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It is well known that AM symbiosis provides several ecosystem services leading to plant adaptation in different environmental conditions and positively affects physiological and production features. Although beneficial effects from grapevine and AM fungi interactions have been reported, the impact on growth-defence tradeoff features has still to be elucidated. In this study, the potential benefits of an inoculum formed by two AM fungal species, with or without a monosaccharide addition, were evaluated on young grapevine cuttings grafted onto 1103P and SO4 rootstocks. Inoculated and non-inoculated plants were maintained in potted vineyard substrate under greenhouse conditions for 3 months. Here, agronomic features were combined with biochemical and molecular techniques to assess the influence of the different treatments. Despite the opposite behaviour of the two selected rootstocks, in AM samples, the evaluation of gene expression, agronomic traits and metabolites production revealed an involvement of the whole root microbiome in the growth-defence tradeoff balancing. Noteworthy, we showed that rootstock genotypes and treatments shaped the root-associated microbes, stimulating plant growth and defence pathways. Progresses in this field would open new perspectives, enabling the application of AMF or their inducers to achieve a more sustainable agriculture also in light of the ongoing climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ethno-pharmaceutical use of the edible fixed oil produced from lentisk (Pistacia lentiscus) berries covers a long tradition in several Mediterranean regions. Many of the health-promoting properties of lentisk berry oil (LBO) have been associated with the content of polar (poly)phenolic compounds. However, the polar fraction (methanol 80%, v/v) of LBO (LBO-pf) remains poorly and inadequately characterized. We assessed the phytochemical composition (fatty acids, phytosterols and polyphenols) of cold-pressed LBO produced in Cilento (Campania region, Italy) over four years of production (2015–2018). Main phenolic compounds present in LBO-pf were identified and semi-quantified combining ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS) and HPLC with diode array detection. Phenolic compounds, also responsible for oil stability and antioxidant properties, are relatively abundant in LBO, compared to other edible oils. LBO-pf induced clear dose-dependent effects on the growth of HT-29 cell line derived from human colorectal adenocarcinoma, as evidenced by the cell cycle arrest. Our data support the health-promoting properties of cold-pressed LBO, which is obtained with good yield from spontaneous plants growing in semiarid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater crayfish are bioindicators of environmental pollution, often used for the assessment of heavy metal (HM) presence in the tissues, a time-consuming and expensive task. In this study, we propose the use of the vibrational spectroscopy to detect in a fast, non-destructive and sensitive way the presence of HM in the cephalothorax exoskeleton of the freshwater crayfish. Incorporation of HM into the cephalothorax exoskeleton was investigated under controlled laboratory conditions. In particular, the cephalothorax exoskeleton of five crayfish species (Astacus leptodactylus, Procambarus clarkii, Austropotamobius pallipes, Faxonius limosus, and Pacifastacus leniusculus) was analyzed by attenuated total reflection–Fourier transformed infrared (ATR–FTIR) spectroscopy in the presence or absence of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) up to 4 weeks at various concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, ppm). The ATR–FTIR profile of the crayfish cephalothorax exoskeleton was compatible with the presence of amorphous calcium carbonate, chitin, and proteins. The incubation with the HM revealed two main modifications: the shift of the peak from 859 to 872 cm−1 and the appearance of a peak at 712 cm−1. Both are ascribable to the HM interaction with calcium carbonate. The absorbance of both peaks increased along with the time of incubation, and the HM concentration. We conclude that ATR–FTIR analysis can be a useful, quick, and cost-sensitive tool to detect HM presence in the crayfish cephalothorax exoskeleton. However, it has to be regarded as a non-specific analytical technique for assessing HM contamination, since it is unable to discriminate between different HM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most of the bread on the market contains several additional ingredients compared to those used for traditional baking (flour, water, yeast, and salt). Modern bread is often baked using enzymatic dough improvers, which, as technological aids, can be omitted on the label. Baking mixes also can contain varying percentages of hard fat or their derivatives. The possible animal origin of enzymes or fats in bread might remain unknown, raising ethical concerns for some categories of consumers. Herein, an array of analytical methodologies recently exploited to disclose the origin of enzymes in dough improvers has been extended to the detection of pig-derived ingredients in bread. PCR amplification of a mitochondrial cytochrome b (mt-Cytb) gene region enabled the detection of even trace amounts of porcine DNA in bread. Porcine pancreatic α-amylase was detected in bread spiked with porcine pancreatic enzymes using both Western blot and HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry-based targeted or untargeted proteomics. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) enabled quick discrimination between lard-containing (1%, w/w) and conventional bread. However, gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acids produced characteristic patterns for bread baked with lard or other oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flour from seed germ of European carob (Ceratonia siliqua) and South American algarrobo (Prosopis spp.) is a potential ingredient for health-promoting baked products. Herein, lipids from germ of three Argentinean Prosopis (P. alba, P. nigra, and P. ruscifolia) and one European carob species were characterized in detail, exploiting an array of up-to-date analytical techniques. Total lipids ranged from 7.1 to 8.1% (w/w). Linoleic acid (C18:2, ω-6) predominated the GC flame ionization detector profiles of fatty acid in all samples (43.3-50.6%). Prosopis spp. contained 6-7% of C20-C24 fatty acids and, consistently, C56-C60 triacylglycerols, as detected by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS), which were practically missing in C. siliqua germ. Phospholipids were isolated by hydroxyapatite chromatography, characterized by MALDI-TOF MS and grossly quantified by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Because of a relatively high content (9.5-11.8%, v/v), phospholipids might increase the antioxidant potential and improve the baking performances of flour fortified with carob and algarrobo seed germ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the effects of polyphenols on the chemical composition of the hepatopancreas of the Astacus leptodactylus, a highly sought farmed crayfish, have been investigated by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The hepatopancreas spectrum was quite complex and contained several peaks arising from the contribution of different functional groups belonging to protein, lipids and carbohydrates. The PCA statistical analysis revealed that there were significant differences between crayfish fed a diet without polyphenols and crayfish fed a diet containing polyphenols. Such differences indicated an increase in lipids and proteins in the hepatopancreas of polyphenol-fed crayfish. In conclusion, the analysis of the infrared spectral profile of the hepatopancreas of Astacus leptodactylus, allowed us to elucidate the changes in different biomolecules in response to polyphenol treatment, and confirms the suitability of ATR-FTIR spectral data to analyze diet-induced metabolic effects. These considerations, coupled with the small amount of sample and no preparation needed, make ATR-FTIR a useful tool for routine analyses where the metabolic impact of substances is investigated, especially with a large number of samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent considerations have highlighted the great potential that can arise from extinct ecotypes above all in the so-called marginal areas, where the exploitation of these crops may have the environmental protection value, and in addition, a social value promoting employment in the areas subjects to depopulation. Moreover, many studies have confirmed that regularly consume of beans and other legumes helps to prevent and cure several degenerative diseases. Therefore, in the present work, four “niche” bean ecotypes were characterized from morphological and health point of view to exalt their territorial vocation and give it a sort of identity card or food fingerprint. Beans were characterized by chemical composition, fatty acid, sterols’ profile, and micro/macroelements. The results of this study suggest that the chemical and biochemical characteristics of different bean local Mediterranean ecotypes can be considered of high nutritional quality from a health point of view and their consumption is also a way to preserve the agricultural biodiversity. Among the varieties examined, there is someone richer in health components (sterols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and some macroelements) than others. Polyunsaturated fatty acids predominated in all samples, ranging from 44 to 72% of total fatty acids, while they exhibited always the following phytosterol profiles: β-sitosterol > stigmasterol > ∆5-avenasterol > campesterol. Brassicasterol was absent in all analyzed samples. Among the four legumes (dry matter), sample Q had the highest concentration of Potassium (14.41 g Kg−1) and calcium (2.32 g Kg−1), while the same elements resulted lowest in sample M (11.3 and 0.82 g Kg−1, respectively). Magnesium content resulted major in ecotype Z (16.46 g Kg−1) and B (15.90 g Kg−1). Concerning the mean concentrations of microelements in all the analyzed samples, the order was found to be: Fe > Zn > Mn > Cu > Mo > Ni. Finally, ATR-FTIR spectra could give an immediately evaluation semi-quantitative of macronutritional components of analyzed samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Main conclusion AM symbiosis did not strongly affect Arundo donax performances under salt stress, although differences in the plants inoculated with two different fungi were recorded. The mechanisms at the basis of the improved tolerance to abiotic stresses by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have been investigated mainly focusing on food crops. In this work, the potential impact of AM symbiosis on the performance of a bioenergy crop, Arundo donax, under saline conditions was considered. Specifically, we tried to understand whether AM symbiosis helps this fast-growing plant, often widespread in marginal soils, withstand salt. A combined approach, involving eco-physiological, morphometric and biochemical measurements, was used and the effects of two different AM fungal species (Funneliformis mosseae and Rhizophagus irregularis) were compared. Results indicate that potted A. donax plants do not suffer permanent damage induced by salt stress, but photosynthesis and growth are considerably reduced. Since A. donax is a high-yield biomass crop, reduction of biomass might be a serious agronomical problem in saline conditions. At least under the presently experienced growth conditions, and plant-AM combinations, the negative effect of salt on plant performance was not rescued by AM fungal colonization. However, some changes in plant metabolisms were observed following AM-inoculation, including a significant increase in proline accumulation and a trend toward higher isoprene emission and higher H2O2, especially in plants colonized by R. irregularis. This suggests that AM fungal symbiosis influences plant metabolism, and plant-AM fungus combination is an important factor for improving plant performance and productivity, in presence or absence of stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The analysis of mineral elements composition was determined in three wild edible herbs (Cichorium intybus L., Sonchus asper L. and Borago oicinalis) collected in seven different sampling sites which were characterized by different pollution grade. The detection of mineral elements (Ca, K, Mg and Na), micronutrients (Cu, Fe, Li, Mn and Zn) and heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg, Ni and Pb) was performed. Results: The results obtained show that in most cases a direct relationship appeared between the amount of elements and the sampling sites. The highest concentrations of heavy metals were found in samples grown in polluted soils. These evaluations showed that contaminants in plants may reflect the environmental state in which they develop. Conclusion: The examined species are a good source of mineral elements and micronutrients, making them particularly adapt to integrate a well-balanced diet. The accumulation of heavy metals showed that contaminants in plants may reflect the environmental state in which they develop. Results showed high concentrations of heavy metals in samples taken in locations characterized by high human activity and in some samples from the local market, of which no one knows the collection area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]