency symptoms, lower growth, reduced total dry matter yield, leaf gas exchange, LA, SD and a higher δ13C, which presented a trend to an inverse correlation with CO2 assimilation rate (A), WUE and shoot dry matter. Collectively, our results conclude that substitution of 25% of K by Na (0.45 mM of Na) provided significant gains in nutritional status and positive plant physiological responses by increasing WUE, stomatal diffusion, and by augmenting CO2 uptake efficiency. This nutritional management can therefore be an alternative option to optimize yields and resource use efficiencies in Eucalyptus cultivation.

Nutritional Evaluation of Non-Conventional Vegetables in Brazil.

The objective of this study was to characterize the nutritional compounds of interest present in vegetables known as non-conventional, in Brazil. The following evaluations were carried out: antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds, vitamin C, calories, carbohydrates, humidity, lipids, proteins, fiber, acidity and quantification of minerals (P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn and B). The species studied were Amaranthus hybridus L., Amaranthus viridis L., Basella alba L., Eryngium campestre L., Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Lactuca canadensis L., Rumex acetosa L., Stachys byzantina K. Koch, Tropaeolum majus L. and Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Representative samples of plant structures of interest were harvested from each species suitable for human consumption such as leaves, flowers and flower buds. The results were submitted to multivariate analysis - principal components analysis (PCA). All the species present nutritional compounds of interest in different levels among the evaluated structures.

Oxidative stress induced by Cu nutritional disorders in Citrus depends on nitrogen and calcium availability.

Nutritional stress caused by copper (Cu) deficiency or toxicity affects fruit production of citrus orchards worldwide, but this could be minimised by fine-tuned fertilisation in the orchards. Two experiments were performed aiming to evaluate the photosynthetic capacity and the antioxidant enzyme activities of Swingle citrumelo seedlings, grown in nutrient solution (NS) with two levels of nitrogen (N) in the first experiment (adequate-N and high-N) and two levels of calcium (Ca) in the second (low-Ca and adequate-Ca). Plants were then exposed to various Cu levels (low, medium and high) for 15 days. Plants under Cu-toxicity exhibited specific effects on reactive oxygen species formation and root-to-shoot plant signalling. Copper absorption was greater with increased Cu concentration in the NS, which reduced plant biomass accumulation, gas exchange measurements, the activity of nitrate reductase and affected Cu partitioning between roots and shoots. Despite these effects, oxidative stress induced by excess-Cu was reduced at the highest N dose when compared to control and, on the contrary, increased with low-Ca supply. Therefore, a rational supply of N or Ca minimises Cu-induced stress damages to roots and leaves of plants, by directly enhancing the antioxidant system and protecting the associated antioxidative enzyme activities, whilst maintaining photosynthesis.

Colleters in Rubiaceae from forest and savanna: the link between secretion and environment.

This study aims to investigate colleters' secretory function, on cellular level, in Rubiaceae species from contrasting environments looking to explore the association between secretion and environment. We collected samples from eight species of Rubiaceae growing in forest and savanna having standard-type colleters with diverse histochemistry (hydrophilic, lipophilic and mixed secretions) and processed for both conventional and cytochemical study under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The standard colleters, although similar in morphology and anatomy, exhibited marked differences on cellular level, especially in the abundance and topology of Golgi bodies, endoplasmic reticulum and plastids when comparing forest and savanna species. These differences were clearly aligned with the chemical nature of the secretions they produce, with predominance of hydrophilic secretions in forest species and lipophilic or mixed secretions in savanna species. The combination of methods in electron microscopy revealed the sites of synthesis and intracellular compartmentation of substances, the mechanisms of their secretion from the protoplast and confirmed the involvement of the outer walls of the epithelial cells in the elimination of exudates to the gland surface. Our study suggests a potential environment-associated plasticity of the secretory cells of standard-type colleters in modulating their secretory function performance.

Hazardous metal pollution in a protected coastal area from Northern Patagonia (Argentina).

The San Antonio Bay is a protected natural coastal area of Argentina that has been exposed to mining wastes over the last three decades. Iron and trace metals of potential concern to biota and human health (Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn) were investigated in the sediments from the bay and in the soils of the Pile (mining wastes). Concentrations of Cd (45 mg kg-1), Pb (42,853 mg kg-1), Cu (24,505 mg kg-1), and Zn (28,686 mg kg-1) in the soils Pile exceeded guidelines for agricultural, residential, and industrial land uses. Risk assessment due to exposure to contaminated soils (Pile) was performed. Hazard quotients were superior to non-risk (HQ >1) for all trace metals, while accumulative hazard quotient index indicated a high risk for children (HI = 93) and moderate for adults (HI = 9). In the bay, sediments closest to the Pile (mudflat and salt marsh) exceeded sediment quality guidelines for protection of biota. Results of different acid extraction methods suggest that most of the pseudototal content was potentially mobile. Principal component analysis indicated that the sites near the Pile (Encerrado channel) were more polluted than the distal ones. Tissues of Spartina spp. located within Encerrado channel showed the highest metal levels among all studied sites. These results show that the problem still persists and the mining wastes are the sources of the pollution. Furthermore, the Encerrado channel is a highly impacted area, as it is shown by their metal enriched sediments.

In Vitro Culture and Phytochemical Analysis of Passiflora tenuifila Killip and Passiflora setacea DC (Passifloraceae).

We have developed reproducible micropropagation, callus culture, phytochemical, and antioxidant analysis protocols for the wild passion fruit species P. tenuifila, and P. setacea, native to the Brazilian endangered biomes Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, and Caatinga, by using seeds and explants from seedlings and adult plants. Genotype and explant origin-linked differences are visible amongst the Passiflora species concerning callus production, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity. The protocols developed for screening phytochemicals and antioxidants in P. tenuifila and P. setacea callus extracts have shown their potential for phenolic production and antioxidant activity. The high level of phenolic compounds seems to account for the antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of P. tenuifila derived from 45-day-old immature seed callus. The methanolic extracts of callus derived from P. setacea seedling leaf node and cotyledonary node explants have shown the highest antioxidant activity despite their lower content of phenolics, as compared to cotyledon callus extracts. The optimized micropropagation and callus culture protocols have great potential to use cell culture techniques for further vegetative propagation, in vitro germplasm conservation, and secondary metabolite production using biotic and abiotic elicitors.

Biochemical conversion of sugarcane straw hemicellulosic hydrolyzate supplemented with co-substrates for xylitol production.

Biotechnological production of xylitol is an attractive route to add value to a sugarcane biorefinery, through utilization of the hemicellulosic fraction of sugarcane straw, whose availability is increasing in Brazil. Herein, supplementation of the sugarcane straw hemicellulosic hydrolyzate (xylose 57gL(-1)) with maltose, sucrose, cellobiose or glycerol was proposed, and their effect as co-substrates on xylitol production by Candida guilliermondii FTI 20037 was studied. Sucrose (10gL(-1)) and glycerol (0.7gL(-1)) supplementation led to significant increase of 8.88% and 6.86% on xylose uptake rate (1.11gL(-1)h(-1) and 1.09gL(-1)), respectively, but only with sucrose, significant increments of 12.88% and 8.69% on final xylitol concentration (36.11gL(-1)) and volumetric productivity (0.75gL(-1)h(-1)), respectively, were achieved. Based on these results, utilization of complex sources of sucrose, derived from agro-industries, as nutritional supplementation for xylitol production can be proposed as a strategy for improving the yeast performance and reducing the cost of this bioprocess by replacing more expensive nutrients.

Morphology, secretion composition, and ecological aspects of stipular colleters in Rubiaceae species from tropical forest and savanna.

Colleters are secretory structures that produce and release mucilage or a mucilage-resin mixture protecting meristems and young structures against desiccation, herbivores, and pathogens. The secretions may vary in colleters of same or different types, indicating that the functionality of colleters may be more specific than previously thought. In this study, we compared 17 Rubiaceae species from savanna and forest environment focusing on colleter secretions and its ecological role. First, we evaluated the morphology, distribution, and histochemistry of stipular colleters using light and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, we investigated the phenology, microclimate, and the proportion of damaged apices in the savanna and forest species. We recorded standard-type colleters, variable in distribution and size, in 14 of the 17 studied species. The secretion varied from predominantly hydrophilic, mixed to predominantly lipophilic. During the budding period, secretion covered the vegetative apices. Savanna species had a prevalence of lipid secretion in habitats with higher luminosity, which had a lower proportion of damaged apices. In contrast, forest species occurred in habitats with lower luminosity and had a higher proportion of damaged apices, in general with the absence of lipids in the colleters. These results highlight that colleters with similar morphology clearly differed in secretions among species, especially between species from savanna and forest, in which the colleters appear potentially associated with protection against irradiation in savanna, but not in the forest environment.

Non-severe thermochemical hydrolysis of stover from white corn and sequential enzymatic saccharification and fermentation to ethanol.

A parametric study, with an initial load of 15%w/w of dry stover from white corn, was conducted to evaluate the sequential thermochemical hydrolysis (TH), enzymatic saccharification (ES) and fermentation of the whole slurry with ethanologenic Escherichia coli. The TH was designed to release the maximum amount of xylose with a concomitant formation of minimal amounts of furans. It was found that 29.0% or 93.2% of the xylan was recovered as free xylose at 130°C after 8 min in the presence of 1% or 2%w/w H2SO4 and produced only 0.06 or 0.44 g/L of total furans, respectively. After 24h of ES, 76.14-77.18 g/L of monosaccharides (pentoses and hexoses) were obtained. These slurries, which contained 0.03-0.26 g/L of total furans and 5.14-5.91 g/L of acetate, were fermented with 3.7 g/L of ethanologenic E. coli to produce 24.5-23.5 g/L of ethanol.

Experimental benznidazole treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi II strains isolated from children of the Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil, with Chagas disease

Trypanosoma cruzi strains from distinct geographic areas show differences in drug resistance and association between parasites genetic and treatment response has been observed. Considering that benznidazole (BZ) can reduce the parasite burden and tissues damage, even in not cured animals and individuals, the goal is to assess the drug response to BZ of T. cruzi II strains isolated from children of the Jequitinhonha Valley, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, before treatment. Mice infected and treated with BZ in both phases of infection were compared with the untreated and evaluated by fresh blood examination, haemoculture, polymerase chain reaction, conventional (ELISA) and non-conventional (FC-ALTA) serologies. In mice treated in the acute phase, a significant decrease in parasitaemia was observed for all strains. Positive parasitological and/or serological tests in animals treated during the acute and chronic (95.1-100%) phases showed that most of the strains were BZ resistant. However, beneficial effect was demonstrated because significant reduction (p < 0.05%) and/or suppression of parasitaemia was observed in mice infected with all strains (acute phase), associated to reduction/elimination of inflammation and fibrosis for two/eight strains. BZ offered some benefit, even in not cured animals, what suggest that BZ use may be recommended at least for recent chronic infection of the studied region.

Root-to-Shoot transfer and distribution of endosulfan in the wetland macrophyte Bidens laevis L.

Endosulfan is genotoxic in somatic cells of Bidens laevis, and reproduction could be affected if translocated from roots to flower buds. Hydroponic experiments were conducted to quantify this transfer. While the root uptake of [(14) C] endosulfan and its transfer to aboveground tissues was relatively low, the resulting average flower bud concentration (1.01 ± 0.76 ng/g) after 30 d of exposure to an aqueous concentration of 5 µg/L could still represent a genotoxic risk for germ cells.

Effects of heavy metal concentrations (Cd, Zn and Pb) in agricultural soils near different emission sources on quality, accumulation and food safety in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill].

Argentina is one of the major producers of soybean in the world, this generates a high global demand for this crop leading to find it everywhere, even close to human activities involving pollutant emissions. This study evaluated heavy metal content, the transfer of metals and its relation to crop quality, and the toxicological risk of seed consumption, through soil and soybean sampling. The results show that concentrations of Pb and Cd in soils and soybeans at several sites were above the maximum permissible levels. The heavy metal bioaccumulation depending on the rhizosphere soil compartment showed significant and high regression coefficients. In addition, the similar behavior of Cd and Zn accumulation by plants reinforces the theory of other studies indicating that these metals are incorporated into the plant for a common system of transport. On the other hand, the seed quality parameters did not show a clear pattern of response to metal bioacumulation. Taken together, our results show that soybeans grown nearby to anthropic emission sources might represent a toxicological hazard for human consumption in a potential Chinese consumer. Hence, further studies should be carried out taking into account the potential negative health effects from the consumption of soybeans (direct or indirect through consumption of meat from cattle) in these conditions.

Efficient nitrogen-fixing Rhizobium strains isolated from amazonian soils are highly tolerant to acidity and aluminium.

One of the most cultivated and consumed vegetables in Brazil is the common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. The symbiosis of this plant species with nitrogen-fixing bacteria that are adapted to the stresses commonly found in tropical soils can increase production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the symbiotic effectiveness of bacterial strains from soils under different land uses in the Amazon region. Further, rhizobia tolerance to acidity and aluminium and the involvement of some possible physiological mechanisms of such tolerance were also investigated. In assessing the efficiency of biological nitrogen fixation, inoculation with strains UFLA04-195, UFLA04-173 and UFLA04-202, belonging to the genus Rhizobium, resulted in greater plant growth, higher shoot nitrogen content and good nodulation compared to the inoculation with the strain CIAT 899 (R. tropici), and to the mineral nitrogen control or Burkholderia fungorum strains that nodulated or not bean plants. These efficient strains grew better at pH 5.0 than at pH 6.0 or pH 6.9; they also tolerated up to 1 mmol l(-1) of Al(3+) and showed an increased production of exopolysaccharides where the growing rates were less (pH 6.0 and pH 6.9). With respect to aluminium, the highest production of EPS produced greater tolerance to this element. Taken together, these results indicate that the strains evaluated in this study were tolerant to acidity and aluminium; they appeared to have developed resistance mechanisms such as EPS production and a resistant cell outer membrane (indicated by resistance to polymyxin and methyl violet). As these strains also gave increased yields of the host species, further studies on whether to recommend these strains as inoculants are already underway.