Search

This study was conducted to determine the effects of heat stress on the physiological and biochemical responses of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.; Diyar and Küsmen-99) cultivars that are both heat acclimated and non-acclimated. The seedlings were grown in soil for 15 days and then exposed to heat stress (35 °C, 5 days) after heat acclimation (30 °C, 2 days) or non-acclimation (25 °C, 2 days). Chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) measurements were analyzed using the JIP test. Heat acclimation had no significant effect on ChlF parameters. Seedlings exposed to higher temperatures by acclimation were more tolerant in terms of ChlF parameters and Diyar had a better photochemical activity of photosystem II (PSII). Heat stress resulted in a decrease in electron transport efficiency, quantum yield, photosynthetic performance, and driving force in both chickpea cultivars, while K-band, L-band, and quantum yield of dissipation increased, especially in the non-acclimated cultivars. Additionally, ion leakage (RLR), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and H2O2 synthesis increased in the cultivars, while water content (RWC), chlorophyll (a + b) content, and carotenoid content of the cultivars decreased. On the other hand, the cultivars attempted to eliminate reactive oxygen species (ROS) by increasing the content of anthocyanins and flavonoids and the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and POD) under heat stress. Heat acclimation alleviated the negative effects of heat stress on each cultivar’s water content, chlorophyll and carotenoid content, membrane damage, photosynthetic activity, and antioxidant defense systems. The results of this study showed that, by providing heat acclimation more effectively, Diyar was better able to cope with the biochemical and physiological alterations that could be resulted from heat stress.

The increasing need for sustainable food choices places a demand on developing palatable foods from lower impact production and with a suitable shelf-life. In this context, knowledge of the sensory properties of whole sterilised chickpeas is required to be able to make them more attractive to the consumers. The sensory quality of chickpeas is largely dependent on the aroma and flavour, which can be influenced by storage conditions. In this study, sterilised chickpeas in two different packaging materials with different oxygen permeabilities, stored up to 52 weeks at ambient temperature (20 °C) were investigated using both descriptive sensory profiling and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry – olfactometry analysis (GC-MS-O). During storage, intense, sulphury and meat-like aromas decreased in intensity, while with longer storage time hay-like, green-like and potato-like flavours and aromas became more apparent. A total of 40 odour-active volatiles were detected, of which some had properties reminiscent of the chickpea flavour profiles. However, no clear relationships could be established between these odorants and the sensory changes observed during storage by descriptive sensory analysis. It was concluded that, significant changes in the sensory attributes of sterilised chickpeas occurred during 52 weeks of storage, but that packaging material does not seem to largely influence the sensory attributes during storage., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • Significant sensory changes occur in sterilised chickpeas during 52 weeks storage. • 40 odour-active volatiles are detected in the sterilised chickpeas. • Sulphur compounds formed during sterilisation change during storage. • Hay and green attributes are perceived more intense with increased storage time. • Oxygen permeability of packaging does not impact the sensory quality during storage.

CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior A produção e a utilização de fertilizantes organominerais provenientes de lodo de esgoto podem contribuir para o crescimento e a produção de grão-de-bico, além de propiciar destinação adequada para esse resíduo urbano. O presente estudo teve o objetivo de produzir fertilizantes organominerais (FOM) à base de lodo e avaliar a produção de grão-de-bico submetida à adubação com FOM. A etapa inicial do estudo consistiu da produção de fertilizantes organominerais no formato pó ou granulado, utilizando-se duas fontes orgânicas de lodo (lodo compostado e biocarvão de lodo) e fontes simples de fertilizantes minerais contendo N, P e K (ureia, MAP e cloreto de potássio). A segunda etapa consistiu da utilização desses fertilizantes no cultivo de grão-de-bico da variedade BRS Aleppo. O experimento foi delineado em blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições, num esquema de análise 2x2+2, consistindo de duas fontes orgânicas para produção de fertilizante organomineral (lodo compostado – LC ou biocarvão de lodo – BL), duas formas de fertilizante (granulado ou pó) e duas testemunhas adicionais (adubação mineral com NPK na proporção 04:15:04 e testemunha – T). Para montagem do estudo em casa de vegetação, foram utilizados 30 vasos contendo o volume de 4 dm3 de um Cambissolo, misturado com areia na proporção 1:1 (solo: areia). Duas plantas por vaso foram cultivadas durante 122 dias, sendo que, no decorrer da instalação experimental, foram realizadas adubações de cobertura e tratos culturais (água deionizada, remoção manual de plantas daninhas e insetos-praga). A colheita das plantas foi realizada por meio da coleta da planta inteira (raiz, parte aérea, grãos, palha) e as partes das plantas foram secas em estufa com ventilação forçada (60-65ºC) até obtenção de peso constante. Também foram coletados amostras e solo para caracterização dos atributos químicos. A adubação organomineral com lodo compostado e biocarvão de lodo, na forma pó ou granulado, favoreceu a variável fisiológica índice de clorofila total e incrementou as características de produção (matéria seca de raiz, grãos, parte aérea, total, resíduos vegetais) em comparação ao tratamento sem adubação (T), e propiciou médias semelhantes àquelas encontradas no solo adubado com fertilizante mineral NPK. A aplicação de fertilizante granulado ou pó não diferiram entre si para a maioria das variáveis estudadas. Os resultados obtidos possibilitam inferir que a utilização de fertilizante organomineral à base de lodo apresenta potencial de produção de grão-de-bico semelhante ao obtido nos manejos que receberam somente adubação mineral. Assim sendo, a utilização de lodo pode ser considerada alternativa de manejo para formulação de fertilizantes organominerais e recomendação técnica nos cultivos agrícolas. The production and use of organomineral fertilizers coming from sewage sludge can contribute to the growth and production of chickpeas, in addition to providing adequate disposal for this urban waste. The study aimed to produce organomineral fertilizers (FOM) based on sludge and to evaluate the production of chickpeas submitted to fertilization with FOM. The initial stage of the study consisted of producing organomineral fertilizers in powder or granular form using two organic sources of sludge (composted sludge and sludge biochar) and simple sources of mineral fertilizers containing N, P and K (urea, MAP and chloride of potassium). The second stage consisted of using these fertilizers in the cultivation of chickpeas of the BRS Aleppo variety. The experiment was designed in randomized blocks, with five replications, in a 2x2+2 analysis scheme, consisting of two organic sources for the production of organomineral fertilizer (composted sludge - LC or sludge biochar - BL), two forms of fertilizer (granulated or powder) and two additional controls (mineral fertilization with NPK in the proportion 04:15:04 and T-control). To set up the study in a greenhouse were used 30 pots containing 4 dm3 of a Cambisoil, mixed with sand in a 1:1 ratio (soil:sand). Two plants per pot were grown for 122 days. Being that, during the experimental installation were carried out cover fertilization and cultural practices (deionized water, manual removal of weeds and insect pests). Plants harvested were carried out by collecting the entire plant (roots, shoots, grains, straw) and the plant parts were dried in an oven with forced ventilation (60-65°C) until constant weight was obtained. They were also collected samples and soil for the characterization of chemical attributes. The organomineral fertilization with composted sludge and sludge biochar, in powder or granular form, favored the physiological variable total chlorophyll index and incremented the production characteristics (root dry matter, grains, shoots, total, plant residues) compared to the treatment without fertilization (T), and provided averages similar to those found in the soil fertilized with NPK mineral fertilizer. The application of granulated or powdered fertilizer did not differ between them for most of the studied variables. The results obtained make it possible to infer that the use of organomineral fertilizer based on sludge presents a production potential for chickpea similar to that obtained in the managements that received only mineral fertilization, therefore, the use of sludge can be considered an alternative of management for formulation of organomineral fertilizers and technical recommendations on agricultural crops.

Undernutrition and mineral deficiencies negatively impact both the health and academic performance of school children, while diets high in phytic acid and some phenolics inhibit the absorption of minerals such as iron and zinc. This study developed instant porridge powders rich in iron and zinc using pregelatinized chickpea flour (PCPF) and pregelatinized foxtail millet flour (PFMF) and assessed the potential of utilizing roselle calyx powder (RCP) as a source of organic acids to enhance its iron and zinc bioaccessibility. Physical properties, nutrients, mineral inhibitors and in vitro iron and zinc bioaccessibility of different proportions of PCPF, PFMF and RCP in instant porridge powders were evaluated. Three instant porridge powder formulations including instant chickpea powder (ICP) using PCPF, instant composite flour (ICF) using PCPF and PFMF and instant pulse porridge powder (IPP) using PCPF, PFMF and RCP were developed. Results show that all instant porridge powders were accepted by sensory evaluation, while different ingredients impacted color, consistency and the viscosity index. Addition of RCP improved the bioaccessibility of iron (1.3–1.6-fold) and zinc (1.3–1.9-fold). A 70 g serving of these instant porridge powders substantially contributed to daily protein, iron and zinc requirement for children aged 7–9 years. These porridge powders hold potential to serve as school meals for young children in low-to-middle income countries.

Storage is a fundamental practice in the control of the physiological quality of seeds, as it is a method that can preserve their viability and vigor for a longer period. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the storage of chickpea seeds in different packagings, environments, and periods. The completely randomized design was used in a 2 × 2 × 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to two types of packaging (hermetic and Kraft® paper), two storage environments (cold chamber environment and conventional environment), and four storage periods (0, 45, 90, and 135 days), with four replicates. The seeds were placed in Kraft® paper bags and hermetic packagings and stored for 135 days in the environments: cold chamber (14.5 °C and relative air humidity of 65%) and conventional environment (no temperature and relative air humidity control). Every 45 days, seeds were subjected to the following evaluations: determination of water content, germination, first germination count and accelerated aging. In general, the maintenance of the physiological quality of chickpea seeds was verified in Kraft® paper packagings and the cold chamber environment. Storage of chickpea seeds in hermetic packaging must be carried out with seeds with 7% moisture, regardless of the storage environment. The packagings maintained the physiological quality of chickpea seeds for up to 45 days, regardless of the storage environment.

The aim of this work was to study the applicability of infrared spectroscopy combined with machine learning techniques to evaluate the uptake and distribution of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in Cicer arietinum L. (chickpea). Obtained spectral data revealed that the uptake of AuNPs and CNTs by the C. arietinum seedlings’ root resulted in the accumulation of AuNPs and CNTs at stem and leaf parts, which consequently led to the heterogeneous distribution of nanoparticles. principal component analysis and support vector machine classification were applied to assess its usefulness for evaluating the results obtained using the attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy method of C. arietinum plant grown at different conditions. Specific wavenumbers that could classify the different nanoparticle constituents of C. arietinum plant extracts according to their ATR-FTIR spectra were identified within three specific regions: 450–503 cm−1, 750–870 cm−1, and 1022–1218 cm−1, based on larger PCA loadings of C. arietinum ATR-FTIR spectra with distinct spectral differences between samples of interest. The current work paves a path to the future fabrication strategies for AuNPs and single-walled CNTs via plant-based routes and highlights the diversity of the applications of these materials in bio-nanotechnology. These results indicate the importance of family-plant selection, choice of methods, and pathways for the efficient biomolecule delivery, drug cargo, and optimal conditions in the wide spectrum of bioapplications.

Chickpeas are rich sources of bioactive compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, and isoflavonoids. However, the contribution of insoluble-bound phenolics to their antioxidant properties remains unclear. Four varieties of chickpeas were evaluated for the presence of soluble (free and esterified) and insoluble-bound phenolics as well as their antiradical activity, reducing power and inhibition of peroxyl-induced cytotoxicity in human HuH-7 cells. In general, the insoluble-bound fraction showed a higher total phenolic content. Phenolic acids, flavonoids, and isoflavonoids were identified and quantified by UPLC-MS/MS. Taxifolin was identified for the first time in chickpeas. However, m-hydroxybenzoic acid, taxifolin, and biochanin A were the main phenolics found. Biochanin A was mostly found in the free fraction, while m-hydroxybenzoic acid was present mainly in the insoluble-bound form. The insoluble-bound fraction made a significant contribution to the reducing power and antiradical activity towards peroxyl radical. Furthermore, all extracts decreased the oxidative damage of human HuH-7 cells induced by peroxyl radicals, thus indicating their hepatoprotective potential. This study demonstrates that the antioxidant properties and bioactive potential of insoluble-bound phenolics of chickpeas should not be neglected.

Biostimulants are studied as a possible agricultural practice that anticipates the reproductive stages of chickpeas to avoid their coincidence with high temperatures and hydric stress periods. The effect of several types of biostimulants on different chickpea varieties was analyzed. The Blanco Sinaloa chickpea variety showed opposite patterns with respect to biostimulant effect on germination success and vegetative and radicular development when compared with two other chickpea varieties, namely Amelia, a well-known variety, and IMIDRA10, a recently developed variety. Blanco Sinaloa is cultured under water irrigation conditions, while Amelia and IMIDRA10 are used under rainfed conditions. Blanco Sinaloa and IMIDRA10 are Kabuli-type varieties, while Amelia is Desi-type. All varieties emerged 9 days after the sowing, but Amelia nascence was more abundant at the beginning, on day 9. On day 32, the picture was quite different, since Blanco Sinaloa had germinated 100% in practically all treatments, followed by Amelia and IMIDRA10. There were significant differences between plant lengths among the three varieties, since Blanco Sinaloa is much larger than Amelia and IMIDRA10. Blanco Sinaloa was the only variety in which the plant lengths of biostimulant-impregnated seeds were superior to those of untreated plants; that is, it was the only one that was positively affected by biostimulants. Chickpea seeds should be treated with biostimulants such that they are dry for sowing, because the mechanic seeder only works with dry seeds.

Mycotoxins contamination and pest infestation of foods and feeds represent a pivotal threat for food safety and security worldwide, with crucial implications for human and animal health. Controlled atmosphere could be a sustainable strategy to reduce mycotoxins content and counteract the vitality of deleterious organisms in foodstuff. Ozone treatment (O3, 500 ppb for 30, 60 or 90 min) and high nitrogen concentration (N2, 99% for 21 consecutive days) were tested in the post-harvest management of four batches of Cicer arietinum grains to control the presence of mycotoxigenic fungi and their secondary metabolites, as well as pest (i.e., Callosobruchus maculatus) infestation. At the end of the treatment, O3 significantly decreased the incidence of Penicillium spp. (by an average of −50%, independently to the time of exposure) and reduced the patulin and aflatoxins content after 30 min (−85 and −100%, respectively). High N2 concentrations remarkably reduced mycotoxins contamination (by an average of −94%) and induced pest mortality (at 100% after 5 days of exposure). These results confirm the promising potential of O3 and N2 in post-harvest conservation strategies, leading to further investigations to evaluate the effects on the qualitative characteristics of grains.

CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior A definição do tamanho ótimo de parcela é uma alternativa importante na redução do erro experimental. Tamanhos ideais de parcela asseguram melhor otimização da área experimental e dos recursos humanos e financeiros, além de minimizar o erro experimental, permitindo maior confiabilidade das inferências estatísticas. O grão-de-bico é a terceira leguminosa mais cultivada no mundo, com grande potencial de adaptação às condições climáticas do cerrado brasileiro, alcançando produtividade satisfatória aos experimentos realizados. A pesquisa com grão-de-bico tem contribuído para o desenvolvimento de novas tecnologias, mas o tamanho de parcelas para experimentos com a cultura é variável, baseado, na maioria das vezes, na experiência do pesquisador. Nesse contexto, objetivou-se estimar o tamanho ótimo de parcela para experimentos de grão-de-bico por abordagens frequentistas e bayesiana. Foram realizados dois experimentos em branco, compostos por oito linhas de cultivo, de sete metros de comprimento, espaçadas em 50 cm entre linhas e 10 cm entre plantas, avaliando as seis linhas centrais, em um total de 60 plantas por linha de cultivo. Foram avaliados o número de sementes, peso de sementes, índice de colheita e massa seca da parte área. O número ótimo de parcela foi estimado por abordagens frequentistas (método da máxima curvatura modificado e método de Hatheway) e por abordagem bayesiana com o uso de informações a priori, por meio do software R. O número ótimo de parcelas estimado variou em função das variáveis e metodologias utilizadas. Pelo método da máxima curvatura modificado, recomendam-se 15 plantas por parcela para o grão-de-bico. Pelo método de Hatheway, 25 plantas por parcela são consideradas suficientes, para identificar diferenças significativas entre as médias dos tratamentos (variando de 4 a 16), DMS de 25% e seis repetições, com probabilidade de 5%. O uso da abordagem bayesiana levou a resultados similares aos obtidos pela abordagem frequentista, mesmo utilizando priori informativa.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the main sources of plant proteins in the Indian subcontinent and West Asia, where two different morphotypes, desi and kabuli, are grown. Despite the progress in genome mapping and sequencing, the knowledge of the chickpea genome at the chromosomal level, including the long-range molecular chromosome organization, is limited. Earlier cytogenetic studies in chickpea suffered from a limited number of cytogenetic landmarks and did not permit to identify individual chromosomes in the metaphase spreads or to anchor pseudomolecules to chromosomes in situ. In this study, we developed a system for fast molecular karyotyping for both morphotypes of cultivated chickpea. We demonstrate that even draft genome sequences are adequate to develop oligo-fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) barcodes for the identification of chromosomes and comparative analysis among closely related chickpea genotypes. Our results show the potential of oligo-FISH barcoding for the identification of structural changes in chromosomes, which accompanied genome diversification among chickpea cultivars. Moreover, oligo-FISH barcoding in chickpea pointed out some problematic, most probably wrongly assembled regions of the pseudomolecules of both kabuli and desi reference genomes. Thus, oligo-FISH appears as a powerful tool not only for comparative karyotyping but also for the validation of genome assemblies.

In the present research the impact of processing (soaking, cooking and sterilisation) and oxygen availability during storage (up to 40 weeks at 20 ºC) on the volatile compounds in whole chickpeas was investigated. Volatile profiles of the differently processed chickpeas were obtained and compared. Soaking resulted in an increased number of aldehydes and alcohols, while thermal processing (e.g. cooking and sterilisation) originated compounds like furan derivatives, sulphur compounds and aromatic compounds. More hydrocarbons, ketones and sulphur compounds were formed in sterilised chickpeas after storage at higher oxygen availability, while more alcohols were present in the chickpeas stored at lower oxygen availability. The results showed that both processing and oxygen availably during storage significantly affected the volatile profile of intact chickpeas.

The definition of methodologies that allow evaluating the physiological potential of chickpea seeds is important to ensure the commercialization of lots with high performance. Thus, this research aimed to determine the most suitable conditions for conducting the electrical conductivity test in chickpea seeds to classify lots according to vigor level. Therefore, seeds from five lots of cultivar BRS Aleppo and four lots of cultivar Cícero were subjected to tests to characterize their initial quality and the results were compared with those obtained in the electrical conductivity test. To assess electrical conductivity, five soaking periods (2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours) were combined with four volumes of water (75, 100, 150, and 250 mL) at 25 °C temperature. The results show that the electrical conductivity test is efficient in evaluating the physiological potential of chickpea seeds, providing information equivalent to other vigor tests. For the electrical conductivity test, it is recommended to use 50 seeds soaked in 150 mL of water, for 24 h, at 25 °C. Resumo: A definição de metodologias que permitam avaliar o potencial fisiológico das sementes de grão-de-bico é importante para assegurar a comercialização de lotes com alto desempenho em campo. Assim, objetivou-se determinar as condições mais adequadas para a condução do teste de condutividade elétrica em sementes de grão-de-bico visando a classificação de lotes quanto ao vigor. Para tanto, sementes de cinco lotes da cultivar BRS Aleppo e de quatro lotes da cultivar Cícero foram submetidas a diferentes testes para a caracterização da sua qualidade inicial e os resultados comparados com os obtidos no teste de condutividade. Para avaliar a condutividade elétrica, 5 períodos de embebição (2, 4, 8, 12 e 24 horas) foram combinados a 4 volumes de água (75, 100, 150 e 250 mL) sob a temperatura de 25 °C. O teste de condutividade elétrica é eficiente para a avaliação do potencial fisiológico de sementes de grão-de-bico fornecendo informações equivalentes a outros testes de vigor. Para a condução do teste de condutividade elétrica recomenda-se a utilização de 50 sementes imersas em 150 mL de água, por 24 horas, a 25 °C.

The Valparaiso region in Chile was decreed a zone affected by catastrophe in 2019 as a consequence of one of the driest seasons of the last 50 years. In this study, three varieties (‘Alfa-INIA’, ‘California-INIA’, and one landrace, ‘Local Navidad’) of kabuli-type chickpea seeds produced in 2018 (control) and 2019 (climate-related catastrophe, hereafter named water stress) were evaluated for their grain yield. Furthermore, the flavonoid profile of both free and esterified phenolic extracts was determined using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the concentration of the main flavonoid, biochanin A, was determined using liquid chromatography with diode array detection. The grain yield was decreased by up to 25 times in 2019. The concentration of biochanin A was up to 3.2 times higher in samples from the second season (water stress). This study demonstrates that water stress induces biosynthesis of biochanin A. However, positive changes in the biochanin A concentration are overshadowed by negative changes in the grain yield. Therefore, water stress, which may be worsened by climate change in the upcoming years, may jeopardize both the production of chickpeas and the supply of biochanin A, a bioactive compound that can be used to produce dietary supplements and/or nutraceuticals.