Search

Tomato is the most widespread vegetable crop in the world. In Italy, tomatoes are mainly cultivated in the South and in the Campania region, precisely in the area called Agro Nocerino- Sarnese. This flatland is affected by an extreme level of environmental degradation, especially related to the Sarno River, where concentrations of Potential Toxic Elements (PTEs) have been found to be higher than the maximum permitted level. The aim of this study was to determine the PTEs uptake by roots and their translocation to the aerial parts of the plants of two cultivars of tomatoes (Pomodoro Giallo and San Marzano Cirio 3). To the purpose, samples of the two cultivars were grown both in pots with experimentally contaminated soil containing: Cr or Cd or Pb at extremely high concentrations and in pots with uncontaminated soils (control). Additionally, the antioxidant properties of the cultivars selected grown on uncontaminated/contaminated soils were assessed. The results showed that Cd was the contaminant that most significantly interfered with the growth of both cultivars of tomato plants, whereas Pb caused lower phenotypical damage. Cd translocation from root to the organs of tomato plants was observed in both cultivars. Specifically, the total amount of Cd found in stems and leaves was higher in the Pomodoro Giallo (254.4 mg/ kg dry weight) than in the San Marzano Cirio 3 (165.8 mg/kg dry weight). Cd was the only PTE found in the fruits of both cultivars, with values of 6.1 and 3.9 mg/kg dry weight of Pomodoro Giallo and San Marzano Cirio 3, respectively. The fruits of tomato plants grown in PTEs-contaminated soil showed inhibition or stimulations of the radical scavenging activity compared to the fruits grown in uncontaminated soil. This study highlighted that, despite the relatively high experimental concentrations of PTEs, their translocation to the edible part was comparatively low or absent.

The present work, on the formation of the teachers, underlines the importance of the cognitive neuroscienzes for the inclusive metacognitive didactics, particularly, for the ability development of learning in students with disability in learning linked to the cognitive, organizational and emotional- motivational functions. It analyzes the results of an investigation conducted within the annual Course of “Specialization for the didactic support to the pupils with disability” promoted by the university in the Aquila. The objective has been to investigate if the Course has favored in the students the awareness of the necessity of employing such strategies and tools. For this purpose, a comparison has been realized among the situation of the teachers in entrance and that in exit. At the end of the course, a gained awareness arose about the need to use metacognitive didactic strategies and tools ranked, by the scientific research, among the most efficient ones.

The appearance of whole carcass and skin-on cut-up products is an important attribute that deeply affects the consumers choice. Skin pigmentation is affected mainly by genetics, concentration and dietary source of pigments, health status of the birds, and scalding/plucking conditions during slaughtering, although other factors might play an important role. Retailers request batches of broiler chicken carcasses characterized by uniform skin pigmentation to be sold as whole carcass or parts. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variability of skin colour of yellow skinned broilers reared under intensive conditions. For the study, a total of 2,300 medium size broiler chickens (2,300-2,500 g of live weight) from 23 flocks (100 birds/flock; n=12 flocks of males and n=11 flocks of females) were randomly selected in a single slaughterhouse. The colour measurements were carried out on both breast and thigh pterylae as well as on shanks skin adopting the L* a* b* system and using a Minolta colorimeter CR 300. The overall range in measured yellowness (b*) was fairly large for all skin colour measurement positions. For breast it was observed a mean value of 22.77 (SD=5.12) with values ranging from 7.45 to 39.12. Average values of thigh and shank were 20.23 (SD=5.02; range 1.99-37.82) and 53.99 (SD=8.13; range 24.22-78.65), respectively. Comparing male and female birds, a higher skin yellowness in females in all body parts, was observed. Yellowness values of breast and thigh were significantly correlated (r=0.85; P

Twenty ent-labdane diterpenes, isolated from the aquatic plants Ruppia maritima and Potamogeton natans, were tested to detect their effects on aquatic organisms from different trophic levels. Toxicity tests were performed on aquatic producers (the alga Selenastrum capricornutum), and consumers including a rotifer (Brachionus calyciflorus), a cladoceran crustacean (Daphnia magna), and two anostracan crustaceans (Thamnocephalus platyurus and Artemia salina). Furano-ent-labdanes exhibited high toxicity toward all of these organisms. 15,16-Epoxy-12(S)-hydroxy,8(17),13(16),14-ent-labdatrien-20,19-olide had a high toxicity only toward the algae and the rotifers. It was inactive for the crustaceans.

The results of chemical and ecotoxicological analysis on water and sediment from Lake Averno are reported. The data demonstrate the considerable antropic pressure on the lake because of the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), phenols, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and organic-chlorinated pesticides (OP) such as 4,4′-DDT. In the biological tests, the waters were of low or no toxicity for producers and consumers while sediments were characterized by a considerable toxicity. The EBI showed a polluted and deteriorated environment.

Salmonella and Listeria spp. are frequently detected in poultry meats. Conventional isolation and identification methods to detect these microrganisms in food are laborious and time-consuming. In the present study the occurrence of Salmonellae and Listeriae on 362 samples of retail poultry in Caserta, South Italy was evaluated and standard microbiological and rapid methods were compared. Furthermore, the samples were collected and analyzed twice a week, on Monday and Friday to establish their possible variability from storage. Both methods showed a strong contamination of samples by Listeria spp. (about 50% for both methods) with 12% Listeria monocytogenes while the contamination of Salmonella was poorer (14-15%). The two procedures showed a good agreement for the detection of Listeriae while the sensitivity of the Rapid test for Salmonellae was poorer (75%). Data about sampling on Monday and Friday highlighted a significant increase in Listeria spp. at the end of the week., Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene, Vol 48, No 2 (2007)