Search results for "Fruit"
showing 10 items of 859 documents
Food plant diversity as broad-scale determinant of avian frugivore richness.
2007
The causes of variation in animal species richness at large spatial scales are intensively debated. Here, we examine whether the diversity of food plants, contemporary climate and energy, or habitat heterogeneity determine species richness patterns of avian frugivores across sub-Saharan Africa. Path models indicate that species richness of Ficus (their fruits being one of the major food resources for frugivores in the tropics) has the strongest direct effect on richness of avian frugivores, whereas the influences of variables related to water–energy and habitat heterogeneity are mainly indirect. The importance of Ficus richness for richness of avian frugivores diminishes with decreasing sp…
Phosphorylation and activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase by red fruit (Pandanus conoideus Lam) oil and its fractions
2020
Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance Red fruit (Pandanus conoideus Lam) oil (RFO) is utilized by inhabitants of the Papua Island to treat diseases such as infections, cancer, and cardiovascular disease, but the mechanism of action is unknown. Aim of the study We have recently shown that RFO stimulates nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells. The present study was conducted to investigate the molecular mechanism of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) activation by RFO. Materials and methods NO production by endothelial cells was determined with electron paramagnetic resonance. The vascular function of isolated mouse aorta was examined using a wire myograph system. Phosphorylation of…
Effect of the mechanical harvest of drupes on the quality characteristics of green fermented table olives
2015
Background: Because of damage caused by mechanical harvesting, the drupes for table olive production are traditionally hand harvested. Until now, no data have been available on the microbiological and chemical features of mechanically harvested drupes during fermentation. Results: Drupes mechanically harvested and inoculated with Lactobacillus pentosus OM13 were characterized by the lowest concentrations of potential spoilage microorganisms. On the other hand, drupes mechanically harvested and subjected to spontaneous fermentation showed the highest concentration of Enterobacteriaceae and pseudomonads during transformation. The lowest decrease of pH (4.20) was registered for the trials inoc…
Epicuticular wax content and morphology as related to ethylene and storage perfomance of 'Navelate' orange fruit
2010
8 pages, 6 figures, 1 table. -- Available online 15 September 2009.
Emergence and Phylodynamics of Citrus tristeza virus in Sicily, Italy
2013
Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) outbreaks were detected in Sicily island, Italy for the first time in 2002. To gain insight into the evolutionary forces driving the emergence and phylogeography of these CTV populations, we determined and analyzed the nucleotide sequences of the p20 gene from 108 CTV isolates collected from 2002 to 2009. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis revealed that mild and severe CTV isolates belonging to five different clades (lineages) were introduced in Sicily in 2002. Phylogeographic analysis showed that four lineages co-circulated in the main citrus growing area located in Eastern Sicily. However, only one lineage (composed of mild isolates) spread to distant areas of Sici…
Grape and environmental mycoflora monitoring in old, traditionally-cultivated vineyards on Mount Etna, southern Italy
2015
BACKGROUND: Grape contamination by several fungal species occurs during a vineyard's preharvest and harvest. Agronomic management and microclimatic conditions can affect fungi occurrence and epidemiology, thus explaining qualitative differences in mycoflora composition, including the presence of phytopathogenic or mycotoxigenic fungi. In this study a two-year grape, air and soil mycoflora monitoring programme was undertaken in vineyards on Mount Etna (eastern Sicily, Italy). The mycoflora composition was investigated at pea berry and veraison phenological phases from air and soil and at ripening from sample grapes. RESULTS: Mycoflora in air and soil varied according to the phenological stag…
Sleep and Diet: Mounting Evidence of a Cyclical Relationship
2021
Two factors intrinsic to health are diet and sleep. These two behaviors may well influence one another. Indeed, that insufficient sleep adversely impacts dietary intakes is well documented. On the other hand, diet may influence sleep via melatonin and its biosynthesis from tryptophan. Experimental data exist indicating that provision of specific foods rich in tryptophan or melatonin can improve sleep quality. Whole diets rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and other sources of dietary tryptophan and melatonin have been shown to predict favorable sleep outcomes. Although clinical trials are needed to confirm a causal impact of dietary patterns on sleep and elucidate underlying mechanisms, …
Predominant mycotoxins, mycotoxigenic fungi and climate change related to wine
2017
Wine is a significant contributor to the economies of many countries. However, the commodity can become contaminated with mycotoxins produced by certain fungi. Most information on mycotoxins in wine is from Spain, Italy and France. Grapes can be infected by mycotoxigenic fungi, of which Aspergillus carbonarius producing ochratoxin A (OTA) is of highest concern. Climate is the most important factor in determining contamination once the fungi are established, with high temperatures being a major factor for OTA contamination: OTA in wine is at higher concentrations in warmer southern Europe than northern. Contamination by fumonisins is a particular concern, related to Aspergillus niger produci…
Incidence of ochratoxin A in rice and dried fruits from Rabat and Salé area, Morocco.
2007
One hundred samples of dried fruits (20 dried raisins, 20 walnuts, 20 peanuts, 20 dried figs and 20 pistachios) and 20 samples of rice purchased from retail shops in the Rabat and Salé area in Morocco were analysed for ochratoxin A (OTA) by immunoaffinity clean-up (IAC) and liquid chromatography (LC) with fluorescence detection. The limit of quantification (LOQ) (S/N = 10:1) of OTA was 0.02 ng g(-1) in rice, 0.03 ng g(-1) in pistachio, peanut and walnut, and 0.03 ng g(-1) in dried raisins and dried figs. The incidences of occurrence of OTA in dried raisins, walnuts, peanuts, dried figs and rice were 30, 35, 25, 65 and 90%, respectively. Analytical results showed that pistachio samples conta…
Potential application of lactic acid bacteria in the biopreservation of red grape from mycotoxigenic fungi
2021
Background Filamentous fungi are the main contamination agent in the viticultural sector. Use of synthetic fungicides is the regular answer to these contaminations. Nevertheless, due to several problems associated with the use of synthetic compounds the industry demands new and safer methods. In the present work, the biopreservation potential of four lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains was studied against the principal grape contaminant fungi. Results Agar diffusion test evidenced that all four culture-free supernatant (CFS) had antifungal properties against all tested fungi. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) test values evidenced that medi…