Inactive and mutagenic effects induced by carbon beams of different LET values in a red yeast strain

To evaluate biological action of microorganism exposed to charged particles during the long distance space exploration. Induction of inactivation and mutation in a red yeast strain Rhodotorula glutinis AY 91015 by carbon beams of different LET values (14.9-120 0 keV mu m(-1)) was investigated It was found that survival curves were exponential, and mutation curves were linear for all LET values The dependence of inactivation cross section on LET approached saturation near 120 0 keV mu m(-1) The imitation cross section saturated when LET was higher than 582 keV mu m(-1) Meanwhile, the highest RBEI for inactivation located at 120 0 key mu m(-1) and the highest RBEm for mutation was at 58.2 key mu m(-1) The experiments imply that the most efficient mutagenic part of the depth dose profile of carbon ion is at the plateau region with intermediate LET value in which energy deposited is high enough to Induce mutagenic lesions but too low to induce over kill effect in the yeast cells (C) 2010 Elsevier B V All rights reserved

Synthesis of CdTe nanocrystals using Te nanorods as the Te source and the formation of microtubes with red fluorescence

Here, we report an alternative route to the preparation of highly luminescent CdTe nanocrystals (NCs) using Te nanorods instead of freshly prepared NaHTe as the Te source via a one-pot route under hydrothermal conditions. Furthermore, microtubes with red fluorescence were generated via simply aging the above CdTe NC suspension under ambient conditions.

PHYLOGEOGRAPHIC PATTERNS INDICATE TRANSATLANTIC MIGRATION FROM EUROPE TO NORTH AMERICA IN THE RED SEAWEED CHONDRUS CRISPUS (GIGARTINALES, RHODOPHYTA)1

Inferring how the Pleistocene climate oscillations have repopulated the extant population structure of Chondrus crispus Stackh. in the North Atlantic Ocean is important both for our understanding of the glacial episode promoting diversification and for the conservation and development of marine organisms. C. crispus is an ecologically and commercially important red seaweed with broad distributions in the North Atlantic. Here, we employed both partial mtDNA Cox1 and nrDNA internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS2) sequences to explore the genetic structure of 17 C. crispus populations from this area. Twenty-eight and 30 haplotypes were inferred from these two markers, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and of the population statistic Theta(ST) not only revealed significant genetic structure within C. crispus populations but also detected significant levels of genetic subdivision among and within populations in the North Atlantic. On the basis of high haplotype diversity and the presence of endemic haplotypes, we postulate that C. crispus had survived in Pleistocene glacial refugia in the northeast Atlantic, such as the English Channel and the northwestern Iberian Peninsula. We also hypothesize that C. crispus from the English Channel refugium repopulated most of northeastern Europe and recolonized northeastern North America in the Late Pleistocene. The observed phylogeographic pattern of C. crispus populations is in agreement with a scenario in which severe Quaternary glaciations influenced the genetic structure of North Atlantic marine organisms with contiguous population expansion and locally restricted gene flow coupled with a transatlantic dispersal in the Late Pleistocene.

In vitro antioxidative activities of extract and semi-purified fractions of the marine red alga, Rhodomela confervoides (Rhodomelaceae)

The methanol-chloroform extract of the marine red alga, Rhodomela confervoides, was measured for antioxidant activity, using the alpha,alpha-diphenyl-beta-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging assay and the beta-carotene-linoleate bleaching assay systems, and compared with those of the positive Controls of butylated hydroxytoluene, gallic acid and ascorbic acid, The active extract was further purified by liquid-liquid partition to afford four fractions, of which the ethyl acetate-soluble (EA) fraction exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity in both assay systems. This fraction was further divided into seven subfractions, designated as EA1-EA7, by silica gel vacuum liquid chromatography. in most cases, EA1 and EM Were found to possess the strongest activity. The total phenolic contents and reducing powers of the extract, fractions, and subfractions were also determined. Significant associations between the antioxidant potency and the total phenolic content, as well as between the antioxidant potency and the reducing power, were found for the tested fractions and subfractions. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Species identification in salted products of red snappers by semi-nested PCR-RFLP based on the mitochondria 12S rRNA gene sequence

A molecular approach was developed to distinguish species of red snappers among commercial salted fish products. The specific fragments of the mitocliondrial 12S rRNA gene, which were about 450 bp, were obtained using the semi-nested polymerase chain reaction (semi-nested PCR). Subsequently, PCR amplicons were sequenced, aiming to select restriction endonucleases that generated species-specific restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) profiles. Discrimination of red snappers Lutjanus sanguineus, L. erythopterus from L. argentintaculatus, L. malabarius and other morphologically similar fishes such as Lethrinus leutjanus and Pinjalo pinjalo was feasible by one restriction digestion reaction with three endonucleases Hae III, Sca I and SnaB I, however, for differentiation of L. sattguineus and L. erythopterus, another restriction digestion reaction with single restriction endonuclease Mae II was needed. The seminested PCR-RFLP was demonstrated to be reliable in species identification of salted fish products in this study. (c) 2005 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Evaluation of antioxidant property of extract and fractions obtained from a red alga, Polysiphonia urceolata

Antioxidant activity (AA), total phenolic content, and reducing power of the crude extract, fractions, and subfractions derived from a red alga, Polysiphonia urceolata, were evaluated and determined. The antioxidative activity was measured using the alpha,alpha-diphenyl-beta-pierylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and the P-carotene-linoleate assay systems, and compared with that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), gallic acid (GA), and ascorbic acid (AscA). The results showed that the crude extract and the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction exhibited higher AA than BHT in the DPPH assay model, at all of four concentration levels tested (from 0.4 to 50 mu g/ml), while, in the beta-carotene-linoleate assay system, the crude extract and the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction exhibited similar or, in most cases, higher AA than GA and AscA at the same concentrations (from 10 to 200 mu g/ml). The ethyl acetate-soluble fraction was further fractionated into seven subfractions F1-F7 by silica gel vacuum liquid chromatography. F1 was found to be the most effective subfraction in both assay systems. The total phenolic content and reducing power were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu and the potassium ferricyanide reduction methods, respectively. Statistical analysis indicated a significant association between the antioxidant potency and total phenolic content as well as between the antioxidant potency and reducing power. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Biological activity of a red-tide alga - A-tamarense under co-cultured condition with bacteria

The relationship between Alexandrium tamarense (Lebour) Balech, one of red-tide alga, and two strains of marine bacteria, Bacillius megaterium(S-7) and B. halmapulus(S-10) isolated from Xiamen Western Sea, was investigated by evaluating the growth state of A. tamarense and the variation of P-glucosidase activity in co-culture system. The results showed the growth and multiplication of the alga were related with the concentration, genus speciality of the bacteria, and growth stage of the alga itself. The growth of A. tamarense was obviously inhibited by S7 and S, at high concentration. Either inhibition or promotion contributed much more clearly in earlier than in later stage of the growth of the alga. Furthermore, there was a roughly similar variation trend of the activity of extra-cellular enzyme, beta-glucosidase, in the water of the separately co-cultured bacteria S-7 and S-10 with the alga. The beta-glucosidase activity (beta-GlcA) rapidly increased during the later algal growth accompanying the increase of the lysis of the alga cells. The obvious inhibition of A. tamarense by marine bacteria at high concentration and evident increase of beta-GlcA in co-colture system would help us in better understanding the relationship between red-tide alga and bacteria, and also enlightened us the possible use of bacteria in the bio-control of red-tide.

Two new norisoprenoid derivatives from the red alga Gymnogongrus flabelliformis

Two new norisoprenoid derivatives have been isolated from the red alga Gymnogongrus flabelliformis. Their structures were elucidated as (3R, 6R, 7E)-(+)-3-O-phenylacetyl-4,7-megastigmadiene-9-one and (3R,7E)-(-)-3-O-phenylacetyl-5,7-megastigmadiene-9-one, respectively, by spectroscopic methods including HRMS, 1D and 2D NMR techniques.

A multidisciplinary approach for puzzling over fish connectivity in the Mediterranean Sea: The role of early life history stages of red mullet (Mullus barbatus)

Integrating connectivity patterns into marine ecosystem management is a fundamental step, specially for stock subjected to the combined impacts of human activities (overfishing, habitat degradation, etc.) and climate changes. Thus, management of marine resources must incorporates the spatial scales over which the populations are connected. Notwithstanding, studying these dynamics remains a crucial and hard task and the predictions of the temporal and spatial patterns of these mechanisms are still particularly challenging. This thesis aims to puzzle over the red mullet Mullus barbatus population connectivity in the Western Mediterranean Sea, by implementing a multidisciplinary approach. Otolith sclerochronology, larval dispersal modelling and genetic techniques were gathered in this study. More particularly, this research project focused on early life history stages of red mullet and their role in the characterization of connectivity dynamics. The results show that M. barbatus larval dispersal distances can reach a range of 200 km. The differences in early life traits (i.e. PLD, spawning and settlement dates) observed between various areas of the Western Mediterranean Sea suggest a certain level of larval patchiness, likely due to the occurrence of different spawning pulses during the reproductive period. The dispersal of individuals across distant areas, even not significant in demographic terms, is accountable for the maintenance of the genetic flow among different demes. Fluctuations in the level of exchange among different areas, due to the variability of the source-sink dynamics, could have major implications in the population connectivity patterns. These findings highlight the reliability of combining several approaches and represent a benchmark for the definition of a proper resource management, with considerable engagements in effectively assuring the beneficial effects of the existent and future conservation strategies.

Robotic Assembly of Naturally Varying Food Items via Teaching by Example

T. G. Williams, J.J. Rowland, and Lee M.H., Robotic Assembly of Naturally Varying Food Items via Teaching by Example, 9th Int. Symp. on Intelligent Robotic Systems (SIRS 2001), July 2001, France, pp133-142.

The impact of conifer plantation forestry on the ecology of peatland lakes

Blanket bog lakes are a characteristic feature of blanket bog habitats and harbour many rare and threatened invertebrate species. Despite their potential conservation value, however, very little is known about their physico-chemical or biological characteristics in western Europe, and their reference conditions are still unknown in Ireland. Furthermore, they are under considerable threat in Ireland from a number of sources, particularly afforestation of their catchments by exotic conifers. Plantation forestry can potentially lead to the increased input of substances including hydrogen ions (H+), plants nutrients, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), heavy metals and sediment. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of conifer plantation forestry on the hydrochemistry and ecology of blanket bog lakes in western Ireland. Lake hydrochemistry, littoral Chydoridae (Cladocera) and littoral macroinvertebrate communities were compared among replicate lakes selected from three distinct catchment land use categories: i) unplanted blanket bog only present in the catchment, ii) mature (closed-canopy) conifer plantation forests only present in the catchment and iii) catchments containing mature conifer plantation forests with recently clearfelled areas. All three catchment land uses were replicated across two geologies: sandstone and granite. Lakes with afforested catchments across both geologies had elevated concentrations of phosphorus (P), nitrogen (N), total dissolved organic carbon (TDOC), aluminium (Al) and iron (Fe), with the highest concentrations of each parameter recorded from lakes with catchment clearfelling. Dissolved oxygen concentrations were also significantly reduced in the afforested lakes, particularly the clearfell lakes. This change in lake hydrochemistry was associated with profound changes in lake invertebrate communities. Within the chydorid communities, the dominance of Alonopsis elongata in the unplanted blanket bog lakes shifted to dominance by the smaller bodied Chydorus sphaericus, along with Alonella nana, Alonella excisa and Alonella exigua, in the plantation forestry-affected lakes, consistent with a shift in lake trophy. Similarly, there was marked changes in the macroinvertebrate communities, especially for the Coleoptera and Heteroptera assemblages which revealed increased taxon richness and abundance in the nutrient-enriched lakes. In terms of conservation status, despite having the greatest species-quality scores (SQS) and species richness, three of the four International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red-listed species of Coleoptera and Odonata recorded during the study were absent from lakes subject to catchment clearfelling. The relative strengths of bottom-up (forestry-mediated nutrient enrichment) and top-down (fish) forces in structuring littoral macroinvertebrate communities was investigated in a separate study. Nutrient enrichment was shown to be the dominant force acting on communities, with fish having a lesser influence. These results confirmed that plantation forestry poses the single greatest threat to the conservation status of blanket bog lakes in western Ireland. The findings of this study have major implications for the management of afforested peatlands. Further research is required on blanket bog lakes to prevent any further plantation forestry-mediated habitat deterioration of this rare and protected habitat.

Development of food ingredients for modulation of glycemia

Starches are a source of digestible carbohydrate and are frequently used in formulated food products in the presence of other carbohydrates, proteins and fat. This thesis explored the effect of addition of neutral (Konjac glucomannan) or charged (milk proteins) polymers on the physical characteristics and digestion kinetics of waxy maize starch. The aim was to identify mechanisms to modulate the pasting properties and subsequent susceptibility to amylolytic digestion. Addition of αs- or β-caseinate protein fractions to waxy maize starch restricted granular swelling during gelatinisation, increasing granule integrity. It was shown that, while β-caseinate can adsorb to starch granules during pasting, αscaseinate can be absorbed into maize starch granules. The resultant effect was a reduction in granule size after heating, more intact granules and a subsequent decrease in starch digestion in vitro as determined by analysis of reducing sugars. The ability of αs-caseinate to reduce the level of amylolytic digestion was confirmed through in vivo pig (Teagasc, Moorepark) and human (University of Surrey, UK) trials. The scope of the thesis extended to the development of a new automated cell for attachment to a rheometer to measure digestion kinetics of starch-protein mixtures. In conclusion, the thesis offers new approaches to modulation of the physical characteristics of unmodified starch during gelatinisation and suggests that the type of protein and/or polysaccharide used in starch-based food systems may influence the ability of the food to modulate glycemia. This is an important consideration in the design of foods with positive health benefits.

National food consumption surveys: micronutrient intakes and the role of fortified foods in the diets of Irish pre-school children and adults

This research investigated the micronutrient intakes of Irish pre-school children (1-4 years) and adults (18-64 years) and the role that fortified foods (FFs) play in the diets of these population groups. Dietary intake data were collected as part of the National Pre-school Nutrition Survey (NPNS) (2010-2011) and the National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS) (2008-2010) using 4-day food and beverage records. Nutrient intakes were estimated using WISP©, which encompasses McCance and Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods and the Irish Food Composition Database. A FF is one in which one or more micronutrients are added. Key dietary sources of micronutrients in NPNS and NANS were “milk”, “meat & meat products”, “breakfast cereals”, “fruit & fruit juices” and “breads”. In general, intakes of most micronutrients were adequate with the exception of iron (1 year old children and adult women) and vitamin D (in all population groups). Small proportions of the pre-school population had intakes which exceeded the upper level (UL) (zinc: 11%, folic acid: 5%, retinol: 4%, copper: 2%). Less than 2% of adults had intakes of iron, copper, zinc and vitamin B6 which exceeded the UL. FFs were consumed by 97% of pre-school children and 82% of adults, representing 17% and 9% of mean daily energy intake respectively. Relative to energy intake, FFs contributed substantially greater proportions to intakes of key micronutrients, such as iron and vitamin D. FFs were effective in reducing the prevalence of inadequate micronutrient intakes in these population groups, particularly for iron in women and 1 year old children. FFs made a significant contribution to folate intake in women of childbearing age (72µg). FFs contributed greater proportions of carbohydrate and lower proportions of fat to the diets of consumers. Voluntary addition of nutrients to foods did not contribute appreciably to intakes exceeding the UL in these population groups.

Engineering design of a bioprocess for the production of natural red colourants by submerged fermentation of the thermophilic fungus Penicillium purpurogenum GH2

The development of a new bioprocess requires several steps from initial concept to a practical and feasible application. Industrial applications of fungal pigments will depend on: (i) safety of consumption, (ii) stability of the pigments to the food processing conditions required by the products where they will be incorporated and (iii) high production yields so that production costs are reasonable. Of these requirements the first involves the highest research costs and the practical application of this type of processes may face several hurdles until final regulatory approval as a new food ingredient. Therefore, before going through expensive research to have them accepted as new products, the process potential should be assessed early on, and this brings forward pigment stability studies and process optimisation goals. Only ingredients that are usable in economically feasible conditions should progress to regulatory approval. This thesis covers these two aspects, stability and process optimisation, for a potential new ingredient; natural red colour, produced by microbial fermentation. The main goal was to design, optimise and scale-up the production process of red pigments by Penicillium purpurogenum GH2. The approach followed to reach this objective was first to establish that pigments produced by Penicillium purpurogenum GH2 are sufficiently stable under different processing conditions (thermal and non-thermal) that can be found in food and textile industries. Once defined that pigments were stable enough, the work progressed towards process optimisation, aiming for the highest productivity using submerged fermentation as production culture. Optimum production conditions defined at flask scale were used to scale up the pigment production process to a pilot reactor scale. Finally, the potential applications of the pigments were assessed. Based on this sequence of specific targets, the thesis was structured in six parts, containing a total of nine chapters. Engineering design of a bioprocess for the production of natural red colourants by submerged fermentation of the thermophilic fungus Penicillium purpurogenum GH2.

Morphometrics and testicle size of rain forest lemur species from southeastern Madagascar

Six species of prosimians inhabiting the montane rain forest of the Ranomafana National Park located in southeastern Madagascar were captured, weighed, and measured during the months of May or June of 1987, 1988, and 1989. There were no significant differences in body weights and measurements between male and femaleEulemur rubriventer (red-bellied lemur) orEulemur fulvus rufus (red-fronted lemur). Adult femalePropithecus diadema edwardsi (Milne Edward's sifaka) were heavier than males but the difference was not significant. A fewAvahi laniger laniger (woolly lemur),Hapalemur aureus (golden bamboo lemur) andH. g. griseus (gentle bamboo lemur) also were captured and measured. Body weights of the same individual adultP. d. edwardsi changed over the three years, suggesting variation in food availability. Although there was no difference in body weight among adult males of two groups ofP. d. edwardsi, one male in each group had a testicular volume four times larger than that of other males, even though these measurements were taken five months after the breeding season. These data suggest that only one adult male mates in each group. Testicular size of the polygynousE. f. rufus males was significantly larger than that of the monogamousE. rubriventer. © 1992 Academic Press Limited.