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Fungal endophytes, both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal, are involved in the development of the life cycle of orchids, providing potential beneficial relationships. Here, we assess the succession of changes in the diversity of fungal symbionts associated with a terrestrial temperate orchid species, Anacamptis morio subsp. champagneuxii, over three phenological stages: developed leaves but no stem elongation, flowering, and fruiting. Fungi endophyte associated with roots were obtained by culture in sterile conditions. A total of 18 morphotypes-one Mortierellomycota, two Basidiomycota and 15 Ascomycota-were differentiated, and were also characterized using PCR and DNA sequencing techniques. Only three of the 18 OTUs are shared among the three phenological stages examined: Westerdykella sp., a member of Ceratobasidiaceae, and Fusarium oxysporum, representing a relative abundance of between 28% (fruiting) to 41% (flowering). Our research confirmed that fungal symbionts varied among the different phenological stages examined, the peak of endophyte diversity appearing in the flowering stage. The availability of a diverse mycobiota seems to be important for the survival of orchid plants because it may cover particular physiological needs, and knowledge concerning this mycobiota is of special relevance in the establishment of reliable conservation programmes.

Cachexia is a metabolic wasting disorder characterized by progressive weight loss, muscle atrophy, fatigue, weakness, and appetite loss. Cachexia is associated with almost all major chronic illnesses including cancer, heart failure, obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease and significantly impedes treatment outcome and therapy tolerance, reducing physical function and increasing mortality. Current cachexia treatments are limited and new pharmacological strategies are needed. Agonists for the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS-R1a), or ghrelin receptor, prospectively regulate the central regulation of appetite and growth hormone secretion, and therefore have tremendous potential as cachexia therapeutics. Non-peptide GHS-R1a agonists are of particular interest, especially given the high gastrointestinal degradation of peptide-based structures, including that of the endogenous ligand, ghrelin, which has a half-life of only 30 min. However, few compounds have been reported in the literature as non-peptide GHS-R1a agonists. In this paper, we investigate the in vitro potential of quinolone compounds to modulate the GHS-R1a in both transfected human cells and mouse hypothalamic cells. These chemically synthesized compounds demonstrate a promising potential as GHS-R1a agonists, shown by an increased intracellular calcium influx. Further studies are now warranted to substantiate and exploit the potential of these novel quinolone-based compounds as orexigenic therapeutics in conditions of cachexia and other metabolic and eating disorders. Irish Research Council for Science and Technology (IRCSET) Science Foundation Ireland (SFI/12/IP/1315) Science Foundation Ireland (SFI/12/RC/2275) Science Foundation Ireland (SFI/12/RC/2273) Universidad de Sevilla

The nutritional characteristics of seed proteins of 50 Spanish wild taxa of Lathyrus, Lens, Pisum and Vicia have been compared. The highest average protein richness and the in vitro protein digestibility have been observed in the genus Vicia and Lens, respectively, whereas the genus Pisum showed the lowest protein-digestibility corrected amino acid score. Using the K-means algorithm three clearly distinguished groups of taxa have been established in relation to their essential amino acid contents, protein richness, digestibility and nutritional parameters. The most adequate protein profile was observed in the taxa of group 1. This group includes four taxa of genus Lathyrus and nine taxa of genus Vicia. It should be noted that seven of the thirteen taxa included in this group have never been used as crops. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved., This work was financed by Grant AGR-711 from Junta de Andalucía (Spain). Thanks are due to María Dolores García-Contreras for technical assistance.

Summary Flour blends based on whole corn and rice with two added wild legumes at 15% level of cereal replacement were extruded to produce whole grain snacks. Extrusion temperature was 175 °C, and the moisture content was adjusted to 14%. The extruded products were evaluated for their physical, chemical and nutritional properties. Results showed that the addition of legumes produces a decrease in expansion in rice-containing samples and an increase in solubility in corn-containing samples. With only 15% of legume added to cereal, a significant increase in protein content and quality was obtained. An increase in fibre, polyphenol, iron and zinc content was also obtained. Protein digestibility was in the range of 81.8–85.3%. Mineral availability ranged from 6.4 to 16.3% for iron and 10–16.3% for zinc. The performance of each mixture during extrusion and the physical properties of the extruded products were considered to be similar to those expected for snack-type products and described in the literature.

The antioxidant activity of the polyphenols extracted from the seeds of 28 Vicia species collected in southern Spain was investigated. The seeds were all taken from wild populations, although some of these species are or have been used to feed livestock and for crop rotation. The polyphenol concentration in ground seeds, ranging from 1.9 to 21.3 mg/g, was generally lower in populations belonging to species that were cultivated. The highest specific polyphenols antioxidant activity (referred to as catechin equivalents in the extracts) was observed in the extracts from Vicia parviflora and Vicia tenuifolia. On the contrary, the highest total antioxidant activity (referred as to extract volume) was observed in Vicia sativa. The antioxidant activity in these extracts was at least twice the observed in chickpea, lupin and soy extracts. These results suggest that these easy to grow Vicia species may represent a source of natural polyphenols with high antioxidant activity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The polyphenols content and antioxidative activity in 28 species of Vicia (Fabaceae) have been studied. Vicia genus is a group of legumes with a high potential interest in human nutrition. In this work, we show that, in addition to their recognized good nutritional properties, Vicia contains polyphenols with a high antioxidant activity, even higher than the observed in commercial legumes such as chickpea, lupin or soy. Hence, it is shown that Vicia seeds are a source of functional compounds, such as antioxidant polyphenols, that may have health-promoting properties resulting in a revalorization of these crops.

The Spanish populations of Juniperus oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa are restricted to coastal dune habitats of the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. Here, we investigate the genetic structure in this taxon and the possible existence of detailed phylogeographic structure associated with the Strait of Gibraltar using data from amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and plastid markers for 14 populations in three regions: Andalusia, the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands. Principal coordinate analysis (PCOA) data revealed a lack of clear genetic structure in J. oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa based on AFLP. The highest AFLP genetic diversity was found in Andalusia. Plastid markers revealed 14 haplotypes, only two of them were shared among the regions. Andalusian populations had the highest number of exclusive haplotypes. Our results support Andalusia as a reservoir of genetic diversity for J. oxycedrus subsp. macrocarpa, and, as for other gymnosperms, this area could be considered as a genetic refugium. The frequent presence of common and exclusive haplotypes in Andalusia might indicate the colonisation of the Spanish Mediterranean coast from the Atlantic populations. Colonisation of these new areas could be promoted by biological factors, such as the existence of long-lived individuals or potential for seed dispersal. Finally, the Strait of Gibraltar did not constitute a natural barrier to the expansion of this species along the coast, as identical haplotypes are found on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts.

6 páginas, 4 figuras, 5 tablas., Protein isolates were analysed from two Mediterranean legumes, Lathyrus clymenum and L. annuus. Protein isolates were prepared by alkaline extraction, including sodium sulphite and acid precipitation of Lathyrus proteins at their isoelectric point (pH 4.5). The percentage of proteins recovered from L. annuus and L. clymenum flours during the preparation of the protein isolates was around 60%. Chemical composition, nutritional parameters, main functional properties and protein composition of Lathyrus protein isolates were studied. L. annuus and L. clymenum protein isolates contained 81.07% and 82.4% of proteins, respectively, and they have a balanced content of essential amino acids, except for sulphur amino acids, with respect to the FAO pattern. The in vitro protein digestibility increased in the protein isolates to 93% and 95% in L. annuus and L. clymenum, respectively. Functional properties were similar to those observed in other legumes protein isolates. These results confirm the interest of local crops as sources of high value protein products obtained after convenient protein extraction procedures and the removal of antinutritional components. These high added value protein isolates are of interest for the food industry and for the revalorisation of L. annuus and L. clymenum favouring the bioconservation of Lathyrus., This work was financed by grant AGR-711 from Junta de Andalucía (Spain).

The antioxidant activity (AA) of the phenol extracts obtained from the seeds of Lupinus micranthus, Lupinus hispanicus, Lupinus angustifolius and Lupinus luteus collected in southern Spain was investigated. The seeds were all taken from wild populations, although some of these species have been used to feed livestock and for crop rotation. The polyphenol concentration in ground seeds ranged from 8.7 to 11 mg/g seed flour. AA of Lupinus polyphenols was determined using the β-carotene bleaching method. AA was highest in L. hispanicus. Intermediate values were observed in L. micranthus and L. luteus. The lowest antioxidant values were observed in L. angustifolius polyphenols. A positive correlation between seed flour and polyphenol AA was observed. L. hispanicus showed higher AA than cultivated soy, chickpea or lupin. Results suggest that these easy-to-grow Lupinus species, especially L. hispanicus, represent a source of natural polyphenols that could be added to foods as functional antioxidant components. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS In this manuscript is described the quantification and antioxidative activity of polyphenols extracted from four wild Lupinus species. Lupinus represents a group of legumes of high potential interest in human nutrition. In this work, we show that in addition to their recognized good nutritional properties, Lupinus is rich in secondary metabolites, such as polyphenols, that have a high antioxidant activity, even higher than the observed in commercial legumes such as chickpea or soy. Hence, these results show that Lupinus seeds are a source of functional compounds, such as antioxidant polyphenols, with health-promoting properties that can result in a revalorization of these crops.

The anatomy of the seed coat of the European species of tribe Ericeae (Calluna, Daboecia and Erica) of the Ericaceae family was studied, and the taxonomic importance of their characters was analyzed. The seed coat is mostly formed by a one-cell layer with thick, pitted inner walls and thin outer walls that collapse at maturity over the inner walls. The cell junctions are either raised with anticlinal walls up to four times the height of the periclinal walls or are not raised with similar values for the height of both the anticlinal and periclinal walls. Three main cell junction types were found and described. The thickness of the inner walls is variable, but there is a large overlap among the results for different species. Calluna vulgaris is the only species with no pits, and E. multiflora has a pitted pattern on its inner walls, which is distinctive from the rest of the species. Our main results agree with the external seed morphology, and valuable new data were obtained for certain groups such as the E. cinerea-E. terminalis or the E. scoparia complex. The similarities that are found in seed coat characters are not in accordance with the classical taxonomic delimitation of infrageneric groups within Erica.

The nutritional characteristics of seed proteins of Spanish wild populations of Lupinus angustifolius, L. cosentinii, L. gredensis, L. hispanicus, L. luteus and L. micranthus have been studied. Protein contents in this genus ranged from 23.8% in L. gredensis to 33.6% in L. luteus. On the one hand, L. cosentinii showed the most balanced amino acid composition, being only deficient in lysine. On the other hand, L. gredensis showed the worst amino acid composition. The in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) was high in all species examined, ranging from 82.3% in L. gredensis to 89.0% in L. cosentinii. In addition to the amino acid composition and IVPD, other nutritional parameters, such as amino acid score, calculated biological value, predicted protein efficiency ratio or protein digestibility corrected amino acid score, were studied. These data yielded L. luteus, L. hispanicus and L. cosentinii as the species with seed proteins with the best nutritional properties, similar to those observed in other legumes with recognised high quality proteins, such as soybean. Results confirm the importance of studying wild populations of cultivated and non-cultivated Lupinus species as sources of seeds with good nutritional characteristics., This work was financed by grant AGR-711 from Junta de Andalucía (Spain).

6 páginas; 6 Tablas; 3 Figuras, The benefits of polyphenols have been widely demonstrated in recent decades. In order to find new species with a high biological functionality, the antioxidant activity of the polyphenol extracts from seeds of 50 taxa of tribe Fabeae (Lathyrus, Lens, Pisum, and Vicia) from Spain has been studied. Considering the average concentration obtained from the data in the four genera of the Fabeae tribe, Pisum and Lathyrus show the highest average polyphenol concentration. The highest specific antioxidant activity as well as the antioxidant activity coefficient was observed in Pisum and Vicia. However, with respect to the total antioxidant activity, the highest average value was observed in Lathyrus and Pisum. The results obtained reveal that many of the wild taxa examined could be potential source of antioxidants., This work was financed by Grant AGR-711 from Junta de Andalucía (Spain).

The seed protein profiles of 11 Amaranthus taxa (Amaranthaceae) from Spain were studied. These profiles were evaluated as a chemical character to clarify the taxonomic complexity in the genus. Tricine-sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) profiles of the Amaranthus seed proteins studied showed a range of peptides varying from 64 to 12 kDa, with a larger number of protein bands observed between 25.1 and 12 kDa. For the taxonomic study, 14 bands, some of them subdivided into several isoforms, were considered. The similarity analysis based on the SDS-PAGE profile is a useful character for the discrimination of species in Amaranthus, except for A. cruentus and A. hypochondriacus, for which a hybrid population was found. © 2007 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2007, 155, 57‐63. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: Amaranthaceae ‐ electrophoresis ‐ taxonomy.

RESUMEN.Observaciones micromorfológicas y anatómicas en núnulas de Prunella L. y Cleonia L. (Lamiaceae) del suroeste de España. Se han estudiado las núculas de tres especies del género Prunella y una del género Cleonia, tanto al microscopio óptico como al electrónico de barrido. Los taxones de ambos géneros se diferencian fácilmente tanto mediante caracteres morfológicos como el contorno o la ornamentación, como por caracteres anatómicos como la morfología de las células esclerenquimáticas del mesocarpo. La excreción del mucílago también contribuye a esta diferenciación. Otros caracteres como el color, la presencia o ausencia de glándulas, o algunas diferencias en el mesocarpo o endocarpo permiten diferenciar las tres especies examinadas del género Prunella. Por último, se discute brevemente la utilidad del mucílago, así como los sistemas de dispersión más frecuentes.Palabras clave. Núcula, morfología, anatomía, mucílago, Prunella, Cleonia, LamiaceaeABSTRACT. Micromorphological and anatomical observations on nutlets of Prunella L. and Cleonia L. (Lamiaceae), from the SW of Spain. The nutlets of three species of Prunella and another of Cleonia have been studied with light and scanning electron microscopy. The taxa of both genera can be easily differentiated through both morphologic features, such as the outline or the ornamentation, and anatomic features as the morphology of mesocarp’s sclerenchymatic cells. The mucilage secretion also contribute to this differentiation. Other features such as colour, presence/absence of glands, or some differences in the mesocarp or in the endocarp allow to distinguish the three examined species of genus Prunella. Lastly, the usefulness of mucilage and the most frequent dispersal systems are briefly discussed.Key words. Nutlet, morphology, anatomy, mucilage, Prunella, Cleonia, Lamiaceae

• Background and Aims Plant species are considered as a good source of dietary proteins, although the nutritional quality of proteins depends on their amino acid composition. In this work the protein content and amino acid composition of nutlets of 21 Teucrium taxa (Lamiaceae) from Spain were analysed and their nutritional quality was compared with the minimum values established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). In addition, the amino acid composition was evaluated as a chemical character to clarify the taxonomic complexity in this genus. • Methods Amino acid content of nutlets was determined after derivatization with diethyl ethoxymethylenemalonate by high-performance liquid chromatography. Previously, nutlets samples were hydrolysed and incubated in an oven at 110 °C for 24 h. • Key Results The protein content was variable, ranging from 6·4 % in T. dunense to 43·8 % in T. algarbiense. According to the FAO values all taxa contain satisfactory amounts of leucine, threonine and valine and are deficient in lysine. The similarity analysis of Teucrium taxa using amino acid composition data did not clearly reflect the infrageneric classification of this genus. • Conclusions Annual species, such as T. spinosum, T. aristatum and T. resupinatum showed a better balanced amino acid composition. The dendrogram partly matched with the karyological complexity of Teucrium. No correlation between amino acid composition and habitat has been observed, showing that Teucrium nutlet amino acid composition may not be strongly influenced by the environment.

• Background and Aims Previous research has made clear the intrinsic taxonomic difficulties in identifying species in the genus Orobanche. The aim of this study, therefore, was to investigate the systematic utility of seed characteristics. • Methods Light and scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the seeds of 33 taxa of Orobanche from the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. • Key Results Characters such as size, shape and ornamentation of the seeds were not found to be very useful in differentiation of taxa; however, other characters of the epidermal seed coat cells proved to be very helpful in this respect. Ornamentation of the periclinal walls could be used to discriminate four morphological types. Other features related to the anticlinal walls of the cells, such as thickness, presence/absence of a narrow trough, or relative depth, all contributed to the characterization of a large number of species. • Conclusions The usefulness of micromorphological studies on seeds of Orobanche in relation to differentiating taxa is demonstrated, and a key is provided to distinguish species or groups of species.

RESUMEN. Contribución al estudio morfológico y anatómico en miculas de Mentha L. y Preslia Opiz (Latniacecte) de lo Península Ibérica. Se estudia la micromorfología y anatomía de núculas de tres especies de Mentha (M. aquatica L, M. suaveolens Ehrh., M. pulegium L.) y de Preslia cervina (L.) Fresen, tanto al microscopio óptico (M.O.) como al microscopio electrónico de barrido (M.E.B.). Desde un punto de vista morfológico, la diferencia principal entre ambos géneros ha sido la ornamentación de las núculas, siendo más o menos reticulada en Mentha y rugosa en Preslia. Anatómicamente, hay que destacar cl grosor del pericarpo, que es bastante menor en Preslia. No obstante, el conjunto de caracteres estudiados pone de manifiesto la afinidad de estos géneros. Por último, se comenta brevemente los sistemas de dispersión más frecuentes en estos géneros.Palabras clave. Núcula, morfología, anatomía, mucílago, Mentha, Preslia, Lamiaceae, Península Ibérica.ABSTRACT. Contribution to morphological and anatomical studies on nut/es of Mentha L. and Preslia Opiz (Lamiaceae) from the Iberia'? Peninsula. A morphological and anatomical study on nutlets of three species of Mentha (M. aquatica L, M. suaveolens Ehrh., M. pulegium L.) and Preslia cervina (L.) Fresen, was carried out using light and scanning electron microscopy. From a morphological point of view the main difference between both genera has been the nutlets' ornamentation, being more or less reticulate in Mentha and rugose in Preslia. Anatomically, the pericarp thickness stands out, which is fairly thinner in Preslia. However, whole characters studied point out the relationship of these genera. Lastly, the usual dispersal systems between these genera are discussed briefly.Key words. Nutlet, morphology, anatomy, mucilage, Mentha, Preslia, Lamiaceae, Iberian Peninsula.

RESUMEN. Estudio morfológico)' anatómico en miculas de Nepeta L. (Lamiaceae) del suroeste de España. Se describe la micromorfología y la anatomía de las núculas en las cinco especies de Nepeta L. presentes en el suroeste de España: N. catana L., N. amethystina var. anticaria Ladero & Rivas Goday, N. multibracteata Desf., N. tuberosa L. subsp. tuberosa y N. apuleii Ucria, tanto al microscopio óptico (M.O.) como al microscopio electrónico de barrido (M.E.B.). Los resultados han permitido diferenciar tres tipos estructurales atendiendo básicamente a la ornamentación de la núcula. Además, los caracteres anatómicos han permitido delimitar los taxones estudiados fundamentalmente a nivel del epicarpo, mesocarpo y capa en empalizada. La excreción de mucílago en las núculas de N. amethystina var. anticaria ha permitido diferenciar claramente este taxón. Así mismo, atendiendo a los caracteres carpológicos estudiados, se propone una clave para diferenciar los citados taxones.Palabras clave. Núcula, morfología, anatomía, mucílago, Nepeta, Lamioideae.ABSTRACT. Morphological and anatomical studies on nutlets of Nepeta L. (Lamiaceae) from South-West Spain. The micromorphology and anatomy of nutlets of the five Nepeta L. species from South-West Spain: N. ca/aria L., N. amethystina var. anticaria Ladero & Rivas Goday, N. multibracteata Desf., N. tuberosa L. subsp. tuberosa y N. apuleii Ucria, are described with light and scanning electron microscopy. The results have showed the possibility to differentiate three structural nutlet types basically attending of nutlet ornamentation. Anatomical characters have allowed distinguish the examined taxa using epicarp, mesocarp and sclerenchymatic cell layer characters. The mucilage secretion of N. atnethystina var. anticaria nutlet has allowed easily define this taxon. Also, a key to differentiate the five taxa using carpological characters is provided.Key words. Nutlet, morphology, anatomy, mucilage, Nepeta, Lamioideae.

Many studies of the morphology and anatomy of fruits and seeds of Scrophulariaceae from Southwest Spain have been made. The systematic utility of characteristics of these plant structures is discussed in order to determine relationships among the diAerent genera included in this widely distributed family. The most useful fruit features for this study were the indumentum, capsule dehiscence and structure of the endocarp, seed-coat ornamentation, and inner structure of the seeds. In addition, phenetic analysis of 58 characters revealed that several groups of genera in Scrophulariaceae are closely related on the basis of their fruit and seed features. The phenetic relationships of genera or groups of genera are discussed. Keys to genera considered in this work, using exclusively fruit or seed characters, are provided. Lastly, the usual dispersal systems observed in this family are discussed. # 2000 Annals of Botany Company

Micromorfologia y anatomia de frutos y semillas de Scrophularia L. en el suroeste de Espana. Se ha realizado un estudio morfologico y anatomico de las capsulas y semillas de las nueve especies del genero Scrophularia presentes en el SO de Espana. Las semillas muestran una considerable uniformidad en cuanto a la forma, tamano, ornamentacion y estructura interna. Respecto a las capsulas muestran ciertas diferencias tanto desde el punto de vista morfologico como anatomico. Por ultimo se propone una clave para diferenciar las distintas especies.

Seeds of 24 taxa of Linaria from south-west Spain were examined with a scanning electron microscope and light microscope. Based on seed features such as shape, surface ornamentation and cell shape, seven morphological types were recognized. Seeds of the different types are described, illustrated and compared. A key to distinguish the different species or groups of species is provided.

A morphological and anatomical study of fruits and seeds of ten species ofVerbascumfrom south-west Spain has been made. The seeds showed considerable uniformity in shape, size, seed-coat ornamentation and internal structure. Two groups of species are distinguished on the basis of indumentum of the capsules. The first group has branched hairs which do not appear in the second. Only one species,V. virgatummay be included in both groups. Other characters such as corolla size or stamen number, support separation of both groups and reaffirm the intermediate position ofV. virgatum. A key to distinguish the taxa is provided.

Following examination by scanning electron and light microscope of the fruit features of 12 species of Veronica from south-west Spain, morphological and anatomical studies revealed that these taxa can be differentiated on the basis of these features. Phenetic analysis with 28 characters additionally revealed several groups of species in Veronica to be closely related on the basis of their seed morphology. A key distinguishing the different taxa is provided. Finally, dehiscence mechanisms are briefly discussed.

Summary Scanning electron microscope and light microscope examination of seed and fruit features of seven taxa of Antirrhinum from South-West Spain have been made. Morphological and anatomical studies have showed that this taxa can be differentiated on the basis of fruits features. A key to distinguish the different taxa is provided. Moreover, seeds showed a considerable uniformity. Some ecological aspects of epicuticular wax as well as dispersion system is discussed.

Ecología de la germinación en especies del género Veronica (Scrophulariaceae) del SO de España. Se ha realizado un estudio de germinación y viabilidad con semillas de 11 especies de Veronica del SO de España. En las pruebas de laboratorio, a 22±2 °(, la respuesta de germinación fue distinta en luz y obscuridad. En luz, V. anagallis-aquatica, V. anagalloides, V. arvensis, V. persica y V.palita alcanzaron porcentajes de germinación altos (superiores al 80%), mientras que en otras como V. cymbalaria, V. hederifolia, V. peregrina, V. praecox, V. scutellata y V. triphyllos, fueron bajos (inferiores al 20%). En obscuridad, V.cymbalaria, V. hederifolia y V.peregrina experimentaron un aumento significativo de dicho porcentaje. La viabilidad de las semillas fue muy alta para todas las especies, variando entre el 81% y el 100%. Se discuten los requerimientos para la germinación de cada especie en relación a su hábitat natural. Seed germination ecology of Veronica species (Scrophulariaceae) from SW Spain. Seed germina tion and viability were studied in severa! species of Veronica.Laboratory germination experiments at 22±2 °C showed a different response in light and the dark. In light, V. anagallis -aquatica , V. anagalloides, V. arvensis, V. persica and V. po/ita achieved high germination rates (greater than 80%), while others such as V. cymbalaria, V. hederifolia, V. peregrina, V.praecox, V. scutellata and V. triphyllos significantly reduced seed germination (lower than 20%). Seed germination percentage of V. cymbalaria, V. hederifolia and V. peregrina increased significantly in the dark. Seed viability was very high by all species (from 81% to l 00%). The relatinships between seed germination requeriments and species habitat is discussed.

Seeds of 12 species of Veronica from south-west Spain were examined with the scanning electron microscope and stereomicroscope. Based on seed shape, colour, cell shape and surface ornamentation, seven morphological types are recognized. Seeds of the different types are described, illustrated and compared. The distribution of seed types among taxa is given. A key to distinguish the different species or groups of species is provided.

The effects of the addition of wild legumes (Lathyrus) from the South of Spain on the physical and nutritional properties of extruded products based on whole corn and brown rice were studied. Samples were obtained with a Brabender single screw extruder. The physical characterisation of the expanded products was performed by the measurement of density, expansion, solubility and specific mechanical energy consumption (SMEC). Chemical composition, amino acids content, protein digestibility, total polyphenol content and potential availability of iron and zinc were determined. Results showed that expansion, solubility and SMEC were higher for rice blends than for corn blends, while density followed an inverse trend. Addition of legumes produces a decrease of expansion and an increase in solubility in both rice-containing and corn-containing samples. With only 15% of legume replacement, a significant increase in protein content and quality, fibre, and mineral content was obtained. Protein digestibility was in the range of 82-84% and mineral availability in the 6.4-12.1% range for iron and 10-18.6% for zinc. The performance of each mixture during extrusion and the physical properties of the extruded products were considered to be in the range of those expected for snack type products. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved., This work was financed by Grant AGR-711 from Junta de Andalucía (Spain) and CAI+D 2009-II-PI 54-259 and PICT-2007-1105 (Argentina).

The study of local plants could provide useful data for the possible development of future crops with good nutritional and functional properties. The nutritional characteristics of the seed proteins of 28 Vicia species (31 taxa) (Fabaceae) from Spain were studied. Protein contents in studied Vicia ranged from 20.1% in V. articulata to 32% in V. pyrenaica. V. altissima, which is only deficient in Trp, showed the most balanced amino acid composition, while the remaining taxa were limiting in Met, Cys, and Trp. In vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) ranged from 78% in V. incana to 86.3% in V. hirsuta. In addition to the amino acid composition and IVPD, other nutritional parameters, such as amino acid score, biological value, protein efficiency ratio, or protein digestibility corrected amino acid score, were studied. Results confirm the interest of studying wild populations of cultivated and non cultivated Vicia species as potentially interesting sources of seeds with good nutritional characteristics. © 2011 Institute of Food Technologists®.

The nutritional characteristics of seed proteins of 15 Spanish Lathyrus species have been analyzed. Protein contents in studied Lathyrus ranged from 17.7% in Lathyrus sativus to 25.6% in L. tingitanus with a 22.4% average protein content in studied Lathyrus. Among essential amino acids the most abundant were Leu, Lys, Phe, Thr and Val. Also, all species contained Lys above FAO recommendations. On the contrary, all species were limiting in Trp ranging from 0.5% to 0.8% content and were also limiting in sulphur containing amino acids, Met and Cys. In vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) in studied Lathyrus ranged from 76.0% in L. pratensis to 86.5% in L. annuus, with an average IVPD of 80.5%. Nutritional parameters, such as protein efficiency ratio, corresponded to high quality proteins. Protein digestibility corrected amino acid score was similar to the observed in other legumes such as lentil or peanut. An analysis of similarity based on the profile of seed protein amino acid composition showed, in the cluster generated, correlation with the taxonomic classification of these species according to morphological characters. Results confirm the interest of studying wild populations of cultivated and non-cultivated Lathyrus species as source of seeds with good nutritional characteristics. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd., This work was financed by grant AGR-711 from Junta de Andalucía (Spain).

The fatty acid distribution in the seed flour from 31 Vicia taxa distributed throughout southern Spain was analyzed by gas chromatography. Fatty acids ranged from myristic acid to araquidic acid. Linoleic acid (from 28.7 to 66.3% of the fatty acids), oleic acid (from 7.2 to 32.5% of the fatty acids) and linolenic acid (from 2.7 to 16.6% of the fatty acids) were the most abundant among unsaturated ones and palmitic acid among saturated ones. The total unsaturated to saturated fatty acids ratio ranged between 2.6 in V. hirsuta and 4.2 in V. hybrida. Polyunsaturated to monounsaturated fatty acids ratio ranged between 1.3 in V. ervilia and 9.0 in V. pyrenaica. The ω-6 to ω-3 ratio ranged between 1.7 in V. articulata and 17.3 in V. faba. The fatty acids distribution observed in the Vicia species studied supports the use of these plants as a source of important dietary lipids., This work was supported by grant AGR-711 from the Junta de Andalucía (Spain).

The metal chelating activity, antioxidant properties, and the effect on cell growth of a polyphenol extract from Vicia sativa have been investigated, and compared to those of soybean. The extracts from V. sativa seeds contained three and five times more polyphenols and flavonoids than soybean, respectively. The soybean polyphenol extracts showed higher copper and iron chelating activity than those from V. sativa, although polyphenols from V. sativa were more effective in preventing β-carotene oxidation and showed higher reducing power and scavenging activity than soybean polyphenols. In addition, V. sativa polyphenols were toxic to THP-1 leukemic cells, as opposed to polyphenols extracted from soybean that did not show any antiproliferative activity at similar concentrations. In conclusion, V. sativa polyphenol extracts show promising antioxidant and antiproliferative activities that may be of interest from a functional point of view and for the revalorization of this ancient crop., This work was supported by grant AGR-711 from Junta de Andalucía (Spain).

The fatty acid composition of the seed oil of 19 wild legume species from southern Spain was analyzed by gas chromatography. The main seed oil fatty acids ranged from C14:0 to C20:0. Among unsaturated fatty acids, the most abundant were linoleic, oleic and linolenic acids, except for Lathyrus angulatus, L. aphaca, L. clymenum, L. sphaericus and L. nigricans where C18:3 contents were higher than C18:1 contents. Palmitic acid was the most abundant saturated acid in studied species, ranging from 11.6% in Lathyrus sativus to 19.3% in Lens nigricans. All studied species showed higher amounts of total unsaturated fatty acids than saturated ones. Among studied species, the ω6/ω3 ratio was variable, ranging from 2.0% in L. nigricans to 13.8% in L. sativus, there being eight species in which the ω6/ω3 ratio was below 5. The fatty acids observed in these plants supports the use of these plants as a source of important dietary lipids., This work was supported by grant AGR-711 from the Junta de Andalucía (Spain).

Antioxidant activity of seed phenolics was studied in the following Lathyrus species: Lathyrus hirsutus, Lathyrus filiformis, Lathyrus sativus, Lathyrus cicera, Lathyrus angulatus, Lathyrus sphaericus, Lathyrus annuus, Lathyrus clymenum, Lathyrus pratensis, Lathyrus ochrus, Lathyrus aphaca, Lathyrus latifolius, Lathyrus setifolius, Lathyrus tingitanus and Lathyrus amphicarpos. Phenolic contents ranged from 3.8 mg/g meal in L. setifolius to 29.2 mg/g meal in L. sphaericus. In general, non-cultivated Lathyrus species contained higher phenolic contents than cultivated ones. A negative correlation between seed size and phenolic contents was observed and was related to the higher proportion of hulls in the smaller seeds. L. annuus possessed phenolics with highest specific antioxidant activity. These phenolics were more than two times more antioxidant than equivalent amounts of phenolics extracted from commercial chickpea, lupin or soy. On the other hand, L. aphaca possessed the highest antioxidant activity per mg of flour extract. This antioxidant activity was twice that observed in same amounts of extracted flours from commercial chickpea, lupin or soy. Results show that studied Lathyrus species are rich in phenolic compounds with higher antioxidant activity than phenolics of widely consumed legumes such as soy, chickpea or lupin. In conclusion, Lathyrus may represent an interesting source of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity that may be useful as natural antioxidants and contribute to revalorize the cultivation of these legumes., This work was supported by grant AGR-711 from Junta de Andalucía (Spain).

RESUMEN. Micromorfología y anatomía de dos especies Mediterráneas del género Ajuga L. (Lamiaceae). Se ha estudiado la morfología y la anatomía de tres taxones mediterráneos del género Ajuga L.: A. chamaepitys (L.) Schreb., A. iva (L.) Schreb. var. iva y A. iva var. pseudo-iva (DC.) Benth. A. iva s. I. muestra nticulas de reticuladas a alveoladas, y A. chamaepitys, de ligeramente crestadas a reticuladas transversalmente. La presencia de células esclerenquimáticas más o menos isodiametricas y de tamaño variable formando una capa gruesa en el mesocarpo relacionan filogenéticamente este género con Verbenaceae. Así mismo, con los caracteres de las núculas, se propone una clave para diferenciar los citados taxones.Palabras clave. Núcula, pericarpo, morfología, anatomía, Ajuga, Ajugoideae.ABSTRACT. Micromorphology and anatomy of two Mediterranean species of Ajuga (Lamiaceae). A morphological and anatomical study of three Mediterranean taxa of Ajuga L. has been made; A. chamaepitys (L.) Schreb., A. iva (L.) Schreb. var iva and A. iva var pseudo-iva (DC.) Benth. A. iva s. I. has reticulate to alveolate nutlets, and A. chamaepitys has slightly crestate to transversaly reticulate nutlets. The presence of a thick isodiametric sclerenchymatic cell layer in the mesocarp show the phylogenetic relationship between this genus and Verbenaceae family. Also, a key to differentiate the three taxa is provided.Key words. Nutlet, pericarp, morphology, anatomy, Ajuga, Ajugoideae.

Morfología polínica de Veronica L. (Scrophulariaceae) en el suroeste de España. Se estudia la morfología polínica, al microscopio óptico y electónico de barrido, de 13 taxones de Veronica L.: V. scutellata, V. anagallis-aquatica, V. anagalloides, V. thriphyllos, V. praecox, V. arvensis, V. peregrina, V. polita, V. agrestis, V. persica, V. cymbalaria, V. hederifolia subsp. hederifolia y V. hedertfolia subsp. triloba. Los resultados confirman el carácter euripolínico del género. Se establecen dos tipos polínicos basados en el modelo de ornamentación. Por último, se discuten los resultados obtenidos y la relación entre los datos palinológicos y otros datos morfológicos. Pollen morphology of Veronica L. (Scrophulariaceae) in south-west Spain. The pollen morphology of 13 taxa of Veronica L. has been studied by light and scanning electron microspopy: V. scutellata, V. anagallis-aquatica, V. anagalloides, V. thriphyllos, V. praecox, V. arvensis, V. peregrina, V. polita, V. agrestis, V. persica, V. cymbalaria, V. hederifolia subsp. hederifolia and V. hederifolia subsp. triloba. The results confirm the eurypalynous character of the genus. Based on the surface ornamentation two morphological types are recognized. The relationships among the palynological and other morphological data are discussed.

The protein profile and the amino acid composition of eleven amaranth species have been studied. The following species were taken into account: A. viridis, A. powellii, A.muricatus, A. deflexus, A. graecizans, A. blitoides, A. retroflexus, A. blitum, A. albus, A. cruentus and A. hypochondriacus. Seed samples were obtained from wild populations located in the southwest of Spain. The protein profile was studied by gel filtration chromatography and denaturing electrophoresis. Profiles were similar in all taxa, with small variations in the molecular weights and amounts of the main seed proteins. Thus, after gel filtration chromatography six main fractions of around 300 kDa, 180 kDa, 120 kDa, between 40 and 50 kDa, 20 and 30 kDa and below 10 kDa were observed. On the other hand, the electrophoretic analysis showed peptides grouped into three main fractions, between 50 and 64 kDa, 33 and 37 kDa and 18 and 25 kda. The most balanced amino acid compositions were observed in the wild taxa A. muricatus, A. blitum and A. powellii showed the most equilibrated amino acid composition. A. hypochondriacus and A. graecizans showed the most deficient amino acid composition with limitations in five essential amino acids. These results show the potential of wild amaranthus taxa for their introduction as crops or their use in the improvement by hybridization mechanisms of other crops such as A. hypochondriacus. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la composición aminoacídica y el perfil proteico de las semillas de once especies de amaranto. Las especies estudiadas fueron A. viridis, A. powellii, A. muricatus, A. deflexus, A. graecizans, A. blitoides, A. retroflexus, A. blitum, A. albus, A. cruentus y A. hypochondriacus. Se estudiaron poblaciones silvestres de estos taxones localizadas en el suroeste de España. El perfil proteico se estudió mediante cromatografía de filtración en gel y electroforesis desnaturalizante. Este perfil fue similar en todas las especies, con ligeras variaciones en los pesos moleculares y abundancia de las principales proteínas. Así, mediante cromatografía de filtración en gel se apreciaron seis fracciones mayoritarias de alrededor de 300 kDa, 180 kDa, 120 kDa, entre 40 y 50 kDa, entre 20 y 30 kDa y menores de 10 kDa. Por otro lado, el estudio electroforético mostró tres grupos de péptidos mayoritarios con pesos comprendidos entre 50 y 64 kDa, entre 33 y 37 kDa y entre 18 y 25 kDa. Las especies con la composición aminoacídica más equilibrada correspondieron a taxones no cultivadas. A. muricatus, A. blitum y A. powellii mostraron la composición aminoácidica más equilibrada. A. hypochondriacus y A. graecizans mostraron la composición aminoacídica más deficitaria, con carencias en cinco aminoácidos esenciales. Estos resultados muestran el potencial de los taxones silvestres de amaranto para su introducción como cultivos o su uso para la mejora mediante hibridación de otros cultivados, como A. hypochondriacus.