Utilização de glúten de trigo na alimentação de dourada, Sparus aurata (Linnaeus, 1758)

A incorporação de fontes proteicas alternativas à farinha de peixe na alimentação de espécies piscícolas tem sido objecto de variados estudos no âmbito da nutrição animal. Neste contexto realizou-se o presente trabalho, cujo objectivo foi determinar o nível de substituição ideal de farinha de peixe por glúten de trigo na alimentação de dourada. Foram realizados dois ensaios, um de crescimento e um de digestibilidade. O ensaio de crescimento efectuou-se para determinar qual o nível máximo de substituição sem que os animais apresentassem diferenças significativas em termos de taxa de crescimento. O ensaio de digestibilidade teve como principal objectivo determinar qual das dietas testadas proporcionaria melhores valores de utilização digestiva por parte dos animais. Tendo em conta os resultados dos ensaios e as condições experimentais em que se realizaram, verificou-se que a substituição até 40% não afecta significativamente o desempenho zootécnico das douradas. ABSTRACT; The incorporation of alternative protein sources in fish diets has been the aim of many scientific experiments in animal nutrition. ln this study, the main objective was to evaluate the ideal level of wheat gluten incorporation in substitution of fishmeal in diets for gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata L). To reach this objective, two experiments were carried out, in which growth and digestibility were studied. The aim of the growth experiment was to evaluate the maximum level of fish meal substitution by wheat gluten (20%, 40%, 60% and 80%), without affecting significantly the animals growth rate. The digestibility experiment took place to evaluate which animals presented better food utilization with the tested diets (20%, 40%, 60% and 80%). Observing the results of these two experiments, it was concluded that the substitution until 40% did not affect significantly the performance of the fishes.

Evaluating potential olive orchard sugar food sources for the olive fly parasitoid Psyttalia concolor

Olive fruit fly Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae) is a major olive pest in the Mediterranean basin where increasing insecticide resistance has enhanced damage and necessitates more reliance on other control strategies, such as biological control. Provision of floral resources has been reported to improve the effectiveness of natural enemies. Here, we tested the effect of six plant nectars and two honeydew sources on the survival of Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), a parasitoid wasp used in the biological control of olive fruit fly. Our results showed a positive effect on survival associated with nectars of Anchusa azurea Mill., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Lavatera cretica L. and Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi, while honeydew proved to be a valuable alternative food source. When offering flowers directly to insects, Anchusa azurea, Lavatera cretica, and Foeniculum vulgare L. were found to be the most beneficial species, indicating also that P. concolor feeds predominantly on shallow corollas.

Global transcriptional response to salt shock of the plant microsymbiont Mesorhizobium loti MAFF303099

Soil salinity affects rhizobia both as free-living bacteria and in symbiosis with the host. The aim of this study was to examine the transcriptional response of the Lotus microsymbiont Mesorhizobium loti MAFF303099 to salt shock. Changes in the transcriptome of bacterial cells subjected to a salt shock of 10% NaCl for 30 min were analyzed. From a total of 7231 protein-coding genes, 385 were found to be differentially expressed upon salt shock, among which 272 were overexpressed. Although a large number of overexpressed genes encode hypothetical proteins, the two most frequently represented COG categories are "defense mechanisms" and "nucleotide transport and metabolism". A significant number of transcriptional regulators and ABC transporters genes were upregulated. Chemotaxis and motility genes were not differentially expressed. Moreover, most genes previously reported to be involved in salt tolerance were not differentially expressed. The transcriptional response to salt shock of a rhizobium with low ability to grow under salinity conditions, but enduring a salinity shock, may enlighten us concerning salinity stress response mechanisms.

Characterization of glutathione S transferases from the plant-parasitic nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus

We have previously identified two secreted glutathione S-transferases (GST) expressed in the pharyngeal gland cell of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, which are upregulated post infection of the host. This study examines the functional role of GSTs in B. xylophilus biology. We analysed the expression profiles of all predicted GSTs in the genome and the results showed that they belong to kappa and cytosolic subfamilies and the majority are upregulated post infection of the host. A small percentage is potentially secreted and none is downregulated post infection of the host. One secreted protein was confirmed as a functional GST and is within a cluster that showed the highest expression fold change in infection. This enzyme has a protective activity that may involve host defences, namely in the presence of terpenoid compounds and peroxide products. These results suggest that GSTs secreted into the host participate in the detoxification of host-derived defence compounds and enable successful parasitism.