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Se propone por razones lingüísticas y geográficas corregir Mela 3.5 Onolappa en Ono Lappa. Este segundo topónimo se ha arabizado en Labb y, de aquí, se ha castellanizado en Lepe. It is proposed for linguistic and geographical reasons to correct Mela 3.5 Onolappa in Ono Lappa. This second place-name has been arabized in Labb and, from here, has become Lepe in Spanish.

The main objective of this work was to study whether the intensity of intrinsic sensory attributes and different information about fibre and antioxidant content (extrinsic attributes) provided immediately before tasting could affect the acceptability of four apple varieties characterised by two levels of crunchiness and sweetness. The tested products (Fuji, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and Reinette du Canada) were selected on the basis of the results of the quantitative descriptive analysis performed on 21 commercially available varieties. A panel of 346 consumers was asked to rate the overall liking of the selected cultivars, which were presented in duplicate with different information about fibres and antioxidants content using a fractional factorial design. A preliminary test was performed on 226 consumers to measure the acceptability without the effect of such information. Demographic data, fruit consumption data, and the importance of health aspects in nutrition were also collected by means of a questionnaire. Significant effects were found for the sensory factors: overall liking was positively influenced by high levels of crunchiness and sweetness. Information about the nutritional content affected apple acceptance only for some consumer groups depending on their attitudes towards healthy food. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of conjoint analysis integrated with tasting in the case of fresh unprocessed product. Moreover, the proposed approach provides to Italian apple producers/distributors a better understanding of the relative importance consumers give to sensory attributes and nutritional information in order to support consumer-led breeding selections.

The objective of this PhD research project has been to evaluate some characteristics (e.g., allergens content, polyphenols profile and antioxidant potential) of the Italian ciders that could affect the human health. In this way we tried to promote the product contributing to improve the knowledge needed to better the production techniques. The first aspect described in this PhD study was the recovery of cider proteins (Chapter 2). The rationale was the knowledge that, in other fermented beverages, these molecules are described to be involved in specific organoleptic characteristics such as foam stability, in the interaction with the aroma compounds in the formation of hazes and sediments. In addition, proteins could elicit allergenic reactions in sensitive individuals. After the setup of the recovery methods, proteins purified from 18 commercial ciders were identified by LC-MS/MS technique. This high sensitive method revealed the presence of Mal d 2 and Mal d 3 proteins in all the cider samples analyzed. In addition, this technique showed that 12 out of 18 ciders are contaminated by hen egg lysozyme that is a well-known allergen, even if its use and presence was not declared on the label as stated by the EU Directive. Since the LC-MS/MS analysis detects only fragments of protein that could not be immunologically active, ELISA and western blot analyses were achieved for the detection of lysozyme. Two samples out of 18 were both positive to the assays applied and this confirm the immunological activity of the protein and the existence of a serious health concern to drink cider for people sensitized to egg (Chapter 3). The following step was to study the effect of cidermaking procedure on apple allergen. For this reason, the immunological activity of Mal d 2 and Mal d 3 proteins was tested with specific antibodies developed in rabbit. Six and four samples out of the 13 ciders considered were positive to Mal d 2 and Mal d 3, respectively. It is important to highlight that not all the samples showed a positive match to both the apple allergens. This could indicate that the technological process in cidermaking could achieve a selective removal of specific allergens. Moreover, as regarding Mal d 3 the antibody detected an ambiguous signal at the level of the stacking gel of almost all samples (Chapter 4). Finally, an aspect related to the wholesomeness of cider was investigated. The polyphenols profiles of 18 Italian ciders were correlated with their antioxidant activity, and a multiple linear regression model was drawn to predict the antioxidant potential of the beverage, knowing the concentration of specific phenols (namely: chlorogenic acid, catechin, procyanidins B1 and B2, quercetins 3-glucoside, 3-xyloside and 3-arabinopyranoside). This suggests that these phenols could be the mainly contributors of the antioxidant activity, but further studies should be performed to exclude that this correlation could be only an epiphenomenon consequence of particular interactions among different molecules. Anyway the total antioxidant activities of Italian ciders results on average lower than those reported in literature for Asturian ones and this could be probably related to the total polyphenols content and their profiles (Chapter 5). This observation suggests that the Italian cidermaking process could be ameliorated taking in consideration both the allergenic profile of the beverage and the preferences of the Italian consumers.

O objetivo foi avaliar o potencial de nove isolados de Trichoderma spp. no biocontrole in vitro de Rhizoctonia solani, agente etiológico da mela em feijão-caupi. O patógeno e o antagonista foram confrontados em placas de Petri (Ø = 90 mm) contendo o meio de cultura BDA. Foram medidos diariamente o crescimento micelial do antagonista e do patógeno e determinados o Índice de Velocidade de Crescimento Micelial (IVCM) e o Percentual de Inibição do Crescimento Radial (PICR) médio e diário da colônia de R. solani, em relação à testemunha. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente ao acaso, com dez tratamentos, incluindo a testemunha, em cinco repetições. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância aplicando-se o teste F (p-valor≤0,05) e o teste de Scott-Knott (pvalor≤ 0,05), utilizando-se o programa SISVAR, versão 5.6. Os resultados mostraram que 33% dos isolados de Trichoderma spp. (T41, T51 e T63) apresentaram maior potencial de controle in vitro de R. solani, reduzindo em 40% o IVCM da colônia do patógeno. O isolado T41 obteve maior PICR médio e os isolados T41, T51 e T63 provocaram o maior PICR no primeiro dia de avaliação. O isolado T41 provocou o menor IVCR e o maior PICR médio e diário, apresentando-se desta forma, com agente de biocontrole potencial de R. solani Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-11T16:05:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2863122641PB.pdf: 1739168 bytes, checksum: e439a8efdb3df3bccbc1300471beb0f5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-04-10

O efeito dos fungicidas azoxistrobina, carbendazim, mancozebe, tebuconazole, hidróxido de fenilestanho, piraclostrobina, trifloxistrobina + ciproconazol, trifloxistrobina + propiconazol e clorotalonil no progresso da mela e na produtividade do feijoeiro foi avaliado em campo e casa de vegetação. No campo, três experimentos foram conduzidos nas estações chuvosas de 2004/05, 2005/06 e 2006/07, em blocos ao acaso com quatro repetições.Na safra 2004/05 foi realizada apenas uma aplicação, aos 45 dias após o plantio (DAP); em 2005/06 foram realizadas duas aplicações aos 30 e 45 DAP e em 2006/07 foram realizadas três aplicações, aos 30, 45 e 60 DAP. A avaliação da severidade da doença foi feita semanalmente, atribuindo-se notas de 1 (sem sintomas) a 9 (acima de 90% da área foliar destruída) e taxas de progresso da doença foram calculadas após o ajuste das curvas de progresso ao modelo logístico. Os resultados mostraram que uma única aplicação de qualquer dos produtos, aos 45 DAP, foi ineficiente para o controle da taxa de progresso da mela (taxa média, r = 0,2348). A eficiência do controle aumentou com o incremento do número de aplicações e aplicações mais precoces, iniciando-se aos 30 DAP (médias de r = 0,1988 e 0,1671 em 2005/06 e 2006/07, respectivamente). Com três aplicações,as menores severidades de doença foram observadas com hydróxido de fenil estanho, trifloxistrobina + propiconazol e trifloxistrobina + cyproconazol. Em casa de vegetação, o efeito protetor e curativo dos fungicidas foi estudado com aplicação dos produtos em pré ou pós-inoculação de folíolos, através da avaliação do diâmetro das lesões. Todos os fungicidas apresentaram tanto efeito protetor quanto curativo, mas os melhores resultados foram observados em aplicação preventiva.Foi encontrada alta correlação negativa entre intensidade da mela e a produção do feijoeiro e o ganho em produtividade com uso de fungicidas chegou a 304 %. ______________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Results of three years of field and greenhouse studies on the effects of the fungicides azoxystyrobin, carbendazin, mancozeb, tebuconazole, fentinhydroxide, pyraclostrobin, tryfloxistrobin + cyproconazole, tryfloxistrobin + propiconazol and chlorotalonil on the epidemiology of bean web blight and bean yields are reported. Field experiments were conducted during the rainy seasons of 2004/05, 2005/06 and 2006/07. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replicates. In 2004/05, fungicides were applied only once, 45 after planting (DAP); in 2005/06, there were two applications at 30 and 45 DAP, and in the 2006/07 field season, three applications were made, at 30, 45 and 60 DAP. Disease severity was estimated weekly, with aid of a 1 (healthy) to 9 (more than 90% diseased leaf area) disease scale. Disease progress rates were calculated following curve fitting to the logistic model. Results showed that one single fungicide application, 45 DAP, was inefficient for disease control (mean disease progress rate r = 0.2348). When number of applications increased, and started earlier (at 30 DAP), efficiency also improved for all active principles (mean r = 0.1988 and 0.1671 in 2005/06 and 2006/07, respectively). Overall, lowest disease severities were observed with fentinhydroxyde, tryfloxistrobin + propiconazole, tryfloxistrobin + cyproconazoleand. The protective and curative effects of all fungicides were assessed in the greenhouse, by applicationat pre- or post-inoculation, respectively. Efficiency was evaluated by measurement of lesion diameter. All fungicides presented curative and protective effects, whereas best results were observed in preventive application. A high negative correlation was found between web blight intensity and yield, and increase in grain yield with fungicide applications reached 304 % over control plots.

The efficacy of alternative products to manage tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, was evaluated in three field trials (E) that compared: E1- [chili pepper (Capsicum chinense) + black pepper (Piper nigrum) + clove (Syzygium aromaticum) + turmeric (Curcuma longa) + garlic (Allium sativum) extracts]; (black pepper + clove + garlic extracts); and (clove + turmeric + garlic extracts); E2 - neem (Azadirachta indica) oil (0.5%), crude cow milk diluted in water (20% v/v), and Bordeaux mixture; E3 - homeopathic preparation (from tomato tissue infected with P. infestans - C30), the water-ethanol mixture, and Bordeaux mixture. All experiments had two controls: no sprays and metalaxyl. Severity at halfway through the epidemic (Y50); at the end of the epidemic (Ymax); area under disease progress curve (AUDPC); and disease progress rate (r) were estimated. None of the extracts reduced Y50, Ymax, AUDPC, or r values. Neem oil and Bordeaux mixture resulted in similar Y50 values (3% and 1%, respectively). Ymax (44%) in plots treated with neem was higher than in those treated with Bordeaux mixture (14%). Milk at 20% did not reduce Ymax. Values of r (0.161) and AUDPC (533) were lower with neem oil than in control (r = 0.211 and AUDPC = 1186) and similar to the Bordeaux mixture plots (r = 0.156 and AUDPC = 130). Values of r and AUDPC on plots treated with milk were similar to those in the control plots. There was no significant reduction of Y50, Ymax, AUDPC, or r values when plants were treated with homeopathic product. Bordeaux mixture was the most efficient treatment in controlling late blight. Neem oil is potentially useful. Integrated management must be implemented to keep late blight at acceptable levels on alternative tomato production systems.

Even if some evidence exists of a positive correlation between regular intake of phytoestrogens, polyphenols, antioxidants and women's sexual health, there is not a study addressing the potential correlation between daily apple consumption and women's sexual function. We aim to assess whether there is a tie between daily apple intake and sexual function in a sample of healthy young sexually active Italian women, not complaining of any sexual disorders.Seven hundred and thirty-one women (mean age 31.9, range 18-43) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study (from September 2011 to April 2012). All participants completed anonymously the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and were asked to report on their amount of daily apple consumption and their eating habits. On the basis of apple consumption all women were split into two groups: Group A--regular daily apple consumption, Group B--no regular apple consumption (1 apple/day). The main outcome measure was the FSFI questionnaire result.Three hundred and forty-three women reported a regular daily apple intake and were classified in Group A, while 388 were included in Group B. Group A had a significantly higher total (p = 0.001; Cohen's d = 3.39) and lubrication domain (p = 0.001; Cohen's d = 3.02) FSFI scores than participants in Group B. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that daily apple intake must be considered as an independent parameter (p = 0.002) in predicting a better score at questionnaire examination.This study suggests a potential relationship between regular daily apple consumption and better sexuality in our young women population.

The effects of the manipulation of the sound produced while biting into apple samples, a non-dry food, was investigated. In Experiment 1, participants rated the perceived crispness of flesh cylinders obtained from three apple cultivars differing in their texture profile: ‘Renetta’ (white ‘Renetta Canada’), ‘Golden’ (‘Golden Delicious’), and ‘Fuji’. Participants might hear the veridical sounds they made when biting into an apple cylinder without any frequency adjustment (0 dB filter) or with high frequencies attenuated (either by −12 dB or by −24 dB). Perceived crispness was significantly lower when any of the reductions were applied than when no filter (0 dB) was used. In Experiment 2, new participants rated both crispness and hardness of ‘Renetta’ and ‘Fuji’ cylinders. The sound of the bite could be unfiltered (0 dB), reduced in its high frequencies (−24 dB), or globally reduced (the microphone was switched off). Crispness, again, was perceived as significantly lower with any of the sound reductions. Interestingly, perceived hardness was significantly affected by the sound information as well: Hardness was rated as being significantly lower when a global sound reduction was applied than when the sound was unfiltered. We demonstrated, for the first time, that sound information plays an important role even for the evaluation of hardness, a property believed to be primarily oral/mechanical.

El rendimiento del cultivo de fréjol (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) es disminuido por el ataque de las enfermedades a lo largo del ciclo del cultivo, disminuyendo los ingresos de los agricultores en la zona central del Litoral Ecuatoriano. El objetivo de la investigación fue identificar cuales son las enfermedades que se presentan, y cuantificar las mismas en 21 materiales genéticos de fréjol en el cantón Quevedo. Se describieron los agentes causales de la muerte de plántulas luego de la emergencia, así como las enfermedades presentes en el agroecosistema de fréjol. También se cuantificó la severidad (%) de enfermedades foliares en plantas y por parcela, roya (Uromyces appendiculatus), mustia hilachosa (Rhizoctonia solani), así como la incidencia (%) de virosis y pudriciones radiculares. Fueron encontrados patógenos causantes de la muerte de plántulas (Fusarium spp., R. solani y Macrophomina phaseolina), enfermedades foliares predominantes (U. appendiculatus y R. solani), la presencia de virosis y finalmente los microorganismos promotores de pudriciones radiculares (fusariosis, pudrición de rhizoctonia y macrofomina). Fue evidenciado comportamiento diferenciado entre los cultivares evaluados. Los materiales que obtuvieron una menor intensidad de problemas fitosanitarios fueron el CAL - 96, EVG - 06 - 103, Cf4 0-0-4-8, INIAP-473 y Cf4 0-0-12-5 The yield of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is diminished by the onslaught of disease throughout the crop cycle, reducing farmers' incomes in the central part of the Ecuadorian coast. The objective of this research was to identify which are the diseases that occur, and quantify them in 21 bean genetic materials in Quevedo city. Described the agents causing the damping off after emergence, and the diseases present in the bean agroecosystem. Also quantified the severity (%) of foliar diseases in plants and per plot, rust (Uromyces appendiculatus), web blight (Rhizoctonia solani) and incidence (%) of virus and root rot. Pathogens were found in the damping off (Fusarium spp. and R. solani), predominant foliar diseases (U. appendiculatus, R. solani and Macrophomina phaseolina), the presence of viruses and microorganisms promoters eventually root rot (fusarium, rhizoctonia and macrofomina). Different pattern was evident among the cultivars evaluated. The materials were a lower intensity of phytosanitary problems were the CAL - 96, EVG - 06 - 103, Cf4 0-0-4-8, INIAP-473 and Cf4 0-0-12-5 O rendimento da cultura (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) é diminuído pelo ataque das doenças ao longo de seu ciclo, diminuindo os ingressos de agricultores da parte central do Litoral Equatoriano. O objetivo da pesquisa foi identificar quais são as doenças que se apresentam, e quantificá-las em 21 materiais genéticos de feijoeiro na cidade de Quevedo. Foi descrito os agentes causais da morte de plântulas logo da emergência, assim também as doenças presentes no agroecosistema de feijoeiro. Igualmente, quantificou-se a severidade (%) de doenças foliares em plantas e em parcelas, ferrugem (Uromyces appendiculatus), mela (Rhizoctonia solani), assim como a incidência (%) de viroses e podridões radiculares. Foram encontrados patógenos que induzem da morte de plântulas (Fusarium spp., R. solani e Macrophomina phaseolina), doenças foliares predominantes (U. appendiculatus e R. solani), a presencia de viroses e finalmente os microorganismos promotores de podridões radiculares (fusariosis, podridão de rhizoctonia y macrofomina). Foi evidenciado comportamento diferenciado entre as cultivares avaliadas. Os materiais que obtiveram uma menor intensidade de problemas fitossanitários foram o CAL - 96, EVG - 06 - 103, Cf4 0-0-4-8, INIAP-473 e Cf4 0-0-12-5.

Laboratory, field and semi-field experiments have been carried out on the predatory mites Kampimodromus aberrans, Amblyseius andersoni, Typhlodromus pyri and Phytoseius finitimus in order to optimize biological control strategies against phytophagous mites in apple orchards. The first experiment concerned the augmentative releases of K. aberrans in organic and conventional apple orchards. The most frequent insecticides used in organic orchards were pyrethrins and spinosad, whereas neonicotinoids, OPs and IGRs were used in conventional orchards. K. aberrans releases were successful and predatory mites were significantly higher in released than in control plots. Moreover, populations were high in organic orchards compared to conventional orchards. Amblyseius andersoni was naturally occurring in all orchards. In 2010, no effect of K. aberrans release and orchard management were observed on A. andersoni populations but in 2011 A. andersoni population densities were low in released plots compared to control plots. In organic orchards located at Spresiano releases were made on two cultivars, i.e., Florina and Golden Delicious. In both 2010 and 2011 releases, K. aberrans population densities were higher in release than in control plots of both cultivars. K. aberrans population increased during the three years on Florina but not in Golden Delicious orchard. On the latter A. andersoni population densities were lower in released than in control plots. In conventional orchards K. aberrans did not establish probably because of a series of non-selective insecticide and fungicide treatments. However, the use of spinosad was associated to a decline of predatory mite populations in organic orchards. The second experiment considered interspecific predation among K. aberrans, A. andersoni, T. pyri and P. finitimus. All four predators fed with heterospecific larvae were able to survive some weeks laying a number of eggs. A. andersoni consumed more T. pyri and P. finitimus than K. aberrans larvae and its fecundity was higher on the first two prey species. A diet based on T. pyri larvae was associated to the highest conversion rate of food into egg biomass; longevity was higher for predatory mite females fed with K. aberrans larvae. K. aberrans preyed more P. finitimus than T. pyri and A. andersoni larvae and its fecundity resulted higher on the first species. The conversion of food into egg biomass did not show precise trend while the longevity of K. aberrans resulted higher when fed with A. andersoni. Typhlodromus pyri consumed more P. finitimus and K. aberrans than A. andersoni larvae and laid more eggs on the first two species. Phytoseius finitimus preyed more K. aberrans and T. pyri than A. andersoni larvae but fecundity was not affected by prey; predatory mite females fed with A. andersoni larvae were more efficient in converting food into egg biomass but those fed with K. aberrans larvae lived longer. In terms of predation rate and fecundity, A. andersoni seems to be advantaged over T. pyri, T. pyri over K. aberrans, and A. andersoni, K. aberrans and T. pyri over P. finitimus. The performance of A. andersoni, K. aberrans and T. pyri in terms of predation rate and fecundity proved to be better of P. finitimus larvae than on other prey. The low prey consumption and fecundity of the latter suggest that is disadvantaged in interspecific predation. The comparison between pollen and prey diets confirmed the positive effect of pollen on the fecundity of all four predatory mite species. The third experiment deals with the effects of insecticides, frequently applied in apple orchards, on K. aberrans in field and laboratory conditions. Insecticides including chlorpyrifos, thiacloprid, acetamiprid, lufenuron, indoxacarb, methoxyfenozide and etofenprox were tested. In field studies etofenprox was the most detrimental pesticide to predatory mites. It caused dramatic effects on K. aberrans populations and induced spider mite outbreaks. In other trials tau-fluvalinate and spinosad did similar effects. In laboratory studies we assessed lethal and sub-lethal effects for each pesticide tested. Spinosad, tau-fluvalinate, thiamethoxam, clothianidin and imidacloprid were included. Etofenprox, spinosad with tau-fluvalinate proved to be harmful insecticides to K. aberrans in terms of lethal effects. Neonicotinoids did not affect survival so much but their sub-lethal effects were more prominent in terms of fecundity. Other pesticides such as chlorpyrifos, indoxacarb, lufenuron and methoxyfenozide also significantly reduced fecundity in K. aberrans at a lower level. In the fourth study we explored the role of pollen in alleviating the effects of pesticides on K. aberrans at individual and population levels. In the first part we tested biological and demographic parameters of K. aberrans on pollen and Panonychus ulmi. K. aberrans was reared individually on P. ulmi and on pollen. Both food sources allowed for predatory mites survival, development and reproduction. Pollen was preferred food as compared to P. ulmi. Total fecundity and survival rates of K. aberrans were higher on pollen than on tetranychids. Developmental times of protonymphs, deutonymphs and adults of K. aberrans were longer on P. ulmi than on pollen. Life-table parameters of K. aberrans were positively affected by pollen. The second part deals with the interactions of pesticides, pollen and K. aberrans in semi-field conditions. Experimental factors were: insecticide application and pollen application . Predatory mites were released on 3-4 shoots per plant 7 days before insecticide applications. Typha latifolia pollen was used. Insecticide application, particularly spinosad, determined a reduction in K. aberrans abundance. Pollen applications were associated to an increase in predatory mite population. Significant interaction between pollen applications was observed: pollen application mitigated the effect of chlorpyrifos (because of its compensation of sublethal effects on fecundity) but no effect was observed on spinosad treated plants. In the last work mechanisms of resistance to chlorpyrifos due to mutations in insensitive Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in K. aberrans was investigated. AChE cDNA was cloned. The cloning strategy relied on the AChE sequence of Tetranychus urticae. To obtain the homologous cDNA sequence in K. aberrans, degenerate primers were designed on conserved functional domains of the annotated AChEs in Metaseiulus occidentalis genome, and combined with 5’-3’ rapid amplification of cDNA ends. When the cloned AChE sequence was compared between K. aberrans sensible and resistant strains, only a Glycine to Serine (G119S) substitution was detected while both AChE sequences had a Phenylalanine residue at 331 position. These results excluded the F331W mutation as responsible for chlorpyrifos target site resistance in K. aberrans but it opened interrogatives about the role of G119S. Indeed the G119S substitution had been already described in mosquitoes Anopheles gambiae and Culex pipiens where it led to AChE1 insensitivity or reduced AChE1 activity. On the contrary, the same aminoacid change in T. urticae AChE sequence was associated with a more moderate decrease in chlorpyrifos response. So a species-specific effect of this substitution cannot be kept out. In any case, site oriented sequencing of AChE cDNA, confirmed the presence of G119S substitution in further three resistant strains of the mite predator as well as the absence of F331W mutation. At the same time, two additional sensible strains, displayed a Glycine at the position 119, instead of Serine, in their AChE sequence. Altogether, these findings might suggest that the G119S polymorphism was involved in the polygenic control of the resistant phenotype. In addition or alternatively, the mutated AChE might be in linkage with one of the genetic determinants which affect the insecticide sensitivity in K. aberrans.