Carotenoid composition of Brazilian fruits and vegetables

Brazil has a wide diversity of food sources of carotenoids. The updated Brazilian database consists of more than 270 items of fruits, vegetables and their prepared and processed products. The database demonstrates variations due to variety, maturity, production technique, climate and processing. Many of these foods are not found in the US and European databases. Good to rich sources (>20 μg/g) of β-carotene are: acerola, bocaiúva, mango 'Extreme' and tucumã. Sources of both α-carotene and β-carotene are buriti, carrot, Cucurbita moschata 'Menina Brasileira', 'Baianinha' and 'Goianinha', and red palm oil. Commercially produced and uncultivated or semi-cultivated leafy vegetables, C. maxima 'Jerimum Caboclo' and the hybrid Tetsukabuto, cooked broccoli are sources of lutein and β-carotene. The edible Tropaeolum majus flower is especially rich in lutein. Although many fruits have β-cryptoxanthin as principal carotenoid (e.g. caja, nectarine, peach, orange-fleshed papaya, tree tomato), the levels are below 20 μg/g. Good to rich sources of lycopene are guava and guava products, papaya, pitanga and pitanga juice, tomato and tomato products, and watermelon. Sources of zeaxanthin are rare; although the principal carotenoid of piqui, the amount is low, lower than that found in buriti.

Analysis of total glucosinolates and chromatographically purified benzylglucosinolate in organic and conventional vegetables

The limited availability of foods that are free of pesticides has led Brazil to search for alternative production methods to meet the desires of consumers. Currently, organic cultivation represents a production system that complies with general expectations of producers and consumers. Organic cultivation is particularly interesting mainly because of its effect on plant secondary metabolite content, which may help plants to naturally combat pests; in humans, these substances can also contribute to the prevention of chronic diseases. We report on the extraction of glucosinolates (both as total glucosinolates and as benzylglucosinolate) with trifluoroacetic acid addition in a 70:30 MeOH:water (v/v). Total glucosinolates, determined by a thioglucosidase coupled assay, were measured in different Brassicaceae species and were similar to values reported in the literature. For broccoli, analyses were carried out separately on inflorescences, leaves and stalks; analyses were also conducted on thermally processed samples to simulate cooking. Furthermore, when the analysis was conducted on conventional and organic products, the highest concentrations of these substances were most often found in organically cultivated Brassicaceae. The benzylglucosinolate concentrations were evaluated on the same samples using HPLC. The concentration of benzylglucosinolate was significantly higher in organically cultivated vegetables, as well. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Classification of crucifer cultivars based on the life-history of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella)

We compared different cultivars and hybrids of crucifers in relation to development and life-history of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) to classify the plants according to their resistance to the pest. The plants used were Manteiga da Geórgia kale, Bola de Neve cauliflower, Ramoso Piracicaba Precoce broccoli, Chato-de-quintal cabbage, and the hybrid cabbages Midori, TPC668, TPC308, and TPC681. We evaluated performance daily until the pupal stage. Pupae were assessed individually to determine the pupal weight, performance, and pupal period. We determined the sex ratio, fecundity, fertility, and longevity of the emerged adults and calculated their reproductive potential. Cabbage hybrids TPC668, TPC308, and TPC681 do not support the development and reproduction of the diamondback moth. These hybrids show a level of resistance that is similar to that found the commercially available hybrid Midori and cultivar Chato de Quintal, which are known to be resistant to the diamondback moth. This finding implies that the capitata (cabbage) cultivars are the most suitable for planting because they are more resistant to pest than the cultivar's moth, acephala (kale). © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Doses de composto orgânico na produção e qualidade de sementes de brócolis

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Influência de doses de nitrogênio e potássio na severidade à podridão negra e na produtividade de brócolis tipo inflorescência única

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Suscetibilidade à podridão negra e produtividade de brócolis em função de doses de nitrogênio e potássio

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of potassium and nitrogen on the severity of black rot and yield of head. The experiment was carried out in split plots with factorial subplots, in randomized blocks with four replications. In the plots we assessed the influence of inoculation (injured plants with distilled water and inoculated with Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris) and in the subplots we evaluated the 4 x 4 factorial, potassium doses (0, 275, 550 and 825 kg ha-1) and nitrogen (0, 150, 300 and 450 kg ha-1). The hybrid Broccoli BRO68 was inoculated using the toothpick method at 64 days after sowing. We observed that potassium in the plant reduced the disease, but nitrogen increased disease. We estimated that the highest levels of potassum in the plant reduced the severity of the disease but lack or excess of nitrogen increased disease severity. The highest production of broccoli inflorescence was obtained at doses from 541 to 751 kg ha-1 of K2O and 286 to 328 kg ha-1 of N. However, when considering a balanced fertilization to obtain higher yield and size of inflorescences and greater resistance to black rot, the ideal doses are 283 kg ha-1 of N and 550 kg ha-1 of K2O.

Desenvolvimento de Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) em Brassicaceae ao longo de gerações

Pós-graduação em Agronomia (Entomologia Agrícola) - FCAV

Influence of sanitization on the physico-chemical and microbiological quality of organic and conventional broccoli

The present study was carried out in order to evaluate the effect of chlorinated and ozonized water on the physico-chemical characteristics of broccoli, produced under organic and conventional cultivation procedures. Organic and conventional broccolis were subjected to two sanitation treatments, using chlorine and ozone, and were kept under cold storage for seven days. Analyses of pH, titrable acidity, soluble solids and weight loss were performed and the content of Cu, Mn and Zn was determined. In addition, the presence of pesticides was verified. The results show no influence of the cultivation method or the sanitation treatment on sample weight loss. Cultivation methods and sanitizing treatments affected broccoli pH, titratable acidity, and soluble solids during the evaluation period. No differences regarding the metal content on organic and conventional broccoli were observed. Furthermore, the presence of organochlorine compounds, nor other pesticides, was not detected both in organic and conventional vegetables.

Comparação entre métodos para a avaliação do vigor de lotes de sementes de couve-brócolos (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenk)

Os testes de vigor e o teste de germinação são componentes essenciais no controle de qualidade das empresas de produção de sementes. Com o objetivo de verificar a eficiência de diferentes testes de vigor e de variações de suas metodologias na avaliação da qualidade de sementes de couve-brócolos visando diferenciação de lotes e previsão de emergência em bandeja, cinco lotes de sementes do híbrido Flórida foram submetidos aos seguintes testes: germinação; primeira contagem de germinação; emissão de raiz primária (após 48, 56, 72, 80 e 96 h após a instalação do teste de germinação); emergência de plântulas em substrato; envelhecimento acelerado com água (1g de sementes mantidas a 41ºC por 48 e 72 h a 100%UR); envelhecimento acelerado com solução saturada de sal (mesmo procedimento do item anterior, porém usando solução de NaCl, 40% e 76%UR); condutividade elétrica (50 sementes em 25 mL de água destilada a 25ºC e leituras após 2, 4, 6, 8 e 24 h). Todos os testes apresentaram correlação significativa com a porcentagem de emergência de plântulas em substrato, a 1% de probabilidade. Os testes de envelhecimento acelerado com solução saturada de sal por 48 h e de condutividade elétrica após 8 e 24 h de embebição foram eficientes e tiveram resultados semelhantes aos da emergência em substrato. Os testes da primeira contagem de germinação, emissão da raiz primária após 56 h e envelhecimento acelerado com solução saturada de sal por 72 h, apresentaram-se mais eficientes que a emergência de plântulas em substrato na diferenciação do vigor dos lotes.

Characterisation of three ACC synthase gene family members during post-harvest-induced senescence in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica)

We investigated the gene expression profiles of different members of the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxilic acid (ACC) synthase (EC 4.4.1.14) gene family in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica) during the post-harvest-induced senescence process. Using RT-PCR, three different cDNAs coding for ACC synthase (BROCACS1, BROCACS2 and BROCACS3) were amplified from floret tissue at the start of the senescence process. The three genes share relatively little homology, but have highly homologous sequences in Arabidopsis thaliana, and could be functionally related to these counterparts. Southern analyses suggest that BROCACS1 and BROCACS3 are present as single copy genes, while there are probably two copies of BROCACS2. All three genes showed different expression patterns: BROCACS1 is likely to be either wound - or mechanical stress-induced showing high transcript levels after harvesting, but no detectable expression afterwards. BROCACS2 shows steady expression throughout senescence, increasing at the latest stages, and BROCACS3 is almost undetectable until the final stages. Our results suggest that BROCACS1 could be required to initiate the senescence process, while BROCACS2 would be the main ACC synthase gene involved throughout the post-harvest-induced senescence. BROCACS3's expression pattern indicates that it is not directly involved in the initial stages of senescence, but in the final remobilization of cellular resources.

Formulaciones de Beauveria bassiana (Bals y vuils) para el manejo de plagas en el cultivo del repollo (Brassica oleracea L. var capitata) en el Tisey, Estelí

Con el objetivo de evaluar formulaciones de hongos entomopatógenos para el manejo de plagas en el cultivo del repollo ( Brassica ole r ácea L ) , se realizó el estudio en la fin ca El Tisey, Estelí. El estudi o se estableció en la época de postrera de octubre 2009 a enero 2010 . Se evaluaron seis tratamientos con tres repeticio nes y fueron: Beauveria bassiana + arcilla blanca, B. bassiana +arcilla verde , B. bassiana +talco, B. bassiana +leche en polvo, B. bassiana +aceite sunspray 6E, B. bassiana en sustrato. Las aplicaciones se realizaron 20 días después del trasplante y la dosis de Beauveria bassiana fue de 1 .7 x10 12 conidias / ha. Los muestreos fueron cada 8 días después del trasplante. Las variables evaluadas en laboratorio fueron : Viabilidad y concent ración de conidias y en campo fue población de Plutella xylostella, Leptophobia sp y Diabrotica sp. La viabilidad y concentración de conidias de B. bassiana de los formulados fueron adecuados durante seis meses en almacenamiento . La formulación B. bassiana +aceite sunspray 6E presentó los mejores resultados manteniendo los niveles más bajos de incidencia de P. xylostella, Leptophobia sp y áfidos , pero menos e fectiva para Diabrotica sp . La menor incidencia de Diabrotica sp se observó en los tratamientos B. bassiana +arcilla blanca, pero registró mayor incidencia d e P. xylostella y Leptophobia sp . La menor incidencia de P. xylostella se observó en octubre y la ma yor incidencia en noviembre. En cambio Leptophobia sp presentó niveles bajos en octubre y en noviembre la incidencia más alta. Para Diabrotica sp los niveles más bajos se observaron a inicios de octubre y los más altos a finales del mismo mes. La mejor fo rmulación fue B. bassiana +aceite sunspray 6E para el manejo de P. xylostella, Leptophobia sp y áfidos . El produc to sin formular , registró el mayor número de cabezas por ha y e l producto formulado B. bassiana más Arcilla B lanca presentó el mayor peso por cabeza

甘蓝(Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata L.)富集铊的环境地球化学研究

通过对甘蓝进行品种差异、亚细胞分析、根际分泌物提取污染土壤中的铊、营养元素添加以及野外甘蓝样品采集分析，结合地球化学理论。分析了甘蓝对铊吸收富集的机理，并得出以下几点结论： (1) 甘蓝叶、根及茎对铊的吸收存在着明显差异，表明在面临土壤铊胁迫时，叶是铊的主要储存部位，而根和茎主要起到了转运作用。甘蓝中铊含量的升高导致了对钙和镁吸收能力的提高。不同品种甘蓝之间的吸收能力差别不大，通过选择种植对铊吸收能力小的甘蓝来控制铊的食物链危害是不可行的。此外，还应该避免在高铊土壤地区种植甘蓝。 (2) 高达92%的铊存在于甘蓝叶细胞液组分中，表明细胞液组分是铊在甘蓝叶细胞中的一个重要储存部位。但是在不同品种甘蓝叶中，铊的亚细胞分布形态没有显著差异，在甘蓝面对铊胁迫时，其叶细胞器组分中铊含量始终维持很低的含量。甘蓝对铊的解毒机制很可能就是通过在细胞内的区隔化作用(compartmentalization)，把进入体内的铊结合到细胞液组分以及细胞壁上，从而减少了铊对重要细胞器官的损伤。铊在甘蓝叶各亚细胞组分中的分配与常量元素存在一定的关系。在甘蓝叶细胞内，Tl+往细胞液组分中的传输很有可能是通过Na+/K+/2Cl–联合传输机制、Ca2+活化的钾离子通道以及一些需Mg2+或Mn2+的K+活化酶完成的。需要Mn2+参与的K+活化酶可能对于铊往细胞器中的转移起到了主导作用。在细胞壁中，很可能Ca2+活化的K+通道或者是某些特定的需要Mn2+的K+活化酶对铊的迁移或固定起了影响作用。 (3) 随着氮、磷、钾营养元素的加入，甘蓝地上部的生物量有一定程度的上升。影响主次因素依次均为氮>磷>钾。随着氮、磷、钾营养元素的加入，甘蓝地上部和地下部的铊含量并没有上升，而是有一定程度的下降。甘蓝地上部中铊含量的影响主次因素依次为磷>氮>钾，甘蓝地下部中铊含量的影响主次因素依次为氮>磷>钾。氮、磷、钾营养元素的加入都提高了甘蓝对铊的吸收量。甘蓝对铊吸收量的影响主次因素依次均为氮>磷>钾。因此我们认为，氮，磷，钾的加入显著提高了甘蓝生物量和铊的吸收量，但是随之而来的生物稀释效应，导致了甘蓝地上部和地下部含量的降低。运用铊累积量来判断营养元素对甘蓝吸收铊的影响更为客观和可靠。 (4) 通过对比蒸馏水和根际分泌物提取液对污染土壤中铊的提取能力，发现甘蓝根际分泌物提取液(root exudates)对污染土壤中的铊具有明显的活化作用。提取液的pH和土壤铊的提取率存在一定的正相关(R2=0.1659)，也就是说提取液的pH与其对污染土壤中铊的提取能力成正比。但是甘蓝体内各部分铊含量与其根际分泌物提取液对土壤铊的提取率没有任何关系，表明大量的植物非必需元素铊进入甘蓝后，并没有对其根际分泌物的产生任何影响。土壤pH越高，生长的甘蓝的根际分泌物提取液对土壤提取率就越高，甘蓝分泌物提取液对铊的提取率升高可以补偿由于土壤pH升高而造成的水溶态存在的铊减少。 (5) 铊在甘蓝叶片和叶柄中的分布状况为老叶叶片>新叶叶片>老叶叶柄>新叶叶柄，表明叶柄也是运输铊的一个重要器官。但是叶柄对铊的转运能力并没有茎那么强烈，而叶片才是甘蓝中最主要的铊储存部位。铊在根、茎、老叶和新叶中亚细胞的分布均为细胞液>>细胞壁>细胞器，这和前期室内温室培养甘蓝叶片中的分布结果是一致的。根据植物采矿经济理论的计算结果，很显然甘蓝可以成为土壤铊污染的植物修复和采矿的备选对象。

Influência de genótipos de couve (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC.) na biologia de Plutella xylostella (L., 1758) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar a influência de alguns genótipos de couve (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC.) no desenvolvimento de Plutella xylostella (L., 1758) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). Os genótipos avaliados foram: Manteiga de Ribeirão Pires I-2620, Roxa I-919, Manteiga de São José, Manteiga de Monte Alegre, Pires 2 de Campinas, Couve Comum, Couve de Arthur Nogueira 2, Couve de Arthur Nogueira 1. Lagartas recém-eclodidas foram mantida em discos foliares de 8 cm de diâmetro para cada genótipo. Foram analisados os seguintes parâmetros: duração e viabilidade das fases larval e pupal, longevidade e fecundidade de adultos, utilizando análises paramétricas e de agrupamentos para interpretação dos dados. Observou-se um prolongamento em dias no ciclo de P. xylostella, aumento no peso de pupa e maiores valores de viabilidade e fecundidade, durante a segunda geração. O genótipo Couve de Arthur Nogueira 2 foi menos favorável ao desenvolvimento de P. xylostella nas duas gerações, e Couve Comum demonstrou maior influência negativa ao inseto na segunda geração. Manteiga de Ribeirão Pires I-2620 foi o mais suscetível nas duas gerações, agrupando com este na segunda geração Pires 2 de Campinas e Manteiga de São José.

Variation in the host preferences and responses of Ascia monuste orseis Godart (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) to cultivars of collard greens Brassica oleracea (L.) var. acephala

This work evaluated the preference of Ascia monuste orseis among 29 cultivars of collard greens through free- and no-choice assays using female adults (attractiveness and oviposition) and third-instar larvae (feeding preference), in both laboratory and greenhouse conditions. In free-choice tests with female adults, the L, V, Y, H, A, and Z cultivars produced oviposition non-preference in butterflies. Cultivars R, P, C, and D produced feeding non-preference in third-instar larvae of A. monuste orseis in free- and no-choice tests. Our findings may be useful for genetic improvement focusing on the development of B. oleracea var. acephala cultivars resistant to A. monuste orseis.

Evaluation of the genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala D.C. in different cells of mice

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)