The effect of high temperature on the insecticidal properties of Bt Cotton

Bt transgenic cotton has not shown the same level of resistance to bollworm in China, as in other major Bt cotton growing areas of the world. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of high temperature on the CryIA insecticidal protein content and nitrogen metabolism, in the leaf of Bt transgenic cotton. The study was undertaken on two transgenic cotton cultivars, one conventional (Xinyang 822) and the other a hybrid (Kumian No. 1), during the 2001 and 2002 growing seasons at the Yangzhou University Farm, Yangzhou, China. In the 2001 study, potted cotton plants were exposed to 37 C for 24 h under glasshouse conditions at three growth stages peak square, peak flowering and peak boll developing periods. Based on the 2001 results, in 2002 the same two cultivars were exposed to the same temperature for 48 h at two growth stages-peak flowering and boll developing periods. The results of the study indicated that the insecticidal protein content of the leaf was not significantly affected by the stress during the square and flowering periods. However, exposure to high temperature for 24h during the boll period reduced the CryIA protein content by approximately 51% in the cultivar Kumian No 1, and 30% in Xinyang 822 in the 2001 study, and by approximately 73 and 63% for 48 h with the same cultivars, respectively, in the 2002 study. Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activity, total free amino acid and soluble protein content, and the activity of protease in the leaf, showed relatively little change in response to high temperature in the flowering period. However, exposure to high temperature in the boll period resulted in the following changes - a reduction of GPT activity, a sharp increase in free amino acid content, a significant decrease in soluble protein content, and significant increases in the activity of protease. The results suggest that high temperature may result in the degradation of soluble protein in the leaf, with a resulting decline in the level of the toxin CryIA. It is believed that this may be the cause of the reduced efficacy of Bt cotton in growing conditions in China, where temperatures during the boll period often reach 36-40° C. © 2004 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.

Comparison of gelation profile of yoghurts during fermentation measured by RVA and ultrasonic spectroscopy

The gelation profile of yoghurts from conventionally treated (85 degrees C/30 min) and UHT treated (143 degrees C/6s) milks at 16, 18, and 20% total solids was analyzed during fermentation for 4 hrs using the invasive Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) and the non-invasive ultrasonic spectroscope. The viscosity measured by the RVA and the ultrasonic velocity measured by the ultrasonic spectroscope exhibited similar sigmoid trends with respect to fermentation time. The ultrasonic spectroscope detected the onset of gelation of yoghurt milk earlier (by an average of 52 min) than did the RVA, indicating a higher sensitivity of ultrasonic spectroscopy. The delay of gelation time of UHT-treated yoghurt milk as compared to conventionally treated yoghurt milk was detected by both techniques. A non-significant ( P > 0.05) effect of solids content in the yoghurt milks on their gelation time was also observed by both instruments.

Heat and mass transfer during fry-drying of sewage sludge

Deep-frying, which consists of immersing a wet material in a large volume of hot oil, presents a process easily adaptable to dry rather than cook materials. A suitable material for drying is sewage sludge, which may be dried using recycled cooking oils (RCO) as frying oil. One advantage is that this prepares both materials for convenient disposal by incineration. This study examines fry-drying of municipal sewage sludge using recycled cooking oil. The transport processes occurring during fry-drying were monitored through sample weight, temperature, and image analysis. Due to the thicker and wetter samples than the common fried foods, high residual moisture is observed in the sludge when the boiling front has reached the geometric center of the sample, suggesting that the operation is heat transfer controlled only during the first half of the process followed by the addition of other mechanisms that allow complete drying of the sample. A series of mechanisms comprising four stages (i.e., initial heating accompanied by a surface boiling onset, film vapor regime, transitional nucleate boiling, and bound water removal) is proposed. In order to study the effect of the operating conditions on the fry-drying kinetics, different oil temperatures (from 120 to 180 degrees C), diameter (D = 15 to 25 mm), and initial moisture content of the sample (4.8 and 5.6 kg water(.)kg(-1) total dry solids) were investigated.

Factors affecting the concentration and flux of materials in two southern Everglades mangrove wetlands

Concentrations and fluxes of C, N, and P were measured in dwarf and fringe mangrove wetlands along the Taylor River, Florida, USA from 1996 to 1998. Data from these studies revealed considerable spatial and temporal variability. Concentrations of C, N, and P in the dwarf wetland showed seasonal trends, while water source was better at explaining concentrations in the fringe wetland. The total and dissolved organic carbon (TOC and DOC), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) content of both wetlands was higher during the wet season or when water was flowing to the south (Everglades source). Concentrations of nitrate plus nitrite (NOx –), ammonium (NH4 +), and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in the fringe wetland were all highest during the dry season or northerly flow (bay source). Nutrient concentrations most effectively explained patterns of flux in both wetlands. Increased wetland uptake of a given constituent was usually a function of its availability in the water column. However, the release of NOx – from the dwarf wetland was related to the NH4 + concentration, suggesting a nitrification signal. Nitrogen flux in the dwarf wetland was also related to surface water salinity and temperature. Our findings indicate that freshwater Everglades marshes are an important source of dissolved organic matter to these wetlands, while Florida Bay may be a source of dissolved inorganic nutrients. Our data also suggest that temperature, salinity, and nutrient concentrations (as driven by season and water source) influence patterns of materials flux in this mangrove wetland. Applying long-term water quality data to the relationships we extracted from these flux data, we estimated that TN and TP were imported by the dwarf wetland 87 ± 10 and 48 ± 17% of the year, respectively. With Everglades restoration, modifications in freshwater delivery may have considerable effects on the exchanges of nutrients and organic matter in these transitional mangrove wetlands.

Mercury interactions with suspended solids at the Upper East Fork Poplar Creek, Oak Ridge, Tennessee

A water quality model was developed to analyze the impact of hydrological events on mercury contamination of the Upper East Fork Poplar Creek, Tennessee. The model simulates surface and subsurface hydrology and transport (MIKE SHE and MIKE 11) and it is coupled with the reactive transport of sediments and mercury (ECOLAB). The model was used to simulate the distribution of mercury contamination in the water and sediments as a function of daily hydrological events. Results from the model show a high correlation between suspended solids and mercury in the water due to the affinity of mercury with suspended organics. The governing parameters for the distribution of total suspended solids and mercury contamination were the critical velocity of the stream for particle resuspension, the rates of resuspension and production of particles, settling velocity, soil-water partition coefficient, and desorption rate of mercury in the water. Flow and load duration curves at the watershed exit were used to calibrate the model and to determine the impact of hydrological events on the total maximum daily load at Station 17. The results confirmed the strong link between hydrology and mercury transport.

Hydrochemical properties of groundwater samples in Semarang area, Java Island, Indonesia (1992, 1993, 2003, 2006, and 2007)

In Semarang City, groundwater has been exploited as a natural resource since 1841. The groundwater exploited in deep wells is concentrated in confined aquifers. The previous hydrogeological model was developed in one unit of aquifer and refined then by using several hydrostratigraphical units following a regional hydrogeological map without any further analysis. At present, there is a lack of precise hydrogeological model which integrates geological and hydrogeological data, in particular for multiple aquifers in Semarang. Thus, the aim of this paper is to develop a hydrogeological model for the multiple aquifers in Semarang using an integrated data approach. Groundwater samples in the confined aquifers have been analyzed to define the water type and its lateral distribution. Two hydrogeological cross sections were then created based on several borelog data to define a hydrostratigraphical unit (HSU). The HSU result indicates the hydrogeological model of Semarang consists of two aquifers, three aquitards, and one aquiclude. Aquifer 1 is unconfined, while Aquifer 2 is confined. Aquifer 2 is classified into three groups (2a, 2b, and 2c) based on analyses of major ion content and hydrostratigraphical cross sections.

Soil properties and microbial indicators of samples from Lake Wellman, Darwin Mountains, Antarctica

Four pedons on each of four drift sheets in the Lake Wellman area of the Darwin Mountains were sampled for chemical and microbial analyses. The four drifts, Hatherton, Britannia, Danum, and Isca, ranged from early Holocene (10 ka) to mid-Quaternary (c. 900 ka). The soil properties of weathering stage, salt stage, and depths of staining, visible salts, ghosts, and coherence increase with drift age. The landforms contain primarily high-centred polygons with windblown snow in the troughs. The soils are dominantly complexes of Typic Haplorthels and Typic Haploturbels. The soils were dry and alkaline with low levels of organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus. Electrical conductivity was high accompanied by high levels of water soluble anions and cations (especially calcium and sulphate in older soils). Soil microbial biomass, measured as phospholipid fatty acids, and numbers of culturable heterotrophic microbes, were low, with highest levels detected in less developed soils from the Hatherton drift. The microbial community structure of the Hatherton soil also differed from that of the Britannia, Danum and Isca soils. Ordination revealed the soil microbial community structure was influenced by soil development and organic carbon.

Use of Fibres Obtained from the Cashew (Anacardium ocidentale, L) and Guava (Psidium guayava) Fruits for Enrichment of Food Products

OLIVEIRA, E. L. et al. Use of Fibres obtained from the Cashew (Anacardium ocidentale, L) and Guava (Psidium guayava) Fruits for Enrichment of Food Products. Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology, Curitiba, PR, v. 48, p. 143-150, 2005.

Use of Fibres Obtained from the Cashew (Anacardium ocidentale, L) and Guava (Psidium guayava) Fruits for Enrichment of Food Products

OLIVEIRA, E. L. et al. Use of Fibres obtained from the Cashew (Anacardium ocidentale, L) and Guava (Psidium guayava) Fruits for Enrichment of Food Products. Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology, Curitiba, PR, v. 48, p. 143-150, 2005.

Potencial fisiológico de sementes de soja enriquecidas com molibdênio no armazenamento e sua influência na atividade de enzimas do metabolismo do nitrogênio

Molybdenum is one of the essential micronutrients for soybeans, acting directly on nitrogen metabolism as enzyme cofactor of nitrogenase. Usually, this nutrient is supplied to the plants through seed treatment or foliar application. The aim of this study was to evaluate the molybdenum effects by foliar in the physiological potential of soybean seeds and verify its interference in the enzyme activities involved in nitrogen metabolism. Soybean seeds of BMX Turbo cultivar were used, produced in Erechim, RS, harvest 2013, from plants treated with the following Mo concentrations: 0; 25; 50 and 75 g ha-1, supplied through two commercial products (Biomol and Molybdate) and stored during 0 and 6 months in uncontrolled conditions. The first experiment was conducted in Seedtes Seed Analysis Laboratory in Pato Branco, PR. The used design was completely randomized in a factorial analysis 4 x 2 x 2 with four replications each. The physiological potential of the seeds was evaluated by the germination test, seedling growth, accelerated aging and emergence on the soil. The second experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, where the seeds derived from treatments with different concentrations of Mo: 0; 25; 50 and 75 g ha-1 supplied through two commercial products (Biomol and Molybdate) were grown in vases. The used design was completely randomized in a factorial analysis 4 x 2 with four replications. Evaluations were performed when the plants reached the R1 phenological stage concerning the nodulation, dry matter of root and shoot of the plants and the determination of the activity of the enzymes glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthetase and the content of total soluble proteins. The data were submitted to variance analysis and when significant they were assessed by Tukey’s test for comparison of products and seed storage and with regression study to the concentrations at 5% probability. Analyses were performed using SISVAR statistical software. The soybean seed storage under uncontrolled conditions affected the seed vigour produced with Mo, regardless of the commercial product used during production. The application of Mo through foliar positively influences the production of soya beans which presented increasing responses in the germination and vigour with the application of Mo above 25 g ha-1 . The enrichment of Mo through foliar did not affect the nodulation of plants of the next generation, however, the use of Mo above 25 g ha-1 provided an increase in the activity of enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism as well as on the total protein content.

Effets de l’environnement lumineux et de l’âge foliaire sur la croissance, la capacité photosynthétique et la production protéique chez "Nicotiana benthamiana"

Cette étude visait à caractériser la croissance, la capacité photosynthétique, la concentration en azote et protéines totales solubles, la production de protéines recombinantes (HA) ainsi que la quantité de lumière interceptée à différents stades de développement de plants de Nicotiana benthamiana afin d’optimiser la production de vaccins. L’évolution des réponses physiologiques étudiées fut similaire chez toutes les feuilles primaires, suggérant que le processus de sénescence s’initie et progresse de façon semblable indépendamment de leur ordre d’initiation. Toutefois, la superposition des patrons temporels de sénescence et de croissance foliaire a mené à un rendement HA maximal se situant invariablement dans la partie médiane du plant lorsqu’exprimé sur une base foliaire. À l’échelle du plant entier, nos résultats suggèrent qu’il est possible d’augmenter la production de vaccins en récoltant les plants à un stade de développement plus tardif, ou en augmentant la densité de culture et en récoltant ces plants plus tôt.

Variação no conteúdo protéico e pigmentar em variantes cromáticas de Gracilaria domingensis nas populações naturais de Rio do Fogo-RN, BRASIL

The seaweed Gracilaria domingensis is a common species in the coast of Rio Grande do Norte. This species lives in the intertidal zone, where colour strains (red, green and brown) co-occur during the whole year. Seaweeds that live in this region are exposed to daily changes and to the rhythm of the tide. During the low tide they are exposed to dissection, hiper-or hipo-osmotic shock, high temperatures and high irradiance. The aim of this study was to analyze whether the pigment and protein content of the colour strains of G. domingensis is affected by some environmental parameters in a temporal scale. The seaweeds were collected during 10 months in the seashore of Rio do Fogo (RN). The total soluble proteins and the phycobiliprotein were extracted in phosphate buffer and the carotenoids were analyzed by a standardized method through HPLC-UV. The pigments analysis showed that phycoerithrin is the most abundant pigment in the three strains. This pigment was strongly correlated with nitrogen and the photosynthetically active radiation. Chlorophyll presented higher concentrations than carotenoids during the whole, but the ratio carotenoid/chlorophyll-a was modified by incident radiation. The most abundant carotenoid was ß-carotene and zeaxanthin, which had higher concentrations in the higher radiation months. The concentration increase of zeaxanthin in this period indicated a photoprotective response of the seaweed. The three strains presented a pigment profile that indicates different radiation tolerance profile. Our results pointed that the green strain is better adapted to high irradiance levels than the red and brown strains

Limnology of Macrobrachium amazonicum grow-out ponds subject to high inflow of nutrient-rich water and different stocking and harvest management

We evaluated the water characteristics and particle sedimentation in Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller 1862) grow-out ponds supplied with a high inflow of nutrient-rich water. Prawns were subject to different stocking and harvesting strategies: upper-graded juveniles, lower-graded juveniles, non-graded juveniles + selective harvesting and traditional farming (non-grading juveniles and total harvest only). Dissolved oxygen, afternoon N-ammonia and N-nitrate and soluble orthophosphate were lower in the ponds in comparison with inflow water through the rearing cycle. Ponds stocked with the upper population fraction of graded prawns showed higher turbidity, total suspended solids and total Kjeldahl nitrogen than the remaining treatments. An increase in the chemical oxygen demand:biochemical oxygen demand ratio from inlet (4.9) to pond (7.1-8.0) waters indicated a non-readily biodegradable fraction enhancement in ponds. The sedimentation mean rate ranged from 0.08 to 0.16 mm day(-1) and sediment contained >80% of organic matter. The major factors affecting pond ecosystem dynamic were the organic load (due to primary production and feed addition) and bioturbation caused by stocking larger animals. Data suggest that M. amazonicum grow-out in ponds subjected to a high inflow of nutrient-rich water produce changes in the water properties, huge accumulation of organic sediment at the pond bottom and non-readily biodegradable material in the water column. However, the water quality remains suitable for aquaculture purposes. Therefore, nutrient-rich waters, when available, may represent a source of unpaid nutrients, which may be incorporated into economically valued biomass if managed properly.

Variação no conteúdo protéico e pigmentar em variantes cromáticas de Gracilaria domingensis nas populações naturais de Rio do Fogo-RN, BRASIL

The seaweed Gracilaria domingensis is a common species in the coast of Rio Grande do Norte. This species lives in the intertidal zone, where colour strains (red, green and brown) co-occur during the whole year. Seaweeds that live in this region are exposed to daily changes and to the rhythm of the tide. During the low tide they are exposed to dissection, hiper-or hipo-osmotic shock, high temperatures and high irradiance. The aim of this study was to analyze whether the pigment and protein content of the colour strains of G. domingensis is affected by some environmental parameters in a temporal scale. The seaweeds were collected during 10 months in the seashore of Rio do Fogo (RN). The total soluble proteins and the phycobiliprotein were extracted in phosphate buffer and the carotenoids were analyzed by a standardized method through HPLC-UV. The pigments analysis showed that phycoerithrin is the most abundant pigment in the three strains. This pigment was strongly correlated with nitrogen and the photosynthetically active radiation. Chlorophyll presented higher concentrations than carotenoids during the whole, but the ratio carotenoid/chlorophyll-a was modified by incident radiation. The most abundant carotenoid was ß-carotene and zeaxanthin, which had higher concentrations in the higher radiation months. The concentration increase of zeaxanthin in this period indicated a photoprotective response of the seaweed. The three strains presented a pigment profile that indicates different radiation tolerance profile. Our results pointed that the green strain is better adapted to high irradiance levels than the red and brown strains

Changes in enzymatic activity, accumulation of proteins and softening of persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) flesh as a function of pre-cooling acclimatization.

One of the major causes of ?Fuyu? persimmon loss after cold storage (CS) is the breakdown of its flesh, which results in the production of a translucent fruit (a water-soaked fruit). It is believed that the cause of this disturbance is linked to disorganization of the cytoskelet and endomembrane system, which changes the synthesis and transport of proteins and metabolites, resulting in incomplete ripening. To test this hypothesis, ?Fuyu? persimmon was subjected to three different postharvest treatments (T): Control ? harvested and kept at 23±3 ◦C and relative humidity (RH) of 85±5% (room temperature, RT) for 12 days, T1 ? harvested and kept under cold storage (CS) (1±1 ◦C and RH of 85±5%) for 30 days followed by RT storage for 2 days, T2 ? kept under RT for 2 days (acclimatization) followed by CS for 30 days. Control and T2 resulted in fruit with decreased flesh firmness (FF), and increased soluble solids (SS) and ascorbic acid (AA) contents. In these fruit the activity of endo-1,4-ß-glucanase (endo-1,4-ß-gluc), pectin methylesterase (PME), polygalacturonase (PG) and ß-galactosidase (ß-gal) increased. T1 resulted in translucent fruit with decreased FF, without any enzymatic activity changes, probably due to the physical disruption of the cytoskeleton. Further, there was an increased content of proteins corresponding to expansins in fruit kept under Control and T2 conditions, which suggests that these conditions do contribute to the synthesis and/or transport of proteins involved in the process of solubilization of the cell wall. In these fruit, there was also a major accumulation of gene transcripts corresponding to heat shock proteins (HSPs) of organelles related to endomembrane, which suggests participation of these genes in the prevention of damage caused by cold conditions. These data proved the hypotheses that acclimatization contributes to the expression of HSPs, and synthesis and transportat of proteins involved in the solubilization of the cell wall. The expression of these genes results in the normal ripening of the persimmon, as confirmed by the evolution of ethylene production.