Influence of different banana cultivars on volatile compounds during ripening in cold storage

The aroma responsible for the flavor of fruits is highly susceptible to low temperatures in storage. The present study investigated the volatile composition of the Nanicao and Prata banana cultivars by testing pulp and whole fruit under cold storage conditions. The volatile fractions were characterized using headspace solid phase micro-extraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The cold storage induced changes in the volatile profile relative to the profile of the control group. The result of principal component analysis revealed that cold storage more strongly affects the Nanicao than the Prata cultivar. Esters such as 2-pentanol acetate, 3-methyl-1-butanol acetate, 2-methylpropyl butanoate, 3-methylbutyl butanoate, 2-methylpropyl 3-methylbutanoate and butyl butanoate were drastically reduced in the cold group of the Nanicao cultivar. Our results suggest that the metabolism responsible for the production of volatile compounds is related to the ability to tolerate low temperatures. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Agronomic characterization of banana mutants obtained by gamma radiation

Banana is one of the most economically important fruit, explored almost exclusively by small producers as a continuous source of food and income. Although Brazil is one of the main banana producers, the national banana production is undergoing serious problems especially in the phases of production and post-harvest limiting its participation in the international market. One of the main factors leading to great production losses is the toppling over due to the tall height of plants of main commercial cultivars. A strategy to solve this problem is reducing height by inducing mutation. The objective of the present work was to characterize irradiated Prata type banana mutants (cvs. Pacovan and Preciosa) during two production cycles in order to select short plants in height with good agronomic characteristics. In vitro plants of both cultivars were irradiated with gamma rays in the doses of 20 Gy ('Pacovan', 200 plants) and 30 Gy ( 'Preciosa', 200 plants) subcultivated four times and afterwards evaluated in the field during two production cycles. Four possible mutants were selected from each cultivar with height smaller than the average height of the controls after two evaluation cycles. It was observed that some of these mutants presented greater precocity and bunch weight compared to the controls. From the results obtained it is possible to select mutant plants with superior agronomic characteristics for 'Pacovan' as well as 'Preciosa' submitted to gamma radiation.

Genetic variability of banana with ornamental potential

The Musa germplasm collection at Embrapa Cassava and Fruits detains accessions from different sections of the Musa genus. The objective of the present study was to identify and morphologically characterize banana accessions from the banana germplasm with ornamental potential, as well as to quantify their genetic variability; and identify possible progenitors to be used in breeding aiming to achieve ornamental crossbreeds. The accessions were evaluated with the use of 32 morphological descriptors. Then, they were the following grouped into categories: landscape plants, cut flower, potted plants, and male inflorescence minifruits. The pre-selected accessions presented great genetic variability and ornamental potential for different uses. The accessions of the Rhodochlamys and Callimusa sections were selected to be used as landscape plants, cut flowers, potted plants, male inflorescence and minifruits. Most of the diploids from the Eumusa section evaluated in this study are indicated for the production of ornamental minifruits, except for 'Lidi' and Cici, which can also be indicated as landscape plants. The BB diploids have great potential for the use of the male inflorescence in floral arrangements, and did not offer any other indication.

Selection and Use Recommendation in Hybrids of Ornamental Banana

The ornamental market is dynamic and demands constant novelties. The use of fruit crops as ornamental plants can be an interesting alternative with very differentiated and original products. The banana germplasm bank at Embrapa Cassava and Fruits has been primarily used in the breeding program for generating new cultivars as food. To diversify and expand the use of this collection, accessions with ornamental potential have been selected to obtain new hybrids. This work was aimed at characterizing the progeny of ornamental Musa L. spp. by grouping the hybrids according to the following uses: landscape plants, potted plants, cut flower, or minifruits. Forty-two hybrids were evaluated with 14 quantitative and 12 qualitative descriptors in three production cycles. In addition, assays for resistance to black and yellow Sigatoka and to Fusarium wilt were performed. Variability was observed for all the characteristics evaluated within progenies, especially with regard to leaf color, fruit, peduncle, rachis, and heart. All evaluated hybrids were resistant to yellow Sigatoka and to Fusarium wilt and were resistant or showed reduced symptoms of susceptibility to black Sigatoka. Most hybrids (82%) presented reduced plant height. After clustering by use category, the hybrids RM 09, RM 38, RM 37, and RM 33 were selected and recommended to be used as cut flowers, minifruits, or landscaping plants.

Proteomic analysis of banana fruit reveals proteins that are differentially accumulated during ripening

Bananas (Musa spp.) are highly perishable fruit of notable economic and nutritional relevance. Because the identification of proteins involved in metabolic pathways could help to extend green-life and improve the quality of the fruit, this study aimed to compare the proteins of banana pulp at the pre-climacteric and climacteric stages. The use of two-dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) revealed 50 differentially expressed proteins, and comparing those proteins to the Mass Spectrometry Protein Sequence Database (MSDB) identified 26 known proteins. Chitinases were the most abundant types of proteins in unripe bananas, and two isoforms in the ripe fruit have been implicated in the stress/defense response. In this regard, three heat shock proteins and isoflavone reductase were also abundant at the climacteric stage. Concerning fruit quality, pectate lyase, malate dehydrogenase, and starch phosphorylase accumulated during ripening. In addition to the ethylene formation enzyme amino cyclo carboxylic acid oxidase, the accumulation of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase was needed because of the increased ethylene synthesis and DNA methylation that occurred in ripening bananas. Differential analysis provided information on the ripening-associated changes that occurred in proteins involved in banana flavor, texture, defense, synthesis of ethylene, regulation of expression, and protein folding, and this analysis validated previous data on the transcripts during ripening. In this regard, the differential proteomics of fruit pulp enlarged our understanding of the process of banana ripening. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

New systematic assignments in Gonyleptoidea (Arachnida, Opiliones, Laniatores)

As part of an ongoing revision of the family Gonyleptidac, we have identified many species that are synonyms of previously described species or misplaced in this family. This article summarizes these findings, adding previously unavailable information or correcting imprecise observations to justify the presented taxonomic changes. The following new familial or subfamilial assignments are proposed: Nemastygnus Roewer, 1929 and Taulisa Roewer, 1956 are transferred to Agoristenidae, Agoristeninae; Napostygnus Roewer, 1929 to Cranaidae; Ceropachylinus peruvianus Roewer, 1956 and Pirunipygus Roewer, 1936 are transferred to Gonyleptidae, Ampycinae; Gyndesops Roewer, 1943, Haversia Roewer, 1913 and Oxapampeus Roewer, 1963 are transferred to Gonyleptidae, Pachylinae. The following generic synonymies are proposed for the family Gonyleptidae: Acanthogonyleptes Mello-Leitao, 1922 = Centroleptes Roewer, 1943; Acrographinotus Roewer, 1929 = Unduavius Roewer, 1929; Gonyleptes Kirby, 1819 = Collonychium Bertkau, 1880; Mischonyx Bertkau, 1880 = Eugonyleptes Roewer, 1913 and Gonazula Roewer, 1930; Parampheres Roewer, 1913 = Metapachyloides Roewer, 1917; Pseudopucrolia Roewer, 19 12 = Meteusarcus Roewer, 1913; Haversia Roewer, 19 13 = Hoggellula Roewer, 1930. The following specific synonymies are proposed for the family Gonyleptidae: Acanthogonyleptes singularis (Mello-Leitao, 1935) = Centroleptes flavus Roewer, 1943, syn. n.; Geraeocormobius sylvarum Holmberg, 1887 = Discocyrtus serrifemur Roewer, 1943, syn. n.; Gonyleptellus bimaculatus (Sorensen, 1884) = Gonyleptes cancellatus Roewer, 1917, syn. n.; Gonyleptes atrus Mello-Leitao, 1923 = Weyhia brieni Giltay, 1928, syn. n.; Gonyleptes fragilis Mello-Leitao, 1923 = Gonyleptes banana Kury, 2003, syn. n.; Gonyleptes horridus Kirby, 1819 = Collonychium bicuspidatum Bertkau, 1880, syn. n., Gonyleptes borgmeyeri Mello-Leitao, 1932, syn. n., Gonyleptes curvicornis Mello-Leitao, 1932, syn. n., Metagonyleptes hamatus Roewer, 1913, syn. n. and Paragonyleptes simoni Roewer, 1930, syn. n.; Gonyleptes pustulatus Sorensen, 1884 = Gonyleptes guttatus Roewer, 1917, syn. n.; Haversia defensa (Butler, 1876) = Sadocus vallentini Hogg, 1913, syn. n.; Liogonyleptoides minensis (Piza, 1946) = Currala bahiensis Soares, 1972, syn. n.; Megapachylus grandis Roewer, 1913 = Metapachyloides almeidai Soares & Soares, 1946, syn. n.; Mischonyx cuspidatus (Roewer, 1913) = Gonazula gibbosa Roewer, 1930 syn. n.; Mischonyx scaber (Kirby, 1819) = Xundarava holacantha Mello-Leitao, 1927, syn. n.; Parampheres tibialis Roewer, 1917 = Metapachyloides rugosus Roewer, 1917, syn. n.; Parapachyloides uncinatus (Sorensen, 1879) = Goyazella armata Mello-Leitao, 1931, syn. n.; Pseudopucrolia mutica (Perry, 1833) = Meteusarcus armatus Roewer, 1913, syn. n. The following new combinations are proposed: Acrographinotus ornatus (Roewer, 1929), comb. n. (ex Unduavius); Gonyleptellus bimaculatus (Sorensen, 1884), comb. n. (ex Gonyleptes); Gonyleptes perlatus (Mello-Leitao, 1935), comb. n. (ex Moojenia); Mischonyx scaber (Kirby, 1819), comb. n. (ex Gonyleptes); and Neopachyloides peruvianus (Roewer, 1956), comb. n. (ex Ceropachylus). The following species of Gonyleptidae, Gonyleptinae are revalidated: Gonyleptes atrus Mello-Leitao, 1923 and Gonyleptes curvicornis (Roewer, 1913).

Genetic Variability of Beauveria bassiana and a DNA Marker for Environmental Monitoring of a Highly Virulent Isolate Against Cosmopolites sordidus

The banana weevil Cosmopolites sordidus (Germar) is one of a number of pests that attack banana crops. The use of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana as a biological control agent for this pest may contribute towards reducing the application of chemical insecticides on banana crops. In this study, the genetic variability of a collection of Brazilian isolates of B. bassiana was evaluated. Samples were obtained from various geographic regions of Brazil, and from different hosts of the Curculionidae family. Based on the DNA fingerprints generated by RAPD and AFLP, we found that 92 and 88 % of the loci were polymorphic, respectively. The B. bassiana isolates were attributed to two genotypic clusters based on the RAPD data, and to three genotypic clusters, when analyzed with AFLP. The nucleotide sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA intergenic spacers confirmed that all isolates are in fact B. bassiana. Analysis of molecular variance showed that variability among the isolates was not correlated with geographic origin or hosts. A RAPD-specific marker for isolate CG 1024, which is highly virulent to C. sordidus, was cloned and sequenced. Based on the sequences obtained, specific PCR primers BbasCG1024F (5'-TGC GGC TGA GGA GGA CT-3') and BbasCG1024R (5'-TGC GGC TGA GTG TAG AAC-3') were designed for detecting and monitoring this isolate in the field.

Exergy efficiency analysis of chemical and biochemical stages involved in liquid biofuels production processes

Liquid biofuels can be produced from a variety of feedstocks and processes. Ethanol and biodiesel production processes based on conventional raw materials are already commercial, but subject to further improvement and optimization. Biofuels production processes using lignocellulosic feedstocks are still in the demonstration phase and require further R&D to increase efficiency. A primary tool to analyze the efficiency of biofuels production processes from an integrated point of view is offered by exergy analysis. To gain further insight into the performance of biofuels production processes, a simulation tool, which allows analyzing the effect of process variables on the exergy efficiency of stages in which chemical or biochemical reactions take place, were implemented. Feedstocks selected for analysis were parts or products of tropical plants such as the fruit and flower stalk of banana tree, palm oil, and glucose syrups. Results of process simulation, taking into account actual process conditions, showed that the exergy efficiencies of the acid hydrolysis of banana fruit and banana pulp were in the same order (between 50% and 60%), lower than the figure for palm oil transesterification (90%), and higher that the exergy efficiency of the enzymatic hydrolysis of flower stalk (20.3%). (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fibers from fruit by-products enhance probiotic viability and fatty acid profile and increase CLA content in yoghurts

This study evaluated the effect of the supplementation of total dietary fiber from apple, banana or passion fruit processing by-products on the post-acidification, total titratable acidity, bacteria counts and fatty acid profiles in skim milk yoghurts co-fermented by four different probiotics strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus L10 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BL04, HN019 and B94. Apple and banana fibers increased the probiotic viability during shelf-life. All the fibers were able to increase the short chain and polyunsaturated fatty acid contents of yoghurts compared to their respective controls. A synergistic effect between the type of fiber and the probiotic strain on the conjugated linoleic acid content was observed, and the amount of alpha-linolenic acid was increased by banana fiber. The results of this study demonstrate, for the first time, that fruit fibers can improve the fatty acid profile of probiotic yoghurts and point out the suitability of using fibers from fruit processing the by-products to develop new high value-added fermented dairy products. (C) 2012 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.

Effects of Black Leaf Streak Disease and Sigatoka Disease on fruit quality and maturation process of bananas produced in the subtropical conditions of southern Brazil

Banana fruits are harvested at the green-mature stage (pre-climacteric) in order to allow sufficient time for transport and marketing. The time between the harvest and the initiation of the natural ripening process is called green life (GL), which is closely correlated to physiological age. Sigatoka Disease (SD: also called yellow Sigatoka) and Black Leaf Streak Disease (BLSD; also called black Sigatoka) are the main foliar diseases affecting banana production. The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of these diseases on banana GL and postharvest behavior in subtropical conditions (southeastern Brazil). The results showed that both diseases shortened the banana's GL when compared to control bananas of the same physiological age. Moreover, fruits from infested plots showed higher values of CO2 (+100% for SD and +300% for BLSD) and C2H4 production (+30% for SD and +60% for BLSD) at the climacteric peak. BLSD caused 40% reduction in fruit weight. Fruits from plants with a high degree of SD or BLSD undergo an altered maturation process. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Leishmanicidal activity in vitro of Musa paradisiaca L. and Spondias mombin L. fractions

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonotic disease characterized by infection of mononuclear phagocytes by Leishmania chagasi. The primary vector is Lutzomyia longipalpis and the dog is the main domestic reservoir. The control and current treatment of dogs using synthetic drugs have not shown effectiveness in reducing the incidence of disease in man. In attempt to find new compounds with leishmanicidal action, plant secondary metabolites have been studied in search of treatments of VL. This study aimed to evaluate the leishmanicidal activity of Musa paradisiaca (banana tree) and Spondias mombin (cajazeira) chemical constituents on promastigotes and amastigotes of L. chagasi. Phytochemical analysis by column chromatography was performed on ethanol extracts of two plants and fractions were isolated. Thin layer chromatography was used to compare the fractions and for isolation the substances to be used in vitro tests. The in vitro tests on promastigotes of L chagasi used the MTT colorimetric method and the method of ELISA in situ was used against amastigotes besides the cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells. Of the eight fractions tested, Sm1 and Sm2 from S. mombin had no action against promastigotes, but had good activity against amastigotes. The fractions Mp1 e Mp4 of M. paradisiaca were very cytotoxic to RAW 264.7 cells. The best result was obtained with the fraction Sm3 from S. mombin with IC50 of 11.26 mu g/ml against promastigotes and amastigotes of 0.27 mu g/ml. The fraction Sm3 characterized as tannic acid showed the best results against both forms of Leishmania being a good candidate for evaluation in in vivo tests. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Isolation and characterization of the flour and starch of plantain bananas (Musa paradisiaca)

Plantain bananas of the variety Terra (Musa paradisiaca) may have industrial value due to their high starch content. In this research, the flour and starch of such unripe fruit were isolated and their chemical, physicochemical, and structural characteristics were determined. Banana flour and starch had a dry basis yield of 50.6 and 28.5%, and an average granule size of 31.7 and 47.3?mu m, respectively. Both raw materials revealed a C-type pattern and high gelatinization temperatures. The peak viscosity was greater for flour (378.0 RVU) than for starch (252.6 RVU), although the final viscosity was lower. At temperatures above 65 degrees C, the swelling power of banana flour was lower than that of starch, while the solubility of flour was greater than that of starch at all temperatures. Furthermore, the presence of other components in banana flour influenced its physicochemical properties. In general, the flour and starch processed from unripe bananas have numerous possible uses as ingredients in food systems and for other industrial purposes.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Musa accessions in ex situ conservation

Abstract Background Banana cultivars are mostly derived from hybridization between wild diploid subspecies of Musa acuminata (A genome) and M. balbisiana (B genome), and they exhibit various levels of ploidy and genomic constitution. The Embrapa ex situ Musa collection contains over 220 accessions, of which only a few have been genetically characterized. Knowledge regarding the genetic relationships and diversity between modern cultivars and wild relatives would assist in conservation and breeding strategies. Our objectives were to determine the genomic constitution based on Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) regions polymorphism and the ploidy of all accessions by flow cytometry and to investigate the population structure of the collection using Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) loci as co-dominant markers based on Structure software, not previously performed in Musa. Results From the 221 accessions analyzed by flow cytometry, the correct ploidy was confirmed or established for 212 (95.9%), whereas digestion of the ITS region confirmed the genomic constitution of 209 (94.6%). Neighbor-joining clustering analysis derived from SSR binary data allowed the detection of two major groups, essentially distinguished by the presence or absence of the B genome, while subgroups were formed according to the genomic composition and commercial classification. The co-dominant nature of SSR was explored to analyze the structure of the population based on a Bayesian approach, detecting 21 subpopulations. Most of the subpopulations were in agreement with the clustering analysis. Conclusions The data generated by flow cytometry, ITS and SSR supported the hypothesis about the occurrence of homeologue recombination between A and B genomes, leading to discrepancies in the number of sets or portions from each parental genome. These phenomenons have been largely disregarded in the evolution of banana, as the “single-step domestication” hypothesis had long predominated. These findings will have an impact in future breeding approaches. Structure analysis enabled the efficient detection of ancestry of recently developed tetraploid hybrids by breeding programs, and for some triploids. However, for the main commercial subgroups, Structure appeared to be less efficient to detect the ancestry in diploid groups, possibly due to sampling restrictions. The possibility of inferring the membership among accessions to correct the effects of genetic structure opens possibilities for its use in marker-assisted selection by association mapping.

Associação entre índice glicêmico e carga glicêmica dietéticos e síndrome metabólica em idosos

OBJETIVO: Investigar a associação entre índice glicêmico (IG) e/ou carga glicêmica (CG) da dieta e síndrome metabólica (SM). MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo documental e do tipo caso-controle, com uma amostra de 229 idosos. Calcularam-se o IG e a CG, classificando-os em adequado (baixo) e inadequado (moderado e alto). Calculou-se ainda a prevalência de consumo dos alimentos, consumidos por pelo menos metade dos avaliados. A análise estatística dos dados foi efetuada por meio do teste c² e teste t de Student. Adotou-se p < 0,05 como nível de significância. RESULTADOS: Dos indivíduos estudados (n = 229), 74,2% pertenciam ao sexo feminino. A média de idade do grupo foi de 70,1 (6,4) anos. A média diária de IG do grupo caso foi de 62,3 (6,5), e do grupo controle de 62,1 (6,1), com p = 0,864. As médias diárias de CG não foram estatisticamente diferentes (p = 0,212), sendo a do grupo caso de 99,8 (33,8) e do grupo controle de 108,9 (45,7). Os alimentos consumidos tanto pelos casos como pelos controles, com maior contribuição ao IG, foram: pão, arroz, banana e açúcar refinado. CONCLUSÃO: No grupo avaliado, não houve associação entre índice glicêmico e carga glicêmica dietéticos e síndrome metabólica. O padrão identificado, no entanto, coloca portadores e não portadores em situação de risco à saúde, merecendo ações educativas.