Nutritional profile and yield of oyster mushroom cultivated on selected agricultural wastes

Research on mushroom production and products is gaining more grounds globally and in particular Nigeria. This study was carried out to determine nutritional relationship between the substrate used for cultivation and the fruiting body on each of the substrates. Agro-wastes, namely: palm ( Elaeis guineensis ) fruit shaft, plantain ( Musa paradisiaca ) leaves, sawdust and kenaf ( Hibiscus cannabinus ) stem, were assessed for suitability as substrates for cultivation of oyster mushroom ( Pleurotus floridanus Singer ). The spawn of the mushroom was used to inoculate each of the substrates, using a complete randomised design, with five replicates for each substrate. Results showed that all the substrates supported mycelia growth and development of fruiting bodies of the fungus. There were significant differences (P<0.05) among substrates in terms of number of days to complete mycelia run, with the least recorded in palm fruit shaft (25.20), and the highest in kenaf (32.40). Total yield also differed significantly (P<0.05), with the highest in palm fruit shaft (51.4 g 100 g-1) and lowest in plantain leaves (6.0 g 100 g-1). There was also significant difference (P<0.05) in the nutritional content of fruiting bodies, the highest fat content being on plantain leaves (1.72 g 100 g-1) and the lowest on palm fruit shaft (0.55 g 100 g-1). The trend was similar for mushroom substrates, plantain leaves having (2.55 g 100 g-1) and palm fruit shaft, (0.41g 100 g-1). Starch content for fruiting bodies was highest on sawdust (5.31 g 100 g-1) and lowest on kenaf (2.66 g 100 g-1), while for mushroom substrates, kenaf was (0.33g 100 g-1) and palm fruit shaft was (4.45g 100 g-1). There was a positive correlation (r = 0.24) between the nutrient of fruiting bodies and that of the substrate on which it was cultivated.

Antioxidant profile of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni cultivated in Portugal and submitted to different conservation conditions

The demand for natural sweeteners has been gaining more and more importance due to the great controversy associated with the use of some synthetic sweeteners as cyclamates, aspartame and acesulfame-K. The steviol glycosides (E 960) are a group of natural sweeteners of generalized use; these compounds are obtained from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, a sweet plant native from South America (Carocho et al., 2015). However, Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni may have other uses to be exploited, in particular due to its antioxidant capacity. This plant is already produced in Portugal but it is important to evaluate if the plant chemical composition is maintained regardless of culture conditions. Therefore, in this study, stevia samples were cultivated in Braganca (northeastern of Portugal) in a field trial with defined culture conditions. After harvesting, the plants were submitted to two different treatments: kept fresh by freezing (-20°C) and oven-dried (30°C). The antioxidant profile of the samples was studied through evaluation of free radicals scavenging activity, reducing power, phenolic compounds (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS), tocopherols (HPLC-fluorescence) and free sugars (HPLC-RI). Significant differences were observed: while oven-dried samples showed the highest antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds concentration (mainly 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid and 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid), the frozen fresh samples had the highest values of total tocopherols and total sugars. These results confirm that the plants grown in Bragança have excellent bioactive secondary metabolites responsible for the observed antioxidant capacity.

Chemical composition of cultivated seaweed ulva clathrata (Roth) C. Agardh

Samples of cultivated Ulva clathrata were collected from a medium scale system (MSS, 1.5 1.5 m tank), or from a large scale system (LSS, 0.8 ha earthen pond). MSS samples were dried directly while the LSS sample was washed in freshwater and pressed before drying. Crude protein content ranged 20–26%, essential amino acids accounting for 32–36% of crude protein. The main analysed monosaccharides were rhamnose (36–40%), uronic acids (27–29%), xylose (10–13%) and glucose (10–16%). Some notable variations between MSS and LSS samples were observed for total dietary fibre (26% vs 41%), saturated fatty acids (31% vs 51%), PUFAS (33% vs 13%), carotenoids (358 vs 169 mg kg1 dw) and for Ca (9 vs 19 g kg1 ), Fe (0.6 vs 4.2 g kg1 ), Cu (44 vs 14 mg kg1 ), Zn (93 vs 17 mg kg1 ) and As (2 vs 9 mg kg1 ). The chemical composition of U. clathrata indicates that it has a good potential for its use in human and animal food.

Development of Dichelops melacanthus and its egg parasitoid Telenomus podisi reared on Bt-soybean MON 87701 x MON 89788 and its near conventional isoline under different temperatures.

Dichelops melacanthus was studied under controlled conditions (60 ± 10% RH and 14/10 h L/D photoperiod), and three constant temperatures (19, 25, and 31 ± 2 °C). Fresh pods of MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybeans and its near non-Bt isoline (A5547) were supplied to nymphs and adults. The biology of T. podisi was studied in the same controlled RH conditions, but only at the standard temperature of 25 ± 2°C. Overall, the development of D. melacanthus was better at higher temperatures, which accelerated the development of the stink bug without affecting adult biological parameters. No influence of Bt-soybeans on the biology of the pest was observed in any temperature studied, which shows that D. melacanthus is not affected by this transgenic soybean. The egg parasitoid T. podisi also was not harmed when it parasitized eggs of the pest fed with MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybeans, with similar results to those obtained in non-Bt isogenic soybeans. Thus, this study demonstrates that D. melacanthus is favored at high temperatures (31 ± 2 °C), and that neither did MON 87701 × MON 89788 soybean pods affect the development of the pest nor its parasitoid T. podisi.

Chemical changes and heavy metal partitioning in an oxisol cultivated with maize (Zea mays, L.) after 5 years disposal of a domestic and an industrial sewage sludge.

The need for solutions to minimize the negative environmental impacts of anthropogenic activities Fhas increased. Sewage sludge is composed of predominantly organic matter and can be used to improve soil characteristics, such as fertility. Therefore, its application in agriculture is an adequate alternative for its final disposal. However, there is a lack of information on its long-term effects on soil changes in tropical areas. Thus, the objectives of this study were to determine (i) the effect of sewage sludge application on heavy metal build-up in soil and maize grains and leaves, and (ii) the effects of soil amendment with sewage sludge on the chemical properties of a Brazilian oxisol. Besides the increasing levels of Zn, Cu, Ni, and Cr, amending soil with sewage sludge also alters the distribution of these metals by increasing the mobile Phases, which correlated significantly with the increase in metal extraction with two single extractants, Mehlich 1 and DTPA (Diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid). The levels of Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu in maize grains and leaves increased with the type and rate of sewage sludge application. Nevertheless, metal build-up in soil and plants was within the allowed limits. Significant differences were also found in soil characteristics like humic fractionation with the applied sewage doses. The data obtained does not indicate any expressive drawbacks in the use of sewage sludge as a soil amendment, as the heavy metal concentrations observed are unlikely to cause any environmental or health problems, even overestimated loadings, and are in accordance with the Brazilian regulations on farming land biosolid disposal.

The relationship between population structure and aluminum tolerance in cultivated sorghum.

2011

Trends in vertical movement of hexazinone herbicide considering typic eutrorthox soil of Espraiado´s stream cultivated with sugar-cane crop - local and default data scenarios.

2009

The botanic garden; : consisting of highly finished figures of hardy ornamental flowering plants, cultivated in Great Britain; with their names, orders, history, qualities, culture, and physiological observations. /

"With this were issued in portions: 'The auctarium of the Botanic garden', the 'Floral register', 'A dictionary of English-Latin terms' ... and 'The fruitist',"--British mus. (Nat. hist.) Catalogue.

Asian soybean rust in Brazil: past, present, and future.

ABSTRACT: Asian soybean rust, caused by the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is the most severe disease of the crop and can cause yield losses of up to 90%. The disease was first reported in Brazil in 2001. Epidemics of the disease are common in the country, where the fungus can survive year?round. Regulatory measures to reduce the inoculum between seasons and avoid late-season soybean have been adopted to manage the disease. Disease control has relied mainly on chemical control, but a lower sensibility of the fungus to fungicides has been reported in Brazil. Major?resistance genes have been mapped and incorporated into the cultivars. With the reduced efficacy of the fungicides, the adoption of integrated measures to control the disease will be important for the sustainability of the crop. This review presents the main changes in the soybean crop system caused by the introduction of the fungus in Brazil, the current management strategies adopted to avoid losses, and the new trends that, together with biotechnological strategies, can improve management in the future. RESUMO: A ferrugem?asiática da soja, causada pelo fungo Phakopsora pachyrhizi, é a doença mais severa da cultura e pode causar perdas de produtividade de até 90%. A doença foi relatada pela primeira vez no Brasil em 2001. Epidemias da doença são comuns no País, onde o fungo pode sobreviver durante todo o ano. Medidas regulatórias para reduzir o inóculo entre safras e evitar a semeadura tardia de soja têm sido adotadas para manejar a doença. O controle da doença tem se baseado principalmente no controle químico, mas uma menor sensibilidade do fungo aos fungicidas tem sido relatada no Brasil. Genes de resistência têm sido mapeados e incorporados às cultivares. Por causa da redução da eficiência dos fungicidas, a adoção de medidas integradas para o controle da doença será importante para a sustentabilidade da cultura. Este artigo de revisão apresenta as principais mudanças no sistema de produção da soja causadas pela introdução do fungo no Brasil, as medidas de controle atualmente usadas para evitar perdas, e as novas tendências que, juntas com estratégias biotecnológicas, podem melhorar o manejo da doença no futuro.

A pigeonpea gene confers resistance to Asian soybean rust in soybean.

Asian soybean rust (ASR), caused by the fungus Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is one of the most economically important crop diseases, but is only treatable with fungicides, which are becoming less effective owing to the emergence of fungicide resistance. There are no commercial soybean cultivars with durable resistance to P. pachyrhizi, and although soybean resistance loci have been mapped, no resistance genes have been cloned. We report the cloning of a P. pachyrhizi resistance gene CcRpp1 (Cajanus cajan Resistance against Phakopsora pachyrhizi 1) from pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) and show that CcRpp1 confers full resistance to P. pachyrhizi in soybean. Our findings show that legume species related to soybean such as pigeonpea, cowpea, common bean and others could provide a valuable and diverse pool of resistance traits for crop improvement.

Induction of Microalgal Lipids for Biodiesel Production in Tandem with Sequestration of High Carbon Dioxide Concentration

There is no doubt that sufficient energy supply is indispensable for the fulfillment of our fossil fuel crises in a stainable fashion. There have been many attempts in deriving biodiesel fuel from different bioenergy crops including corn, canola, soybean, palm, sugar cane and vegetable oil. However, there are some significant challenges, including depleting feedstock supplies, land use change impacts and food use competition, which lead to high prices and inability to completely displace fossil fuel [1-2]. In recent years, use of microalgae as an alternative biodiesel feedstock has gained renewed interest as these fuels are becoming increasingly economically viable, renewable, and carbon-neutral energy sources. One reason for this renewed interest derives from its promising growth giving it the ability to meet global transport fuel demand constraints with fewer energy supplies without compromising the global food supply. In this study, Chlorella protothecoides microalgae were cultivated under different conditions to produce high-yield biomass with high lipid content which would be converted into biodiesel fuel in tandem with the mitigation of high carbon dioxide concentration. The effects of CO2 using atmospheric and 15% CO2 concentration and light intensity of 35 and 140 µmol m-2s-1 on the microalgae growth and lipid induction were studied. The approach used was to culture microalgal Chlorella protothecoides with inoculation of 1×105 cells/ml in a 250-ml Erlenmeyer flask, irradiated with cool white fluorescent light at ambient temperature. Using these conditions we were able to determine the most suitable operating conditions for cultivating the green microalgae to produce high biomass and lipids. Nile red dye was used as a hydrophobic fluorescent probe to detect the induced intracellular lipids. Also, gas chromatograph mass spectroscopy was used to determine the CO2 concentrations in each culture flask using the closed continuous loop system. The goal was to study how the 15% CO2 concentration was being used up by the microalgae during cultivation. The results show that the condition of high light intensity of 140 µmol m-2s-1 with 15% CO2 concentration obtain high cell concentration of 7 x 105 cells mL-1 after culturing Chlorella protothecoides for 9 to 10 day in both open and closed systems respectively. Higher lipid content was estimated as indicated by fluorescence intensity with 1.3 to 2.5 times CO2 reduction emitted by power plants. The particle size of Chlorella protothecoides increased as well due to induction of lipid accumulation by the cells when culture under these condition (140 µmol m-2s-1 with 15% CO2 concentration).

Effects of plant density and the number of emitters on plant growth and nitrate concentration in spinach cultivated in substrate

The effects of plant density and the number of emitters per Styrofoam box on plant growth and nitrate (NO3-) concentration were evaluated in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. cv. Tapir). Spinach seedlings were transplanted at 45 days after emergence into Styrofoam boxes filled with the substrate and were grown during winter in an unheated greenhouse with no supplemental lighting. The experiment was carried out with four treatments, including two plant densities (160 and 280 plants/m2) and two number of emitters per Styrofoam box (4 and 8 emitters). Each planting box was irrigated daily and fertigated with a complete nutrient solution. Shoot dry weight was not affected by plant density. However, yield increased with plant density and emitter number. Leaf-blade NO3- concentration was not affected by the interaction between plant density and number of emitters, but petioles NO3- concentration was greater in treatment with 160 plants/m2 and 8 emitters. Although leaf-blade NO3- concentration was not affected by plant density, it decreased with the number of emitters. On the other hand, petiole NO3- concentration was not affected by plant density or number of emitters. Leaf-blade NO3- concentration ranged from 3.2 to 4.1 mg/g fresh weight, occurring the highest value in the treatment with 280 plants/m2 and 4 emitters. Petiole NO3- concentration ranged from 3.5 to 5.3 mg/g fresh weight, values that were higher than allowed by EU regulation.

Nitrate and potassium concentration in fertigated soil cultivated with wine vines.

In the semiarid region of Brazil the use of irrigation systems for applying fertilizers in horticulture is the primary means for incorporating nutrients in the soil. However, this technique still requires its use in wine vines to be assessed. In view of this, this study aimed to assess nitrate and potassium concentrations in soil fertigated with nitrogen and potassium fertilizers in 3 wine grape growing cycles. A field experiment was conducted with ?Syrah? wine grapes, in Petrolina, Pernambuco, Brazil; it assessed five nitrogen doses (0, 15, 30, 60 and 120 kg ha-1) and five K2O doses (0, 15, 30, 60 and 120 kg ha-1) applied by drip irrigation system with two emitters per plant, with a flow rate of 4 L h-1. The experimental design used was the factorial split-plot, making up 13 combinations arranged in 4 randomized blocks. Soil solution samples were collected weekly with the aid of porous cup extractors for all treatments and at depths of 0.4 and 0.6 m by determining nitrate and potassium concentrations and electrical conductivity. Increased levels of both nutrients in the irrigation water increased the availability of nitrate and potassium in the soil solution. The highest nitrate and potassium concentrations were found in the second growing cycle at both depths studied.

Microbial activities in soils cultivated with transgenic maize expressing Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1 Ab and Cry1 F genes.

A área brasileira plantada com milho geneticamente modificado (GM) expressando genes Cry derivados da bactéria do solo Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) aumentou de 4,9% (5,0 milhões de hectares) da área total plantada em 2009 para 81,4% (15,83 milhões de hectares) em 2014. No entanto, estudos sobre os efeitos da tecnologia Bt-milho sobre microrganismos não alvo em solos tropicais são incipientes. Dessa forma, foi realizado experimento de campo para avaliar a atividade fisiológica das comunidades bacterianas associadas com genótipos de milho Bt plantados em Latossolo Vermelho Escuro do Cerrado e solos hidromórficos da planície com inundações localizadas. Um híbrido não transgênico (30F35) e seus homólogos transgênicos 30F35Y (Cry1Ab) e 30F35H (Cry1F) foram plantados com delineamento de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Solos rizosféricos e não rizosféricos coletados de plantas no estádio de florescimento foram submetidos aos ensaios de diversidade metabólica com Biolog e atividades enzimáticas de urease, arginase, fosfatase ácida e fosfatase alcalina. Solos rizosféricos apresentaram maior atividade microbiana e não foram detectadas diferenças significativas entre os genótipos em todos os parâmetros bioquímicos e de solo avaliados. Os resultados sugerem que o milho Bt não afeta negativamente a comunidade microbiana dos solos tropicais.

Contents and bioconversion of B-glycoside isoflavones to aglycones in the processing conditions of soybean tempeh.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the processing conditions of soybean tempeh on the contents of ??glycoside isoflavones and on their bioconversion into aglycones. Different times of soaking (6, 12, and 18 hours), cooking (15, 30, and 45 minutes), and fermentation (18, 24, and 30 hours) with Rhizopus oligosporus at 37°C were evaluated for tempeh preparation. Grains from the cultivar 'BRS 267' were used, and the experiment was carried out according to a central composite design (23). The response functions comprised the contents of genistin, malonyldaidzin, malonylgenistin, daidzein, and genistein, quantified by ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC). Soaking, cooking, and fermentation times change the content, profile, and distribution of the different forms of isoflavones in tempeh. The highest bioconversion of glycoside isoflavones into aglycones occurred in 6?hour soaked soybean grains, whose cotyledons were cooked for 15 minutes and subjected to 18?hour fermentation. RESUMO:O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito das condições de processamento do tempeh de soja sobre o conteúdo de isoflavonas ??glicosídeos e sobre sua bioconversão em agliconas. Diferentes tempos de maceração (6, 12 e 18 horas), cozimento (15, 30 e 45 minutos) e fermentação (18, 24 e 30 horas) com Rhizopus oligosporus a 37°C foram avaliados na preparação do tempeh. Foram utilizados grãos da cultivar 'BRS 267', e o experimento foi realizado de acordo com um delineamento composto central (23). As funções?respostas compreenderam o teor de genistina, malonildaidzina, malonilgenistina, daidzeína e genisteína, quantificadas por cromatografia líquida de ultraeficiência (CLUE). Os tempos de maceração, cozimento e fermentação alteraram o conteúdo, o perfil e a distribuição das diferentes formas de isoflavonas no tempeh. A maior bioconversão de ??glicosídeos em agliconas ocorreu em grãos de soja macerados por 6 horas, cujos cotilédones foram cozidos por 15 minutos e submetidos à fermentação por 18 horas.