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Ester content of blueberry fruit can be ruled by tailored controlled atmosphere storage management
Full text linkThis study examines the effects of controlled atmosphere (CA) storage with high CO2 concentration (16 KPa) on the volatile organic compound (VOC) profile of blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), considering their genetic variability. The research focuses on the denovo production of esters and their association with fermentation related VOCs, employing complementary analytical techniques for comprehensive VOC profiling: direct injection mass spectrometry using Proton Transfer Reaction - Time of Flight - Mass Spectrometry (PTR-ToF-MS) and gas chromatography utilizing Solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SPME/GC-MS). In the first experiment, PTR-ToF-MS and SPME/GC-MS were applied to analyze the volatilome of seven blueberry cultivars under regular (RA) and controlled (CA) atmosphere storage conditions for 42 days. In the second experiment, 39 cultivars were tested to evaluate genetic variability in response to CA storage using PTR-ToF-MS. The third experiment focused on the effect of different oxygen concentrations during storage (1, 7, and 12 kPa O2), studying four cultivars using PTR-ToF-MS. Results of the three experiments revealed high variability among Vaccinium genotypes for all quality traits, which was amplified during storage, particularly under modified atmosphere conditions. CA storage generally enhanced the positive effects of cold storage by reducing texture decay and water loss and improving VOC profiles. Several ester compounds were synthesized de novo under low oxygen conditions, possibly as a response to hypoxic stress. The study concludes that CA storage offers potential to enhance postharvest fruit quality beyond shelf-life extension. The increase in fruity ester compounds during storage may improve blueberries' organoleptic properties. However, the variability in responses among cultivars needs tailored storage protocols. This research provides valuable insights for market segmentation and breeding programs aimed at enhancing blueberry quality and storability, while also validating PTR-ToF-MS as a rapid phenotyping tool for blueberry assessmen
Tailor-made protein-rich bread for the elderly: integrating sensory preferences with nutritional and technological goals
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the mechanical and sensory characteristics of a functional bread, and secondarily examined the attitudes and consumption habits of elderly people toward legumes to assess the potential acceptance of pea protein-based bread in this group. Experimental breads were made by replacing 5% of wheat flour with pea protein concentrate, either untreated or processed via high-pressure homogenization. The breads showed a homemade, heterogeneous appearance, which was appreciated by elderly consumers. They qualified as a "source of protein," had lower sodium content, and featured a darker crust due to the Maillard reaction while keeping acceptable sensory attributes. Textural analysis indicated that breads with untreated pea protein were firmer and chewier than commercial ones. However, sensory tests showed that the experimental breads received higher liking scores, highlighting their appeal. Overall, adding pea protein enhanced nutritional value without affecting sensory quality, supporting its use to promote elderly nutrition and sustainabilit
Proactive and reactive movement behaviours shape the antipredator sequence in a large herbivore
Full text linkBackground: Prey species can display antipredator movement behaviours to reduce predation risk, including proactive responses to chronic or predictable risk, and reactive responses to acute or unpredictable risk. Thus, at any given time, prey movement choice may reflect a trade-off between proaction and reaction. In previous studies, proaction and reaction have generally been considered separately, which neglects their potentially simultaneous influence on animal movement decisions and overall space use. Methods: In this study, we analysed how proaction and reaction interact to shape the movements of GPS-collared red deer (Cervus elaphus) in response to hunting by humans. Using an exhaustive inventory of red deer hunting events and very high-resolution canopy cover density (LiDAR), we combined movement metric (displacement and path length) models and integrated step selection functions to investigate antipredator movement responses to lethal risk on various spatiotemporal scales, considering a dynamic landscape of risk. Results: Our results show that red deer either proactively avoided areas of chronic risk, or they selected canopy cover where and when risk was predictably high. However, when risk was encountered anyway, canopy cover was no longer selected, but only modulated a reactive response along a remain-to-leave continuum. This reaction was even more evident when the environment was unfamiliar, underlining the importance of memory in such reaction patterns. Conclusions: We describe how proaction and reaction fuse in an antipredator sequence of interconnected movement decisions in a large herbivore, and discuss how this result may help disentangle the ecological consequences of behavioural responses to predation. Finally, we lay the foundations for further investigations into the origins of similarities and differences between proactive and reactive movement response
Monitoring soil substrate influence in vineyards using Sentinel-2 time series and land surface phenology
Full text linkThis work explores the potential of Sentinel-2 time-series imagery to investigate the differences in vineyards associated with varying soil substrates. The investigation was carried out by selecting vineyards in the Piana Rotaliana wine growing area of the autonomous province of Trento (Italy). Consistent time-series datasets were defined by selecting vineyards trained under the same trellis system and avoiding plantation renewal between 2017 and 2023. To extract Land Surface Phenology (LSP) the best configuration between vegetation indices and fitting methods for deriving LSP features was investigated. The results indicate that Enhanced Vegetation Index 2 (EVI2) provides better stability with respect to Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). For each vineyard statistical metrics were derived like LSP, Growing Season (GS; good observation within the LSP time period) and off Season (good observation outside the LSP time period) metrics. Eight datasets were defined and a Random Forest model was employed to assess classification accuracy and evaluate its stability across the years. Findings suggest that the substrate effect can be distinguished both from off Season and Growing Season metrics. Vegetation water content indices, such as the Global Vegetation Moisture Index (GVMI), emerged as the most effective and temporally stable predictors. The off Season datasets provided generally better results with respect to GS datasets when the model of one year was tested over the remaining years. The results provide valuable insights into the potential influence of soil characteristics on grapevine response over time, by highlighting the water retention capacity of the substrate and the vineyard respons
Phylogenomic analysis resolves the evolutionary pattern of diversification of cyanobacteria and reveals the evolutionary affinity of novel Antarctic lineages
Full text linkEstablishing phylogenetic relationships among the major cyanobacterial lineages remains elusive. Here we report a phylogenetic analysis of a large and well curated dataset, which allowed us to resolve with maximum statistical support the general pattern of cyanobacterial diversification and to address the limited knowledge regarding the diversity of Antarctic cyanobacteria. The analysis included novel Metagenome-Assembled Genomes (MAGs) sampled from diverse lithic habitats across Antarctica at elevations up to 3.4 km. The results presented here revealed previously undetected lineages and provided a robust phylogenetic framework for a natural cyanobacterial classificatio
Multiple potentially zoonotic pathogens revealed by virome analysis in Sorex spp. (Northeastern Alps, Italy)
Full text linkGenomic identification of conservation areas amid lineage divergence and admixture in a threatened island gecko
Full text linkBackground Identification of ancient evolutionary lineages and areas of natural admixture can have important implications for conservation policies aimed at preserving biodiversity in the face of existential threats. The island gecko Tarentola boettgeri is potentially threatened by the introduced California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae) within the relatively small oceanic island (1532 km2) of Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain. Results A 1.9-Gb T. boettgeri genome was assembled de novo from PacBio HiFi reads. Sequences obtained by genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) were aligned to this reference and provided over 440,000 SNPs from 134 geckos obtained from 40 sample sites (Fig. 1). Analyses of ancestry coefficients supported five genomic groups within Gran Canaria plus two additional groups from the other parts of its range, namely the Canary Island of El Hierro and the Selvagens archipelago. Phylogenomic and divergence time analyses of both GBS sequences and SNPs revealed lineage divergence within Gran Canaria, starting 1.5–2.9 Ma, and also between-island divergence due to subsequent colonization of both the Selvagens and El Hierro around 1 Ma. The latter two colonization events occurred from distinct lineages that had originated in the NW and the W of Gran Canaria, respectively. Lineage divergence within Gran Canaria appears to have been followed by secondary contact and admixture, likely starting in the Late Pleistocene around 20–110 Ka ago. Individuals with significant mixed ancestry appear to be limited to as little as 5 km either side of contact zones. This facilitates identification of sites containing individuals with negligible mixed ancestry for each of the five ancient lineages. Conclusions The ability to genomically identify five ancient Gran Canarian lineages and geographical areas with ostensibly low mixed ancestry provides a foundation for practical conservation actions—such as selecting sites for creation of snake exclusion areas and/or the acquisition of individuals for ex situ captive breeding. These actions will help conserve the extensive within-island diversity in this specie
Data Treatment for LC-MS Untargeted Analysis
No full textLiquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) untargeted experiments require complex bioinformatic strategies to extract information from the experimental data. Here we discuss the "data preprocessing," the set of procedures performed on the raw data to produce a data matrix which will be the starting point for the subsequent statistical analysis. Data preprocessing is a crucial step on the path to knowledge extraction, which should be carefully controlled and optimized in order to maximize the output of any untargeted metabolomics investigation
Antioxidant Maillard reaction products from milk whey: a food by-product valorisation
Full text linkThe Maillard reaction (MR) is a key process in food science, producing bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties. This study evaluates the antioxidant potential of MR products (MRPs) from different dairy byproducts—cow cheese whey, goat cheese whey, and cow yoghurt whey—highlighting their applicability in food preservation and waste valorisation. Whey samples were subjected to the MR at 140 °C for 90 min, showing significant amino acid and sugar consumption, particularly arginine, histidine, and lactose. Using a library of potential antioxidant MRPs (molecular weight < 250 Da), 28 key compounds, including 2-pyrrolecarboxaldehyde and maltol isomer, were identified, primarily in cow cheese whey. A complementary high-molecular-weight MRP library (≥250 Da) identified 72 additional antioxidant compounds, with distinct production patterns linked to whey type. Multivariate analyses confirmed that whey type strongly influences MRP profiles. These results highlight the potential of MR to transform whey by-products into valuable sources of natural antioxidants. This approach offers sustainable strategies for enhancing food preservation, reducing food waste, and supporting the targeted use of MRPs in the food industr
Polyphenol composition of traditional decoctions from Polygoni cuspidati rhizoma et radix of different origin and their impact on human gingival fibroblasts
Full text linkPolygoni cuspidati rhizoma et radix (rhizomes of Reynoutria japonica Houtt.) have a long tradition of use in traditional Chinese medicine confirmed by numerous contemporary studies. Our earlier results implied the potential use of decoction of this raw material in oral wound improvement. In this study, we investigated Polygoni cuspidati rhizoma et radix traditionally prepared decoctions from European wildly growing plant (SC decoction; self-collected decoction) and from a pharmacopeial raw material (PH decoction) purchase from a certified pharmacy in Europe. We performed qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis and examined the effect of the decoctions and their major constituents on the viability of the human gingival fibroblast (HGF-1) cell line. The SC decoction caused a higher increase in cell viability in a wide range of concentrations 2.5–2000 μg/mL (from 100 μg/mL an increase of 35% and more, compared to control, at p ≤ 0.0001), while the decoction PH showed a statistically significant increase only at a concentration of 100 μg/mL (an increase of 24% compared to control, at p ≤ 0.001). Moreover, the PH decoction showed cytotoxic activity towards HGF-1 at higher concentrations (≥500 μg/mL), which was not observed in the SC decoction. Substantial differences in the chemical composition between the two decoctions were also observed. The SC decoction contained significantly more flavan-3-ols and procyanidin dimers and less stilbenes and anthraquinones than the PH decoction. For example, SC contained about 9 times more epicatechin and 3 times more catechin, as well as 4.5 times more procyanidin B1 and 9 times more procyanidin B2 and B4 than the PH decoction but about 7.5 times less resveratrol and 4 times less emodin. We concluded that the high content of flavan-3-ols and procyanidins with low cytotoxic potential towards HGF-1, as well as the correspondingly low content of some anthraquinones, had a beneficial effect on the activity of the SC decoctio