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Volatile components of Artemisia herba-alba Asso essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation growing in eastern Morocco (Taforalt) were investigated by GC/FID and GC-MS. The major components were found to be camphor (43.07%), camphene (7.2%), 1,8-cineole (7.08%), filifolone (7.04%), borneol (4.88%), and bornyl acetate (3,79%).The essential oil has been tested for antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Inhibition of growth was tested by the agar diffusion method. The minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined by the method of microtitration assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volatile compounds that characterize Leben during fermentation with 2 Lactococcus lactis strains (SLT6 and SLT10) in flasks, in a 100-L fermentor, and during storage at 4 °C, were investigated and compared to those from commercial Leben. Volatile compounds from Leben were concentrated by a Carboxen–PDMS fiber and analyzed by GC-MS. These compounds include acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, sulfur compounds, and hydrocarbons. Commercial Leben presented a poor volatile profile compared to the laboratory-made Leben. The mixed culture of 2 Lactococcus lactis strains resulted in higher volatile compound formation than the single strain culture. The GC volatile profiles of Leben produced in flask and in the 100-L fermentor were similar. Changes in volatile compounds were observed during storage at 4 °C. The effect of culture conditions on production of volatiles by SLT6 strain was studied. Aeration (0.1 mL/min) and agitation enhanced the production of diacetyl, acetoin, 3-methylbutanal, and 3-methylbutanol. Fermentation at pH 5 had no effect on volatile production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known since few years that the aerial and underground parts of the plants emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can interact with other organisms of the environment. They are involved in the attraction of seed dispersers and pollinators, the repellence of enemies via direct or indirect mechanisms and the induction of defence systems in other parts of the same plant or in other plants in the vicinity (Dudareva et al., 2006). It has been shown previously that the VOCs spectrum emitted by plants hardly depends on their physiological state (Kant et al., 2009). However those phenomenons were poorly studied at the edaphic level. Thus, the Rhizovol project, a multidisciplinary project in Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech was set up to study the emissions of VOCs by plant roots and their interactions with other organisms of the rhizosphere. As a partner of this project, the Plant Pathology Unit of Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech chose to study the effect of a fungal infection on the profile of VOCs emitted by plant roots, based on three model organisms, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), since it is a major crop in Belgium that can suffer a large range of aggressions, and two pathogenic fungi, Cochliobolus sativus and Fusarium culmorum, responsible for root and foot rots and seedling blight on cereals (Wiese, 1977). Later in the development, C. sativus produces elongate brown-black lesions (spot blotch) and F. culmorum induces head blight and produces mycotoxins that make the grain unsuitable for consumption (Nielsen et al., 2011). The objective of this work was to identify the VOCs emitted during the dual interactions between barley roots and a pathogenic fungus. The study was performed in two steps; first, the independent analyses of the VOCs emitted by each of the partners (C. sativus, F. culmorum and healthy barley roots), then the analyses of the VOCs spectrum emitted during dual interactions.

The Thermomyces lanuginosa lipase has been extensively studied in industrial and biotechnological research because of its potential for triacylglycerol transformation. This protein is known to catalyze both hydrolysis at high water contents and transesterification in quasi-anhydrous conditions. Here, we investigated the Thermomyces lanuginosa lipase structure in solution in the presence of a tributyrin aggregate using 30 ns molecular-dynamics simulations. The water content of the active-site groove was modified between the runs to focus on the protein-water molecule interactions and their implications for protein structure and protein-lipid interactions. The simulations confirmed the high plasticity of the lid fragment and showed that lipid molecules also bind to a secondary pocket beside the lid. Together, these results strongly suggest that the lid plays a role in the anchoring of the protein to the aggregate. The simulations also revealed the existence of a polar channel that connects the active-site groove to the outside solvent. At the inner extremity of this channel, a tyrosine makes hydrogen bonds with residues interacting with the catalytic triad. This system could function as a pipe (polar channel) controlled by a valve (the tyrosine) that could regulate the water content of the active site.

Under attack by insect pests, many plant species change their volatile chemical emissions to attract natural enemies. Most of the tomato (Lycopersicon sp., Solanaceae) varieties are subjected to infestation by molluscs and insects, including the generalist aphid Myzus persicae Sulzer (Homoptera, Aphididae). Episyrphus balteatus De Geer (Diptera: Syrphidae) is a generalist aphid predator that was here observed to lay eggs on M. persicae infested tomato but not on non-infested plants. In order to identify the volatile chemicals that guide the foraging and oviposition behaviour of E. balteatus, we collected and identified volatiles released in the headspace of both aphid infested and uninfested tomato plants by SPME-GC-MS. The identified chemicals were subsequently tested by electroantennography (EAG) on E. balteatus. Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were identified, the main volatile chemicals being beta-phellandrene, 2-carene, alpha-phellandrene, 3-carene and o-pinene. Electrical depolarizations were observed for each tested monoterpene, with optimal responses ranging from -0.2 to -0.8 mV. Episyrphus balteatus antennae showed dose-response relationships towards all the active chemicals. (E)-beta-farnesene, the main component of the aphid alarm pheromone, was the only active sesquiterpene, and is presumed to act as an oviposition stimulus for E. balteotus.

Three Brassicaceae species, Brassica napus (low glucosinolate content), Brassica nigra (including sinigrin), and Sinapis alba (including sinalbin) were used as host plants for two aphid species: the generalist Myzus persicae and the specialist Brevicoryne brassicae. Each combination of aphid species and prey host plant was used to feed the polyphagous ladybird beetle, Adalia bipunctata. Experiments with Brassicaceae species including different amounts and kinds of glucosinolates (GLS) showed increased ladybird larval mortality at higher GLS concentrations. When reared on plants with higher GLS concentrations, the specialist aphid, B. brassicae, was found to be more toxic than M. persicae. Identification of GLS and related degradation products, mainly isothiocyanates (ITC), was investigated in the first two trophic levels, plant and aphid species, by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, respectively. While only GLS were detected in M. persicae on each Brassicaceae species, high amounts of ITC were identified in B. brassicae samples (allyl-ITC and benzyl-ITC from B. nigra and S. alba, respectively) from all host plants. Biological effects of allelochemicals from plants on predators through aphid prey are discussed in relation to aphid species to emphasize the role of the crop plant in integrated pest management in terms of biological control efficacy.

Several ring tests have been organized by the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) and the Measurement and Testing Programme (BCR) for improving glucosinolate methods. Finally, HPLC of desulphoglucosinolates is recommended by ISO, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), and the European Commission (EC) as the official method. X-ray fluorescence has also become particularly common for fast analysis. After checking stability of intact glucosinolates in whole rapeseeds, the BCR has three reference materials (CRM 366, CRM 190, CRM 367) available, certified for their total glucosinolate and sulphur contents. Currently, the Measurement and Testing Programme is supporting a research project concerning the stability of desulphoglucosinolates and intact glucosinolates extracts. At the present time, best results are observed with lyophilized extracts sealed in brown glass ampoules and stored at -18 degrees C.

After determination of charring conditions and the measurement by densitometry of lipids separated by thin-layer chromatography, a statistical analysis was performed to determine the significance of the results. Calibration curves were studied and response factors calculated for some saturated and unsaturated triglycerides.