Apoptotic properties of Citrus sudachi Hort, ex Shirai (Rutaceae) extract on humanA549 and HepG2 cancer cells

Purpose: To investigate whether Citrus sudachi harvested at two stages of maturity can induce toxicity in a cell-specific manner and to determine the possible mechanisms of Citrus sudachi-induced cytotoxic responses in two types of cancer cells (human lung adenocarcinoma A549 and hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells) and two normal cell lines (lung 16HBE140- and liver CHANG cells). Methods: 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and annexin V/propidium iodidle assay were used to test the antiproliferative activity and apoptosis of methanol extract of Citrus sudachi, respectively. Griess reaction and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were carried out to evaluate nitric oxide (NO•) production and the mRNA levels of inhibitors of apoptosis (IAP). Results: Citrus sudachi exerted cytotoxicity in a time-dependent manner in cancer cells which increased with increase in maturity but did not affect normal cells. Citrus sudachi was found to induce accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 cell cycle phase, fragmentation of DNA and cell death with characteristics of apoptosis, in both types of cancer cells. Moreover, Citrus sudachi upregulated cellular NO• produced by activation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), while it suppressed the levels of IAP mRNA in both types of cancer cells. Conclusion: The results obtained suggest that Citrus sudachi induces apoptosis in A549 and HepG2 cells, which may be mediated by NO•. There is need for further studies on the role of Citrus sudachi in cancer treatment.

Citrus HLB x Potato "Zebra Chip" in Brazil: Attempting to transmit citrus Candidatus liberibacter spp (asiaticus and americanus) to potato plants.

2009

Biodegradação de óleo essencial de Citrus latifólia Tanaka (limão Tahiti).

2009

Enhancement of the total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of aqueous Citrus limon L. pomace extracts using microwave pre-treatment on the dry powder

The effect of microwave pre-treatment on the levels of total phenolic compounds, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins and individual major compounds as well as the total antioxidant activity of the dried lemon pomace was investigated. The results showed that microwave pre-treatment significantly affected all the examined parameters. The total phenolic content, total flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, as well as the total antioxidant activity significantly increased as the microwave radiation time and power increased (e.g., 2.5 folds for phenolics, 1.4 folds for flavonoids and 5.5 folds for proanthocyanidins), however irradiation more than 480 W for 5 min resulted in the decrease of these parameters. These findings indicate that microwave irradiation time and power may enhance higher levels of the phenolic compounds as well as the antioxidant capacity of the dried lemon pomace powder. However, higher and longer irradiation may lead to a degradation of phenolic compounds and lower the antioxidant capacity of the dried lemon pomace.

Citrus as a component of the Mediterranean Diet

Citrus are native to southeastern Asia, but are present in the Mediterranean basin for centuries. This group of species has reached great importance in some of the Mediterranean countries and, in the case of orange, mandarin and lemon trees, they found here soil and climatic conditions which allows them to achieve a high level of fruit quality, even better than in the regions where they came from. Citrus fruits are present in the diet of the peoples living on the Mediterranean basin, at least since the time of the Roman Empire. In the 20th century they became the main crop in various agricultural areas of the Mediterranean, playing an important role in the landscape, in the diet of the overall population, and also in international trade. They are present in the gardens of palaces and monasteries, but also in the courtyards and orchards of the poorest families. Their fruits are not only a refreshing dessert, but also a condiment, or even a major component of many dishes. Citrus fruits have well-documented nutritional and health benefits. They can actually help prevent and cure some diseases and, above all, they are essential in a balanced and tasty diet.

Physicochemical and microbial analysis of feces from horses fed diets containing citrus pulp.

This study aimed to evaluate the e ect of diets containing increasing levels of citrus pulp on the physic-chemical and microbiological characteristics of horses feces. Five mares, at an average age of 3.5 years old and body weight of 492 ± 44.5 kg were arranged in a 5 x 5 Latin Square. The experimental diet consisted of 60% coast-cross hay and 40 % of concentrate with increasing levels of citrus pulp (0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 %). To determine the fecal pH, samples were collected directly from the oor, immediately after defecation, in the rst feces the day at 07:00 a.m., and color and fecal consistency were evaluated. For microbiological analysis, an aliquot was reserved in plastic bags, frozen, and sent to the microbiological laboratory for further analysis. Lactic acid bacteria were counted for Lactobacillus spp. and Streptococcus spp. from fecal samples under anaerobic conditions. The diet produced di erences (P<0.05) in feces consistency 98% had normal and rm stools, while 2% had loose ruminant-type feces. We observed no di erence (P<0.05) for color, verifying 100% of greenish feces, normal for equines. There was no e ect (P>0.05) on pH and on the number of Lactobacillus spp. and Streptococcus spp. The inclusion of up to 28% citrus pulp concentrates for horses did not promote change in the physio-chemical characteristics and on the population of lactic acid-producing bacteria in feces.

The Impacts of Climate Change on Irrigated Agriculture in Southern Portugal

Climate change projections point to increasing air temperature and reduced precipitation in southern Portugal, which would affect farming systems. This study aims to assess the impacts of climate change on irrigated agriculture in southern Portugal. These impacts were assessed by combining climate model data with a soil water balance model and a numerical model for the design of irrigation systems. Meteorological data from two weather stations were used along with three climate models (HadRM3P, HIRHAMh and HIRHAMhh; 2071–2100). The crop rotations studied included sugar beet–maize–tomato–wheat and sunflower–wheat–barley. Two adaptation measures were considered: (i) maintaining the current crop varieties; (ii) using new crop varieties. The results from the considered climate change scenarios indicated that the impacts of climate change on irrigation requirements depend on the adopted adaptation measures. On average, the seasonal irrigation requirements increased by 13–70% when new crop varieties were used and by −13 to 7% when the current crop varieties were maintained. The impacts of climate change on irrigation system design were considerable, with the design flow rate increasing by 5–24%.

Control of citrus black spot (Guignardia citricarpa) by biological control agents and other alternative products.

2007

Effect of phytoremediation with Atriplex nummularia in irrigated soils with saline waste..

In the semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil, the Atriplex plant genus has been efficient in removing salts from soils irrigated with saline wastewater. However, this removal might not be significant compared with the amount of salts added to the soil by the wastewater irrigation. Considering this aspect, the aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of Atriplex nummularia Lindl plants in the remediation of a soil submitted to saline wastewater irrigation. Despite the known inhibition effect of saline wastewater on soil enzyme activity, the cultivation of Atriplex nummularia Lindl maintained the treated soil enzyme activity levels similar to the ones found in natural soils.

Effect of phytoremediation with atriplex nummularia in irrigated soils with saline waste.

2008

Effect of nitrogen fertilization on soil microbial biomass in an Oxisol cultivated with irrigated barley in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Abstract:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different nitrogen doses and five period of sample collection, on soil microbial biomass - nitrogen (SMB-N), total nitrogen (total N) and percentual ratio of the microbial biomass and total N (SMB-N/total N) in a Oxisol cultivated with barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The experiment was installed in June, 2005, in an area located at Embrapa Cerrados, Federal District. The experimental design was a randomized block, with three replicates. The plots received doses of nitrogen: 20 - 40 - 80 kg ha-1 N and a control without it and the subplots were period of soil sample. Three applications of N were realized: 10 kg ha-1 on the 5th day (06/14) after sowing; the rest of N was parceled in two applications with fertigation, on tillage, on the 27th (07/08) DAP, e no 43rd (07/22) DAP. Soil samples layer (0 - 10 cm deep) were collected for (SMB-N) determination and total N in six periods: 02 days before of the first fertigation; 02 days after of the first fertigation; 04 days before of the last fertigation and 04 days after of the last fertigation; on flowering stage and after harvesting. There was effect of the doses of N and the period of soil collection on the SMB-N, total N and in the ratio SMB-N/total N. The average values of total N revealed steadier in short-term (cycle of the culture) and this was not a good parameter to evaluate the behavior and N transformations in the soil-plant system. Resumen: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de diferentes dosis de nitrógeno y cinco período de muestreo en la biomasa microbiana del complejo suelo - nitrogeno (BMS-N), nitrógeno total (N total) y la relación porcentual de la biomasa microbiana y N total (BMS-N/N total) en un Oxisol cultivado con cebada (Hordeum vulgare L.). El estudio se inició en junio de 2005 en la estación experimental de la Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuaria (Embrapa-Cerrados), Distrito Federal, Brazil. El experimento se dispuso en bloques al azar con tres repeticiones. Las parcelas recibieron dosis de nitrógeno: 20 - 40 - 80 kg/ha de N más un control sin N, y las subparcelas fueron el periodo de muestro. Las aplicaciones de N se realizaron de la forma siguiente: cinco días después de la siembra (dds) se aplicaron 10 kg/ha y el resto de la dosis se aplicó con fertirrigación en dos dosis 27 y 43 dds. Las muestras de suelo (0-10 cm de profundidad) para determinar BMS-N y N total fueron tomadas, 2 días antes e igual número de días después de la primera fertirrigación y 4 días antes y después de la última, en floración y después de la cosecha. No se encontró efecto de las dosis de N y el período de muestreo en el BMS-N, N total y en la relación BMS-N/N total. Los valores medios de N total fueron más estable en el corto plazo (ciclo de la cultivo) lo que indica que éste no es un buen parámetro para evaluar la dinámica del N y sus transformaciones en el sistema suelo-planta.

Development of tahiti acid lime [Citrus latifolia (YU. Tanaka) Tanaka] budded trees in combination with different rootstocks.

2016

Carbon and nitrogen stocks of an arenosol under irrigated fruit orchards in semiarid Brazil.

O acúmulo de matéria orgânica beneficia a produtividade do solo e reduz a concentração do carbono atmosférico. Entretanto, pouco é sabido a respeito do acúmulo de C e N em solos arenosos cultivados com culturas perenes irrigadas em regiões semi-áridas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do cultivo de fruteiras irrigadas nos estoques de C e N de um Neossolo Quartzarênico em Paraipaba, CE. Foram coletadas amostras na linha e na entrelinha de pomares irrigados de banana, caju, manga, sapoti, goiaba e graviola. Em áreas adjacentes sob vegetação de Caatinga hipoxerófila e após dois anos de desmatamento foram coletadas amostras adicionais. As profundidades de amostragem foram: 0 a 0.1, 0.1 a 0.2 e 0.2 a 0.4 m. Os teores de C e N no solo foram mais altos na camada superficial (0 a 0.1 m). Não houve efeito da profundidade de amostragem sobre a densidade do solo. Os estoques de C e N na área com vegetação de Caatinga na camada de 0 a 0.4 m foram de 27,6 and 2,4 Mg ha-1, respectivamente. A retirada da vegetação natural e o cultivo das fruteiras levaram a reduções de 5 a 23% e 4 a 21% nos estoques de C e N do solo, respectivamente. As culturas do sapoti e da graviola contribuíram para o aumento dos estoques de C e N após a retirada da vegetação natural. As culturas da goiaba, graviola, manga e sapoti contribuíram para a melhoria do índice de estratificação deste solo.

Biophysical indicators based on satellite images in an irrigated area at the São Francisco River Basin, Brazil.

The Jaíba Irrigated Perimeter is a large irrigated agriculturearea, located in the region Forest Jaíba between the SãoFrancisco and Verde Grande rivers, in the Brazilian semi-arid region. In 2014, irrigators thisthe region face losses in theinterruption of new plantings in irrigated areas due to water scarcity. The objective ofthis study is combine the modelto estimate the Monteith BIO with the SAFER algorithm in the case of obtaining ET, to analyze the dynamics of naturalvegetation and irrigated crops in water scarcity period. For application of the model are necessary data frommeteorological stations and satellite images. Were used 23satellite images of MODIS withspatial resolution of 250mand temporal 16 days, of 2014 year. For analyze the results,we used central pivots irrigation mask of Minas Geraisstate, Brazil. In areas with irrigated agriculture with central pivot, the mean values of BIO over the year 2014 were88.96 kg.ha-1.d-1. The highest values occurred between April 23 and May 8, with BIO 139 kg.ha-1.d-1. For areas withnatural vegetation, the average BIO was 88.34 kg.ha-1.d-1with lower values in September. Estimates of ET varied withthe lowest values of ET observedin natural vegetation 1,91±1,22 mm.d-1and the highest values in irrigated area isobserved 3,51±0,97 mm.d-1. Results of this study can assist in monitoring of river basins, contributing to themanagement irrigated agriculture, with the trend of scarcity of water resources and increasing conflicts for the wateruse.

A membrane process to extract Citrus Lemon derived extracellular vesicles

Extra cellular vesicles are membrane bound and lipid based nano particles having the size range of 30 to 1000 nm released by a plethora of cells. Their prime function is cellular communication but in the recent studies, the potential of these vesicles to maintain physiological and pathological processes as well as their nano-sized constituents opened doors to its applications in therapeutics, and diagnostics of variety of diseases such as cancer. Their main constituents include lipids, proteins, and RNAs. They are categorized into subtypes such as exosomes, micro-vesicles and apoptotic bodies In recent studies, extracellular vesicles that are derived from plants are gaining high regard due to their variety of advantages such as safety, non-toxicity, and high availability which promotes large scale production. EVs are isolated from mammalian and plant cells using multitude of techniques such as Ultracentrifugation, SEC, Precipitation and so on. Due to the variety in the sources as well as shortcomings arising from the isolation method, a scalable and inexpensive EV isolation method is yet to be designed. This study focusses on isolation of EVs from citrus lemon juice through diafiltration. Lemon is a promising source due to its biological properties to act as antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory agents. Lemon derived vesicles was proven to have several proteins analogous to mammalian vesicles. A diafiltration could be carried out for successful removal of impurities and it is a scalable, continuous technique with potentially lower process times. The concentration of purified product and impurities are analysed using Size Exclusion Chromatography in analytical mode. It is also considered imperative to compare the results from diafiltration with gold standard UC. BCA is proposed to evaluate total protein content and DLS for size measurements. Finally, the ideal mode of storage of EVs to protect its internals and its structure is analysed with storage tests.