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Fundamental aspects concerning the inter and intramolecular properties of association complexes of metals and molecules of biological interest are not yet fully understood. The study of their structures and dynamics is an important research field for applications in chemistry and pharmacology. Information on their intrinsic properties can be gathered by studying isolated molecules and their complexes in a solvent-free environment, which permits a comparison with high-level theoretical calculations. Most of the biological molecules have, however, extremely low vapor pressure and are thermally labile. Many efforts have been made to find new vaporization methods. Pulsed laser ablation (PLA) technique proved to be suitable to desorbe solid amino acids and nucleic bases and their complexes with metals, in neutral and ionized states, and to perform mass spectrometry in gas-phase. Here we report mass spectra of biomolecules complexed with metals, generated by laser ablation PLA-mass spectrometry, or ablation followed by supersonic expansion (REMPI).

The exploitation of fossil fuels in the Mediterranean Sea will likely lead to an increase in the number of offshore platforms, a recognized threat for marine biodiversity. To date, in this basin, few attempts have been made to assess the impact of offshore gas and oil platforms on the biodiversity of benthic assemblages. Here, we adopted a structured experimental design coupled with high taxonomic resolution to outline putative effects of gas platforms on soft-bottom macrofauna assemblages in the North Ionian Sea. The analysis was based on a total of 20,295 specimens of 405 taxa, almost entirely identified at species level. Multivariate and univariate analyses showed idiosyncratic patterns of assemblage change with increasing distance from the platforms. Potential reasons underlying such inconsistency are analyzed and the view that structured experimental monitoring is a crucial tool to quantify the extent and magnitude of potential threats and to provide sound baseline information on biodiversity patterns is supported. The exploitation of fossil fuels in the Mediterranean Sea will likely lead to an increase in the number of offshore platforms, a recognized threat for marine biodiversity. To date, in this basin, few attempts have been made to assess the impact of offshore gas and oil platforms on the biodiversity of benthic assemblages. Here, we adopted a structured experimental design coupled with high taxonomic resolution to outline putative effects of gas platforms on soft-bottom macrofauna assemblages in the North Ionian Sea. The analysis was based on a total of 20,295 specimens of 405 taxa, almost entirely identified at species level. Multivariate and univariate analyses showed idiosyncratic patterns of assemblage change with increasing distance from the platforms. Potential reasons underlying such inconsistency are analyzed and the view that structured experimental monitoring is a crucial tool to quantify the extent and magnitude of potential threats and to provide sound baseline information on biodiversity patterns is supported.

The distribution of molluscan assemblages across and along a vertical rocky cliff near Otranto (southern Adriatic Sea, Italy) was studied. Sampling was undertaken in May and November 2000 at three sites approximately 100 m apart. Three depths (5, 15, 25 m) were sampled at each site, by scraping off three replicate 20×20 cm quadrats. Samples yielded 6722 specimens, referred to as 133 species. Multivariate analyses showed that the structure of the assemblages significantly differed among depths with a clear gradient of distribution from shallow to deep stands. However, a considerable variation in the structure of the assemblage was also observed among sites at each of the three depths. The species contributing most to characterize depths and/or differentiating sites at each level of the shore were identified. Some potential causes of the observed differences are discussed.

The characteristics and nutritional quality of fresh-cut vegetable products during shelf-life depend on the raw material as well as on pre- and post-harvest factors. In this work, three of the commercially most widespread lettuce cultivars ('Montego', 'Great Lakes 118' and 'Salad Bowl'), characterised by different qualitative traits, were cultivated under two different conditions, processed using standard conditions for fresh-cut lettuce, packaged in plastic trays and stored for 9 d at 5°C. Visual and texture analyses were performed, with determinations of polyphenol composition and of anti-oxidant activity. The results showed that the concentration of polyphenols was different in the three varieties, and was highest in 'Salad Bowl'. The main polyphenols found were chlorogenic acid and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside in 'Montego', chlorogenic acid and quercetin-3-O-glucoside in 'Great Lakes', and kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, rutin and dicaffeoyltartaric acid in 'Salad Bowl'.The practice of mulching during the growing period leads to an increase in yield; moreover, it also affects the total quantity of polyphenols, but not the qualitative pattern of polyphenols formed in each variety. During storage, a deterioration in sensory characteristics was observed, but this was not accompanied by any significant change in polyphenol content.