Extraction and detection of mycotoxins in medicinal and aromatic plants: a case study with Aloysia citrodora P.

Plants frequently suffer contaminations by toxigenic fungi, and their mycotoxins can be produced throughout growth, harvest, drying and storage periods. The objective of this work was to validate a method for detection of toxins in medicinal and aromatic plants, through a fast and highly sensitive method, optimizing the joint co-extraction of aflatoxins (AF: AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2) and ochratoxin A (OTA) by using Aloysia citrodora P. (lemon verbena) as a case study. For optimization purposes, samples were spiked (n=3) with standard solutions of a mix of the four AFs and OTA at 10 ng/g for AFB1, AFG1 and OTA, and at 6 ng/g of AFB2 and AFG2. Several extraction procedures were tested: i) ultrasound-assisted extraction in sodium chloride and methanol/water (80:20, v/v) [(OTA+AFs)1]; ii) maceration in methanol/1% NaHCO3 (70:30, v/v) [(OTA+AFs)2]; iii) maceration in methanol/1% NaHCO3 (70:30, v/v) (OTA1); and iv) maceration in sodium chloride and methanol/water (80:20, v/v) (AF1). AF and OTA were purified using the mycotoxin-specific immunoaffinity columns AflaTest WB and OchraTest WB (VICAM), respectively. Separation was performed with a Merck Chromolith Performance C18 column (100 x 4.6 mm) by reverse-phase HPLC coupled to a fluorescence detector (FLD) and a photochemical derivatization system (for AF). The recoveries obtained from the spiked samples showed that the single-extraction methods (OTA1 and AF1) performed better than co-extraction methods. For in-house validation of the selected methods OTA1 and AF1, recovery and precision were determined (n=6). The recovery of OTA for method OTA1 was 81%, and intermediate precision (RSDint) was 1.1%. The recoveries of AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2 ranged from 64% to 110% for method AF1, with RSDint lower than 5%. Methods OTA1 and AF1 showed precision and recoveries within the legislated values and were found to be suitable for the extraction of OTA and AF for the matrix under study.

Estudio de factibilidad técnico-económico para el cultivo de peces de tilapia en jaulas flotantes aplicado al rancho Santa Lucía del cantón quitasol, caserio el coyolito K-481/2 Tejutla, Chalatenango.

Este documento está diseñado principalmente para el Consejo Nacional de Empresarios Salvadoreños (CONAES) y para el propietario del Rancho Santa Lucia, su propósito fue el preparar un estudio de factibilidad técnico-económico para el cultivo de peces tilapia en jaulas flotantes, el cual incluye en su contenido métodos como el analítico, sintético y descriptivo para realizar un adecuado diagnóstico de la problemática actual y obtener una perspectiva más precisa de la magnitud del problema. También se establecieron las fuentes de información primarias a través de las técnicas como la entrevista, la encuesta y la observación directa, además de otro tipo de información para el marco teórico en el que se fundamenta la investigación, entre estos se incluyen libros, revistas, informes, periódicos, sitios Web, entre otras fuentes secundarias. La población objeto de análisis se dividió en dos universos: el primero constituido por 27 consumidores que incluyen restaurantes, merenderos y comerciantes de productos pesqueros de los mercados de Nueva Concepción, La Reina, Chalatenango y caserío El Coyolito, y el segundo conformado por una asociación que cuenta con 7 cooperativas afiliadas ubicadas en los alrededores del Embalse del Cerrón Grande y tres peceras privadas ubicadas en los municipios de Santa Bárbara y Nueva Concepción; el instrumento de recolección de datos fue el cuestionario, el cual permitió llevar a cabo el censo de dicho universo. Los resultados obtenidos llevan a una conclusión principal, la cual indica que existe potencial de demanda para los peces tilapia, y de esta se deriva la recomendación que sugiere invertir en este proyecto, debido a que actualmente la demanda de peces tilapia no esta siendo cubierta. De los resultados del diagnóstico se efectuó la propuesta de inversión, que hace referencia a las variables principales de mercado, técnicas, organizacionales, legales, económicas y financieras que demandará y se generará con el proyecto.

Estudio de factibilidad técnico-económica para el cultivo de peces tilapia roja en jaulas flotantes del Centro de desarrollo de la pesca y la aculcultura (CENDEPESCA), del ramo de agricultura y ganadería aplicable en lago de Ilopango.

Este documento de factibilidad diseñado para el Centro de Desarrollo de la Pesca y la Acuicultura (CENDEPESCA), cuyo propósito principal fue preparar un estudio de factibilidad técnico-económica para implementar el cultivo de peces tilapia roja en jaulas flotantes a la Institución antes mencionada, el cual incluye en la metodología métodos tales como el analítico, sintético, deductivo e inductivo para realizar un adecuado diagnóstico de la situación problemática actual. También en esta parte se estableció un tipo de investigación descriptiva utilizada para obtener un panorama más preciso de la magnitud del problema, las fuentes de información primarias para recopilar la información en forma directa a través de las técnicas como la entrevista, la encuesta y la observación directa y las fuentes secundarias como el marco de referencia teórico en el que se fundamenta la investigación entre los que se incluyen libros, revistas, informes, periódicos, sitios Web, entre otras, las técnicas de investigación fueron la entrevista, la encuesta y la observación; en la población objeto de análisis se dividió en dos universos: el primero constituido por los consumidores de 29 negocios que incluye a restaurantes, merenderos y comerciantes de productos pesqueros de los mercados municipales, localizados en los municipios de Ilopango, Soyapango y San Martín, y el segundo universo conformado por 14 propietarios de proyectos piscícolas ubicados en los alrededores del lago de Ilopango; el instrumento de recolección de datos fue el cuestionario, el cual permitió llevar a cabo el censo de dichos universos. Los resultados obtenidos mediante el diagnóstico conllevan a una conclusión principal, la cual indica que existe un potencial de demanda para los peces tilapia roja, ya que así se confirmo mediante la investigación realizada, el cual se puede utilizar como mercado objetivo del proyecto, de esta se deriva la principal recomendación en donde se sugiere invertir en este tipo de proyecto, debido a que si existe demanda insatisfecha para los peces tilapia roja. De los resultados del diagnóstico se efectuó la propuesta de inversión, que hace referencia a las variables principales de mercado, técnicas, organizacionales, legales, económicas y financieras que demandará y generará el proyecto.

Molecular biology of prolactin and prolactin receptor in a marine teleost: the sea bream(Sparus aurata)

Tese de dout. em Biologia, especialidade de Biologia Molecular, Unidade de Ciências e Tecnologias dos Recursos Aquáticos, Univ. do Algarve

Aplicación de las Normas internacionales de contabilidad e identificación de los centros de costos en los agronegocios dedicados al cultivo de la tilapia.

El sector agrícola ha sufrido un estancamiento en los últimos años, el cual ha sido significativo en el desempeño de la economía en El Salvador, con la entrada en vigencia del Tratado de Libre Comercio que permitirá la exportación de productos no tradicionales aportando ingresos de divisas y el apoyo que el gobierno ofrece a través de la Dirección General de Agronegocios (DGA) para fortalecer y reactivar el agro, se espera un crecimiento representativo. Debido a los constantes cambios ocurridos en el país, ha sido necesario que los medianos y pequeños empresarios formen alianzas estratégicas permitiendo la obtención de beneficios tales como disminución de costos en los insumos y mayor probabilidad de financiamiento otorgados por instituciones crediticias el cual es utilizado para la inversión en infraestructura y equipamiento, la obtención de asesoría y capacitación por parte de entes de apoyo. El cultivo de tilapia se ha ido incrementando con muchas perspectivas por ser un rubro rentable y competitivo en los agronegocios, su reproducción no representa mayores problemas, teniendo varias generaciones durante el año sin necesidad de habilidades especiales y tecnologías muy avanzadas. El método utilizado para el desarrollo del trabajo fue el hipotético deductivo, ya que este permitió relacionar la investigación bibliográfica y la de campo. Dichas investigaciones se realizaron en ocho agronegocios que fueron seleccionados del total que se encuentra inscrito en la DGA, se encuestó y entrevistó a los encargados de la contabilidad, que representan el cien por ciento de la muestra en estudio. Al tabular y analizar los datos obtenidos de las encuestas y reforzándolas con las entrevistas se determinó mediante el diagnóstico que en la mayoría de los agronegocios en estudio no identifican los diferentes centros de costos, así como aún no han aplicado las Normas Internacionales de Contabilidad que les proporcione estados financieros más confiables, al personal entrevistado se les preguntó si era necesario una herramienta o documento que les sirviera de guía para identificar los centros de costos y les de las directrices básicas para asociar las NIC´s, con el fin de cooperar a la formulación de los estados financieros Por lo anterior, como aporte social del grupo se elaboró una propuesta que coopere a revelar una descripción narrativa o cuantitativa, distinguiendo los diferentes tipos de peces que cultivan con el fin de llevar un control y conocer todas las operaciones de cada uno de ellos, es decir que los estados financieros y registros contables detallaran todos los procesos, utilizando una segregación de cuentas que permitiera visualizar y entender el tratamiento contable que se le da, en relación a la actividad de la piscicultura. Los registros contables de las operaciones que realizan los agronegocios en relación a la piscicultura no son los más adecuados, debido a la falta de aplicación de la clasificación o nomenclatura contable establecida en las normas, las cuales especifican el tratamiento a seguir para las diferentes actividades.

Eutrophization process in a system used for rearing the nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), São Paulo State, Brazil

Dos vários aspectos inerentes à aquicultura, a eutrofização devido ao manejo alimentar tem efeitos diretos no viveiro e no sistema aquático no qual ele está inserido. Neste contexto, o presente estudo objetivou analisar a qualidade da água do sistema aquático de um viveiro. em uma criação de tilápia do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus), foram realizadas coletas de água em seis pontos do sistema aquático, durante um ciclo de engorda (seis meses), compreendendo a água de abastecimento, o viveiro, o efluente e sua mistura com as águas do sistema. Das variáveis ambientais analisadas nas amostras, a aplicação de uma análise de componentes principais revelou que as concentrações de clorofila-a, nitrogênio e fósforo total e o teor de matéria orgânica foram responsáveis pelas variações observadas no sistema durante o cultivo. Variações extrínsecas ao viveiro de cultivo deixaram evidente que o manejo deve ser aplicado a todo o sistema aquático, minimizando efeitos ambientais negativos.

Elaboration of sausage using minced fish of Nile tilapia filleting waste

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a inclusão de carne mecanicamente separada (CMS) (0, 20, 40, 60, 80 e 100%), obtido de resíduos de filetagem de tilápias do Nilo, em salsichas e determinar suas propriedades físico-químicas, nutricionais e sensoriais. As salsichas apresentaram diminuição de proteína e aumento de lipídeos com a inclusão de CMS. A qualidade nutricional dos produtos foi alta, com digestibilidade acima de 85%. Os parâmetros de textura e cor instrumental amarela (b*) diminuíram com inclusão crescente de CMS. A avaliação sensorial da cor mostrou que o nível máximo de inclusão de CMS não foi bem aceito pelos provadores. As salsichas com melhor aceitação do atributo sabor foram aquelas com 60% de CMS. Os resultados demonstraram a boa qualidade nutricional das salsichas utilizando CMS de resíduos de filetagem de tilápias do Nilo e de acordo com avaliação sensorial, a porcentagem máxima de inclusão é de 60%.

The effect of increased light intensity on the aggressive behavior of the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Teleostei: Cichlidae)

Animals show behavioral and physiological changes that emerge in response to environmental perturbations (i.e., emergency life-history stages). In this study, we investigate the effects of light intensity on aggressive encounters and social stability in groups of adult male Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758). The study compared the behavior observed under low (280.75 ± 50.60 lx) and high (1394.14 ± 520.32 lx) light intensities, with 12 replicates for each treatment. Adult fish were isolated in 36-L aquaria for 96 hours, and three males were grouped for 11 days in 140-L aquaria. Agonistic behavior was video-recorded (10 min/day) on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th day to quantify aggressive interactions and social stability. There was an effect of light intensity and day of observation on the total number of agonistic behaviors performed by the fish group. Besides, increased frequency of aggressive interactions (the sum of the four sessions) by the alpha, beta and gamma fish occurred at the higher light intensity. The dominance ranks of the fish remained unchanged across the observation sessions under both the low and high light intensities. We concluded that enhanced light intensity has a cumulative effect that increases the aggressiveness of the Nile tilapia but that this effect is not sufficiently strong to destabilize the social hierarchy.

Anaerobic bio-digestion of concentrate obtained in the process of ultra filtration of effluents from tilapia processing unit

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of the process of biodigestion of the protein concentrate resulting from the ultrafiltration of the effluent from a slaughterhouse freezer of Nile tilapia. Bench digesters were used with excrements and water (control) in comparison with a mixture of cattle manure and effluent from the stages of filleting and bleeding of tilapias. The effluent obtained in the continuous process (bleeding + filleting) was the one with highest accumulated population from the 37th day, as well as greatest daily production. Gases composition did not differ between the protein concentrates, but the gas obtained with the use of the effluent from the filleting stage presented highest methane gas average (78.05%) in comparison with those obtained in the bleeding stage (69.95%) and in the continuous process (70.02%) or by the control method (68.59%).

Detection of ochratoxin A in tropical wine and grape juice from Brazil.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is the main mycotoxin found in grapes, wines and grape juices and is considered one of the most harmful contaminants to human health. In this study, samples of tropical wines and grape juices from different grape varieties grown in Brazil were analysed for their OTA content by high-performance liquid chromatography. The detection and quantification limits for OTA were 0.01 and 0.03 ?g L?1 respectively. OTA was detected in 13 (38.24%) of the samples analysed, with concentrations ranging from <0.03 to 0.62 micron g L-1. OTA was not detected in any of the grape juice samples. Most of the red wine samples proved to be contaminated with OTA (75%), while only one white wine sample was contaminated. However, the OTA levels detected in all samples were well below the maximum tolerable limit (2 micron g L-1) in wine and grape juice established by the European Community and Brazilian legislature. The results of this study indicate a low risk of exposure to OTA by consumption of tropical wines and grape juices from Brazil.

Fusarium head blight: characterization of secondary Fusarium species, evaluation of their pathogenetic role and ability to produce mycotoxins

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a worldwide cereal disease caused by a complex of Fusarium species resulting in high yield losses, reduction in quality and mycotoxin contamination of grain. A shift in Fusarium head blight community has been observed worldwide. The present work aimed to analyze the evolution of Italian FHB community focusing the attention on species considered “secondary” in the past years such as members of Fusarium tricinctum species complex (FTSC) and F. proliferatum. The first goal of the study was to analyze the fungal community associated with Italian durum wheat in two different years. F. poae, F. avenaceum and F. proliferatum were the main species detected on Italian durum kernels. A variable mycotoxins contamination was observed in the analyzed samples. Considering, the increased incidence of F. avenaceum and other members of FTSC in Italian FHB, the second aim was to investigate genetic diversity among the FTSC and estimate the mycotoxin risk related to these species. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that F. avenaceum (FTSC 4) was the most common species in Italy, followed by an unnamed Fusarium sp., F. tricinctum and F. acuminatum. In addition to these four phylospecies, five other F. tricinctum clade species were sampled. These included strains of four newly discovered species (Fusarium spp. FTSC 11, 13, 14, 15) and F. iranicum (FTSC 6). Most isolates tested for mycotoxin production on rice cultures were able to produce quantitative levels of enniatins and moniliformin. In addition, a preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the ability of a selected F. proliferatum isolate to produce fumonisins on wheat in open field and under natural climatic conditions. The three analogues (FB1, FB2 and FB3) were quantified by HPLC-FLD analysis on kernels, chaff and rachis. Fumonisins were detected in all the three investigated fractions without significant differences.

Pipkiiα Is Widely Expressed In Hematopoietic-derived Cells And May Play A Role In The Expression Of Alpha- And Gamma-globins In K562 Cells.

Characterized for the first time in erythrocytes, phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases (PIP kinases) belong to a family of enzymes that generate various lipid messengers and participate in several cellular processes, including gene expression regulation. Recently, the PIPKIIα gene was found to be differentially expressed in reticulocytes from two siblings with hemoglobin H disease, suggesting a possible relationship between PIPKIIα and the production of globins. Here, we investigated PIPKIIα gene and protein expression and protein localization in hematopoietic-derived cells during their differentiation, and the effects of PIPKIIα silencing on K562 cells. PIPKIIα silencing resulted in an increase in α and γ globins and a decrease in the proliferation of K562 cells without affecting cell cycle progression and apoptosis. In conclusion, using a cell line model, we showed that PIPKIIα is widely expressed in hematopoietic-derived cells, is localized in their cytoplasm and nucleus, and is upregulated during erythroid differentiation. We also showed that PIPKIIα silencing can induce α and γ globin expression and decrease cell proliferation in K562 cells.

Obesity And Inflammation And The Effect On The Hematopoietic System.

Bone marrow is organized in specialized microenvironments known as 'marrow niches'. These are important for the maintenance of stem cells and their hematopoietic progenitors whose homeostasis also depends on other cell types present in the tissue. Extrinsic factors, such as infection and inflammatory states, may affect this system by causing cytokine dysregulation (imbalance in cytokine production) and changes in cell proliferation and self-renewal rates, and may also induce changes in the metabolism and cell cycle. Known to relate to chronic inflammation, obesity is responsible for systemic changes that are best studied in the cardiovascular system. Little is known regarding the changes in the hematopoietic system induced by the inflammatory state carried by obesity or the cell and molecular mechanisms involved. The understanding of the biological behavior of hematopoietic stem cells under obesity-induced chronic inflammation could help elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in other inflammatory processes, such as neoplastic diseases and bone marrow failure syndromes.

Antiangiogenic And Finasteride Therapies: Responses Of The Prostate Microenvironment In Elderly Mice.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the structural and molecular effects of antiangiogenic therapies and finasteride on the ventral prostate of senile mice. 90 male FVB mice were divided into: Young (18 weeks old) and senile (52 weeks old) groups; finasteride group: finasteride (20mg/kg); SU5416 group: SU5416 (6 mg/kg); TNP-470 group: TNP-470 (15 mg/kg,) and SU5416+TNP-470 group: similar to the SU5416 and TNP-470 groups. After 21 days, prostate ventral lobes were collected for morphological, immunohistochemical and Western blotting analyses. The results demonstrated atrophy, occasional proliferative lesions and inflammatory cells in the prostate during senescence, which were interrupted and/or blocked by treatment with antiangiogenic drugs and finasteride. Decreased AR and endostatin reactivities, and an increase for ER-α, ER-β and VEGF, were seen in the senile group. Decreased VEGF and ER-α reactivities and increased ER-β reactivity were verified in the finasteride, SU5416 groups and especially in SU5416+TNP-470 group. The TNP-470 group showed reduced AR and ER-β protein levels. The senescence favored the occurrence of structural and/or molecular alterations suggesting the onset of malignant lesions, due to the imbalance in the signaling between the epithelium and stroma. The SU5416+TNP-470 treatment was more effective in maintaining the structural, hormonal and angiogenic factor balance in the prostate during senescence, highlighting the signaling of antiproliferation via ER-β.