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Summary: Algae and field crops can innovate and improve pasta; however, incorporation of high‐fibre materials can weaken the protein‐starch matrix. This study's aim was to verify how ratios of xanthan gum (XG) and linseed flour (LF) would influence physical, sensory attributes and bioactivity of pasta supplemented with algae. Fucus vesiculosus and Chlorella vulgaris were incorporated into durum wheat along with LF or XG. Samples were evaluated for optimal cooking time (OCT), cooking loss, colour variation, texture profile analysis (TPA), sensory evaluation, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity. XG increased cooking time and cooking loss. The phenolic content and antioxidant activity were highest in samples with LF. TPA showed texture is influenced by incorporation of algae. Sensory analysis showed that LF‐enriched pasta had better acceptance. Observations in biochemical composition and physical parameters revealed the potential to formulate dry or fresh pasta with a better nutritional content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we studied the effect of cadmium (Cd) (25 _M), in spinach plants (Spinacea oleracea) growing in nutrient solution, for 1, 2 and 7 days. Spinach growing in the contaminated solution showed a decrease in biomass, chlorophyll content and an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) content, showing that photosynthetic apparatus was affected and lipid peroxidation occurred. The main defence mechanisms against the induced oxidative stress were the activation of catalase, glutathione reductase and guaiacol peroxidase. Glutathione reductase activity suggests that glutathione is involved in the response against Cd toxicity. The uptake of zinc (Zn), potassium (K), iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) was affected, mainly at the higher exposition times. Spinach leaves showed no signs of toxicity and looked healthy although containing up to 35 mg kg-1 dry weight (DW) of Cd. This can present a food security issue as there is no visible indication of the high amounts of Cd in the edible parts of the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several species from the Brassica genus are very important agricultural crops in different parts of the world and are also known to be heavy metal accumulators. There have been a large number of studies regarding the tolerance, uptake and defense mechanism in several of these species, notably Brassica juncea and B. napus, against the stress induced by heavy metals. Numerous studies have also been published about the capacity of these species to be used for phytoremediation purposes but with mixed results. This review will focus on the latest developments in the study of the uptake capacity, oxidative damage and biochemical and physiological tolerance and defense mechanisms to heavy metal toxicity on six economically important species: B. juncea, B. napus, B. oleracea, B. carinata, B. rapa and B. nigra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]