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The world population is projected to increase to 9.9 billion by 2050 and, to ensure food security and quality, agriculture must sustainably multiply production, increase the nutritional value of fruit and vegetables, and preserve genetic... more
The world population is projected to increase to 9.9 billion by 2050 and, to ensure food security and quality, agriculture must sustainably multiply production, increase the nutritional value of fruit and vegetables, and preserve genetic variability. In this work, an Apulian landrace of Cucumis melo L. called “Carosello leccese” was grown in a greenhouse with a soilless technique under light-emitting diodes (LEDs) used as supplementary light system. The obtained results showed that “Carosello leccese” contains up to 71.0 mg·g−1 dried weight (DW) of potassium and several bioactive compounds important for human health such as methyl gallate (35.58 µg·g−1 DW), α-tocopherol (10.12 µg·g−1 DW), and β-carotene (up to 9.29 µg·g−1 DW under LEDs). In fact, methyl gallate has antioxidative and antiviral effects in vitro and in vivo, tocopherols are well recognized for their effective inhibition of lipid oxidation in foods and biological systems and carotenoids are known to be very efficient ph...
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The characterization of Oenococcus oeni strains isolated from Nero di Troia wine (Apulia, Italy) sampled in two distinct production areas was carried out. The two indigenous populations, consisting of 95 and 97 isolates, displayed high... more
The characterization of Oenococcus oeni strains isolated from Nero di Troia wine (Apulia, Italy) sampled in two distinct production areas was carried out. The two indigenous populations, consisting of 95 and 97 isolates, displayed high genetic diversity when analyzed by amplified fragments length polymorphisms (AFLP). Based on the UPGMA dendrogram obtained by AFLP analysis, the two populations displayed similar genotypes that grouped in the same clusters with a high level of similarity (>95%). One genotype was found in only one of the two areas. Representative strains of each cluster were analyzed for their enzymatic activities (esterase, β-glucosidase, and protease), assayed in whole cells, and tested for their metabolic properties (consumption of L-malic acid, citric acid, acetaldehyde, and arginine) and growth parameters. Significant differences among strains, including the reference strain ATCC BAA-1163, were observed for all of these properties. Principal component analysis ...
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This dataset contains the measurements of xylem anatomical traits, native embolism and bacterial contamination presented in the article: Petit G, Bleve G, Gallo A, Mita G, Montanaro G, Nuzzo V, Zambonini D & Pitacco A (2021)... more
This dataset contains the measurements of xylem anatomical traits, native embolism and bacterial contamination presented in the article: Petit G, Bleve G, Gallo A, Mita G, Montanaro G, Nuzzo V, Zambonini D & Pitacco A (2021) Susceptibility to Xylella fastidiosa and functional xylem anatomy in Olea europaea: revisiting a tale of plant-pathogen interaction. AoB Plants
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Olive paste (OP) is a novel by-product of olive mill industry composed of water, olive pulp, and skin. Due to its richness in bioactive compounds, OP exploitation for human consumption has recently been proposed. Starter driven fermented... more
Olive paste (OP) is a novel by-product of olive mill industry composed of water, olive pulp, and skin. Due to its richness in bioactive compounds, OP exploitation for human consumption has recently been proposed. Starter driven fermented OP is characterized by a well-balanced lipid profile, rich in mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and a very good oxidative stability due to the high concentration of fat-soluble antioxidants. These characteristics make OP particularly suitable as a functional ingredient for food/feed industry, as well as for the formulation of nutraceutical products. New types of taralli were produced by adding 20% of fermented OP from black olives (cv Cellina di Nardò and Leccino) to the dough. The levels of bioactive compounds (polyphenols, triterpenic acids, tocochromanols, and carotenoids), as well as the fatty acid profile, were monitored during 180 days of storage and compared with control taralli produced with the same flour without OP supplementation. Tar...
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Research Interests: Analytical Chemistry, Food, Biology, Agricultural Biotechnology, Food Analysis, and 12 morevitamin C, Open Field, Watermelon, Agricultural Research, Antioxidant Activity, Ascorbic Acid, Environmental Conditions, Food Sciences, Nutritional Value, Bioactive Compound, Citrullus lanatus, and Food Composition Analysis
Research Interests: Biochemistry, Chemistry, Plant Biology, Biology, Medicine, and 15 moreGene expression, Phylogeny, Escherichia coli, Experimental Botany, Lipid metabolism, Enzyme, Molecular cloning, Fatty Acid, Prunus, Genomic Library, Enzyme activity, Amino Acid Sequence, Base Sequence, Recombinant Proteins, and Molecular Sequence Data
Research Interests: Metabolism, Plant Biology, Biology, Medicine, Gene expression, and 15 moreAspergillus, Plant diseases, Fatty acids, Experimental Botany, Fungal Infection, Plant Defence, Enzyme, Lipid peroxidation, Fatty Acid, Prunus, Microbial Sensitivity Tests, Biological activity, PLANT PROTEINS, Ochratoxin A, and Aldehydes
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Abstract: In this study, the quali-quantitative composition of hydrophilic (phenolic acids) and lipophilic (isoprenoids) extracts from whole-meal flour of five elite Italian durum wheat cultivars was determined. Significant differences in... more
Abstract: In this study, the quali-quantitative composition of hydrophilic (phenolic acids) and lipophilic (isoprenoids) extracts from whole-meal flour of five elite Italian durum wheat cultivars was determined. Significant differences in the content of bioactive compounds were observed among the wheat extracts, in particular concerning the content of bound phenolic acids, lutein and β-tocotrienols. The cultivars Duilio and Svevo showed the highest amount of phenolic acids and isoprenoids, respectively. Extracts were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity on HT-29 human colon cells by measuring the levels of interleukin 8 (IL-8) and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). Durum wheat extracts significantly inhibited the secretion of the pro-inflammatory IL-8 mediator at 66 µg/mL of phenolic acids and at 0.2 µg/mL of isoprenoids. Conversely, the secretion of the anti-inflammatory mediator TGF-β1 was not modified by neither hydrophilic nor lipophilic extracts. These results pr...
Abstract: Plant cell cultures as valuable tools for the production of specific metabolites can be greatly improved by the application of elicitors including cyclodextrins (CDs) for enhancing the yields of the desired plant compounds. Here... more
Abstract: Plant cell cultures as valuable tools for the production of specific metabolites can be greatly improved by the application of elicitors including cyclodextrins (CDs) for enhancing the yields of the desired plant compounds. Here the effects of 2,6-dimethyl-β-cyclodextrins (DIMEB) on the production of carotenoids and quinones from Artemisia annua L. cell suspension cultures were investigated. The addition of 50 mM DIMEB induced an early increase of intracellular carotenoid and quinone contents, which could be observed to a higher extent for lutein (10-fold), Q9 (3-fold) and Q10 (2.5-fold). Real Time PCR analysis revealed that the expression of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (DXR) gene in DIMEB treated cell cultures after three days was 2.5-fold higher than in untreated samples, thus suggesting that the DIMEB induced increase of carotenoids and quinones could be due to the induction of the plastidial isoprenoid biosynthetic route. In addition, the DIMEB trea...
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Nitrogen is crucial for the productivity of agricultural systems, although there is a growing demand for alternative cultural practices that reduce the off-farm inputs of this fertilizer. Cover crops provide a suite of services; among... more
Nitrogen is crucial for the productivity of agricultural systems, although there is a growing demand for alternative cultural practices that reduce the off-farm inputs of this fertilizer. Cover crops provide a suite of services; among these, they can affect soil nitrogen content. In addition, the use of manure can contribute to a decrease in nitrogen loads from external inputs. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in processing tomato grown under an organic system, the combined use of cover crops (i.e., Vicia faba var. minor, Triticum aestivum, and Raphanus sativus) or cattle manure, with reduced rates of commercial nitrogen fertilizers. The yield and some important qualitative characteristics of the tomato fruits were considered. V. faba was able to enhance the effects of the external input of nitrogen with respect to the yield. External inputs increased tocopherol content with respect to the control but only when it was integrated with manure. The content of carotenoids was not ...
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DNA-based approaches were used to characterize a strain (Salento-1) of Xylella fastidiosa obtained from an olive plant suffering from the syndrome of quick decline in Apulia (South Italy). Salento-1 was indistinguishable from strain... more
DNA-based approaches were used to characterize a strain (Salento-1) of Xylella fastidiosa obtained from an olive plant suffering from the syndrome of quick decline in Apulia (South Italy). Salento-1 was indistinguishable from strain CoDiRO previously isolated from olive in Apulia and assigned to X. fastidiosa subsp. pauca. Based on our results and comparative analysis with reported data, the subspecies pauca , multiplex , and fastidiosa may invade olive throughout the world (California, Italy, Argentina and Brazil). The strain Salento-1 has been deposited in the National Collection of Plant Pathogenic Bacteria (NCPPB), England, and in the Belgian Coordinated Collections of Microorganisms (BCCM), Belgium.
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The employment of multi-species starter cultures has growing importance in modern winemaking for improving the complexity and wine attributes. The assessment of compatibility for selected species/strains at the industrial-scale is crucial... more
The employment of multi-species starter cultures has growing importance in modern winemaking for improving the complexity and wine attributes. The assessment of compatibility for selected species/strains at the industrial-scale is crucial to assure the quality and the safety associated with fermentations. An aspect particularly relevant when the species belong to non-Saccharomyces, Saccharomyces spp. and malolactic bacteria, three categories with different biological characteristics and oenological significance. To the best of our knowledge, the present report is the first study regarding the utilization of a combined starter culture composed of three strains of non-Saccharomyces, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus plantarum for production of wine at the industrial scale. More in-depth, this work investigated the oenological potential of the autochthonous characterized strains from the Apulian region (Southern Italy), Candida zemplinina (syn. Starmerella bacillaris) 35NC1, S...
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SCOPE Polyphenols exhibit their antioxidant activity downstream the activation of the Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathway (Nrf2), but the connection between lipid metabolism and Nrf2 pathway is still unknown.... more
SCOPE Polyphenols exhibit their antioxidant activity downstream the activation of the Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 pathway (Nrf2), but the connection between lipid metabolism and Nrf2 pathway is still unknown. Flavonoids-rich concentrated extract from Prunus mahaleb (mahaleb concentrated fruit extract; mcfe) may act on oxido-reductive homeostasis and hepatic lipid metabolism via Nrf2. METHODS & RESULTS Mcfe ability to enhance the activity of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant/detoxifying enzymes was investigated in liver and colon of BALB/c mice. After a 4-week supplementation, macroscopic, histological and biochemical signs of colitis were examined in mouse colon pulsed with 5% (w/v) Dextran Sodium Sulphate (DSS). Untreated or DSS-supplemented mice were used as negative or positive control. Mcfe effect on liver lipid metabolism and its possible link with the Nrf2 pathway was investigated. Mcfe intake increased antioxidant defenses in mice colon and its pre-treatment blunted pathological signs of colitis, as compared to positive control. In the liver, the increase in antioxidant defenses was associated with enhanced oxidative metabolism and with higher levels of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α) and of hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1), in comparison with negative controls. CONCLUSION Cytoprotective and hypolipidemic effect produced by mcfe intake results, at least in part, by the activation of the Nrf2 pathway. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Table olives fermentation is a process unpredictable and frequently performed using traditional practices often inadequate to obtain products with acceptable quality and safety standards. In the present study, the efficacy of selected... more
Table olives fermentation is a process unpredictable and frequently performed using traditional practices often inadequate to obtain products with acceptable quality and safety standards. In the present study, the efficacy of selected yeast strains as starters to drive fermentations of green and black table olives by the Greek method was investigated. Pilot-scale production by spontaneous fermentation as a control, olives started with previously selected Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains; fermentation driven by commercial S. cerevisiae baker's yeast strain were carried out for each one of Manzanilla, Picual, and Kalamàta table olives cultivars. Time of fermentation was significantly shortened to 40 days to complete the transformation process for all the three tested cultivars. Inoculated table olives were enhanced in their organoleptic and nutritional properties in comparison with corresponding samples obtained by spontaneous fermentation. The use of starters was also able to improve safety traits of table olives in terms of biogenic amines reduction as well as of absence of undesired microorganisms at the end of the process. Autochthonous, but also non-authochthonous yeasts can be used to start and control le olives fermentations and can significantly improve quality and safety aspects of table olives produced by many smallholder farmers. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Stimulated production of secondary phenolic metabolites and proline was studied by using cell cultures of artichoke [Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus (L.) Hayek] submitted to nutritional stress. Artichoke cell cultures accumulated... more
Stimulated production of secondary phenolic metabolites and proline was studied by using cell cultures of artichoke [Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus (L.) Hayek] submitted to nutritional stress. Artichoke cell cultures accumulated phenolic secondary metabolites in a pattern similar to that seen in artichoke leaves and heads (capitula). This paper shows that both callus and cell suspension cultures under nutritional stress accumulated phenolic compounds and proline, at the same time their biomass production was negatively affected by nutrient deficiency. The results obtained strongly suggest that plant tissues respond to nutrient deprivation by a defensive costly mechanism, which determines the establishment of a mechanism of trade-off between growth and adaptive response. Furthermore, the results of this research suggest that perception of abiotic stress and increased phenolic metabolites are linked by a sequence of biochemical processes that also involves the intracellular fre...
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The olive oil is an unfavorable substrate for microbial survival and growth. Only few microorganisms use olive oil fatty acids as carbon and energy sources, and survive in the presence of olive oil anti-microbial components. In this... more
The olive oil is an unfavorable substrate for microbial survival and growth. Only few microorganisms use olive oil fatty acids as carbon and energy sources, and survive in the presence of olive oil anti-microbial components. In this study, we have evaluated the occurrence of microorganisms in 1-year-stored extra-virgin olive oil samples. We detected the presence of bacterial and yeast species with a recurrence of the bacterium Stenotrophomonas rhizophila and yeast Sporobolomyces roseus. We then assayed the ability of all isolates to grow in a mineral medium supplemented with a commercial extra-virgin olive oil as a sole carbon and energy source, and analyzed the utilization of olive oil fatty acids during their growth. We finally focused on two bacterial isolates belonging to the species Pantoea septica. Both these isolates produce carotenoids, and one of them synthesizes bioemulsifiers enabling the bacteria to better survive/growth in this unfavorable substrate. Analyses point to a...
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The effects of fermentation by autochthonous microbial starters on phenolics composition of Apulian table olives, Bella di Cerignola (BDC), Termite di Bitetto (TDB) and Cellina di Nardò (CEL) were studied, highlighting also the cultivars... more
The effects of fermentation by autochthonous microbial starters on phenolics composition of Apulian table olives, Bella di Cerignola (BDC), Termite di Bitetto (TDB) and Cellina di Nardò (CEL) were studied, highlighting also the cultivars influence. In BDC with starter, polyphenols amount doubled compared with commercial sample, while in TDB and CEL, phenolics remain almost unchanged. The main phenolics were hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, verbascoside and luteolin, followed by hydroxytyrosol-acetate detected in BDC and cyanidine-3-glucoside and quercetin in CEL. Scavenger capacity in both DPPH and CAA assays, assessed the highest antioxidant effect for CEL with starters (21.7 mg Trolox eq/g FW; 8.5 μmol hydroxytyrosol eq/100 g FW). The polyphenols were highly in vitro bioaccessible (>60%), although modifications in their profile, probably for combined effect of environment and microorganisms, were noted. Finally, fermented table olives are excellent source of health promoting compounds,...
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Xylella fastidiosa is a Gram-negative, xylem-limited, bacterium which is responsible, in Italy, for the olive quick decline syndrome (OQDS). The disease is caused by the subspecies pauca and emerged a few years ago in the Apulia province... more
Xylella fastidiosa is a Gram-negative, xylem-limited, bacterium which is responsible, in Italy, for the olive quick decline syndrome (OQDS). The disease is caused by the subspecies pauca and emerged a few years ago in the Apulia province of Lecce, in the Salento peninsula, on Olea europaea plants. X. fastidiosa can infect different plant species and is well known in California as the causal agent of Pierce's disease on grape. Infections of susceptible hosts with X. fastidiosa are known to result in xylem vessel occlusions, water movement impairment, and accordingly to induce the typical desiccation symptoms. In this study, we investigated xylem vessel occlusions in healthy and naturally infected O. europaea plants grown in open field by analysing three olive cultivars widespread in the region that show different degree of susceptibility to the disease: the susceptible cultivars “Ogliarola salentina” and “Cellina di Nardo,” and the tolerant cultivar “Leccino.” Our results show that occlusions were caused by tyloses and gums/pectin gels, and not by bacterial cell aggregates. Our data also indicate that occlusions are not responsible for the symptomatology of the OQDS and, as observed in Leccino plants, they are not a marker of tolerance/resistance to the disease.
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Table olives have been a component of the Mediterranean diet for centuries, with the trend for their consumption currently increasing worldwide. They are rich in bioactive molecules with nutritional, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or... more
Table olives have been a component of the Mediterranean diet for centuries, with the trend for their consumption currently increasing worldwide. They are rich in bioactive molecules with nutritional, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or hormone-like properties. In the present study, the concentrations of phenolics, triterpenic acids, carotenoids and vitamins, as well as fatty acid profiles and antioxidant activity, were analyzed in the edible portion of black table olives (Olea europea L.) from Italian (Cellina di Nardò and Leccino) and Greek (Kalamàta and Conservolea) cultivars fermented with selected autochthonous starters and in the corresponding monovarietal olive oils. On a fresh weight basis, Cellina di Nardò and Leccino table olives showed the highest total phenolic content. No significant differences were found with respect to the levels of total triterpenic (maslinic and oleanolic) acids and vitamin E among cultivars. All table olives were characterized by high amounts of oleic, linoleic and palmitic acids. Oils were richer in lipophilic antioxidants (carotenoids and tocochromanols) than table olives, which, instead, showed a higher content of polyphenols and triterpenic acids than oils. The present study demonstrates that fermented table olives are an excellent natural source of unsaturated fatty acids, as well as being nutritionally important health-promoting bioactive compounds. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Abstract Pomegranate, tomato and grape seeds are quantitatively relevant agri-food by-products rich in molecules beneficial to human health. To valorize this resource, the composition and antioxidant activity of seeds and deriving... more
Abstract Pomegranate, tomato and grape seeds are quantitatively relevant agri-food by-products rich in molecules beneficial to human health. To valorize this resource, the composition and antioxidant activity of seeds and deriving supercritical CO 2 (SC-CO 2 ) extracted oleoresins were evaluated. Grape seeds showed the highest content of total phenolic compounds (33.9 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (15.6 mg CE/g) and condensed tannins (14.0 mg CE/g), while tomato seeds presented the highest content of tocochromanols (159.6 μg/g). Grape seeds showed the highest total antioxidant activity (178.2 μmol TE/g), as evaluated by TEAC assay, followed by pomegranate (19.8 μmol TE/g) and tomato (9.8 μmol TE/g). Oleoresin yields obtained by SC-CO 2 extraction from the seeds ranged between 3.1 (pomegranate) to 7.8 (tomato) g oleoresin/100 g. Total tocochromanols were abundant in pomegranate (2008 μg/g) and tomato (1769 μg/g) oleoresins; a relatively low amount was instead detected in the oleoresin extracted from grape seeds (636 μg/g). Carotenoids were not detected in all oleoresins. Pomegranate oleoresin had a higher antioxidant activity than the others. Mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids were more abundant than saturated in all oleoresins, with the highest percentage of unsaturated fatty acids detected in pomegranate seed oleoresin (∼90%), mainly due to punicic acid (∼70%).
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Abstract Prunus mahaleb L. is a marginal fruit crop producing cherry-like dark purple drupes with a very bitter taste, rich in polyphenolic compounds. A mahaleb fruit concentrated extract ( mfce ) has been assayed for its biological... more
Abstract Prunus mahaleb L. is a marginal fruit crop producing cherry-like dark purple drupes with a very bitter taste, rich in polyphenolic compounds. A mahaleb fruit concentrated extract ( mfce ) has been assayed for its biological activities. In this work, we report results on the in vitro effects of mfce including: i) anti-proliferative, gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) modulation and pro-apoptotic properties in a breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), ii) anti-inflammatory properties in human vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC), iii) anti-mutagenic effect on yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain D7. Mfce exerted a dose-dependent anti-proliferative effect on MCF-7 cells together with a significant time-dependent increase in GJIC and a pro-apoptotic effect. Furthermore, mfce significantly reduced levels of endothelial inflammatory antigens in a concentration-dependent manner. Finally, mfce protected S. cerevisiae cells against H 2 O 2 cytotoxicity by direct radical scavenging activity. This study demonstrated multiple healthful biological effects of mfce , highlighting it as a potential nutraceutical product.
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Phenolic acid intake through the consumption of whole-wheat foods provides important health benefits associated with reduced risks of cardiovascular diseases and colon cancer. The genetic variation for phenolic acids was extensively... more
Phenolic acid intake through the consumption of whole-wheat foods provides important health benefits associated with reduced risks of cardiovascular diseases and colon cancer. The genetic variation for phenolic acids was extensively studied in common wheat, but a comprehensive survey in tetraploid wheat is lacking. In this study we evaluated the genetic variability for individual and total phenolic acids concentration existing in a large collection of tetraploid wheat (Triticum turgidum L.). A 2-year evaluation was undertaken on the whole-meal flour of 111 genotypes belonging to seven T. turgidum subspecies including cultivars, landraces and wild accessions. Durum cultivars [T. turgidum subsp. durum (Desf.) MacKey], had the highest average concentration of total phenolic acids (828.7 μg g−1 dm in 2012; 834.5 μg g−1 dm in 2013) with amounts varying from 550.9 μg g−1 dm to 1701.2 μg g−1 dm, indicating a variation of greater than threefold fold. The lowest concentration of phenolic acids was found in T. turgidum subsp. dicoccum (Schrank ex Schübler) Thell. Rivet wheat (T. turgidum L. subsp. turgidum) had phenolic acid concentrations similar to those in durum, but less variation was noted among the accessions. On the other hand, the accessions of the four remaining subspecies showed lower phenolic acid concentrations and variation among the accessions as compared to durum. A total of six phenolic acids were identified across the wheat genotypes. The effects of genotype, year and year × genotype were estimated by ANOVA and resulted significant for all phenolic acids. The ratio of genotypic variance to total variance suggested the possibility of improving phenolic acid content in elite wheat germplasm through appropriate breeding programs. Moreover, significant correlations between phenolic acids and other quality characteristics of the grain were detected.
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Here we describe the encapsulation in α-cyclodextrins (α-CDs) of wheat bran, pumpkin and tomato oleoresins, extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide, to obtain freeze-dried powders useful as ready-to-mix ingredients for novel functional... more
Here we describe the encapsulation in α-cyclodextrins (α-CDs) of wheat bran, pumpkin and tomato oleoresins, extracted by supercritical carbon dioxide, to obtain freeze-dried powders useful as ready-to-mix ingredients for novel functional food formulation. The stability of tocochromanols, carotenoids and fatty acids in the oleoresin/α-CD complexes, compared to the corresponding free oleoresins, was also monitored over time in different combinations of storage conditions. Regardless of light, storage at 25°C of free oleoresins determined a rapid decrease in carotenoids, tocochromanols and PUFAs. α-CD encapsulation improved the stability of most bioactive compounds. Storage at 4°C synergized with encapsulation in preventing degradation of bioactives. Unlike all other antioxidants, lycopene in tomato oleoresin/α-CD complex resulted to be more susceptible to oxidation than in free oleoresin, likely due to its selective sequestration from the interaction with other lipophilic molecules of the oleoresin.
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Traditional vinification process is undertaken with the inoculation of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) at the end of alcoholic fermentation (AF) to induce malolactic fermentation (MLF). MLF is an important phase during winemaking and the... more
Traditional vinification process is undertaken with the inoculation of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) at the end of alcoholic fermentation (AF) to induce malolactic fermentation (MLF). MLF is an important phase during winemaking and the LAB co-inoculation with yeast starter represents a promising approach to enhance the quality and safety of wine. In this investigation we have studied: i) the effect of timing of LAB inoculation on the vinification dynamics and chemical features of Negroamaro wines; ii) the interactions between two commercial yeast and two commercial Oenococcus oeni strains. The fermentations dynamics were monitored by microbial counts, quantifying l-malic acid concentration and analyzing the volatile compounds contents in the obtained wines. Our results indicate that simultaneous yeasts/bacteria inoculation at the beginning of vinification reduces the processes duration and simultaneously lowers of volatile acidity. Wine obtained after co-inoculum showed a profile dominated by red and ripe fruits notes associated to esters and to buttery and creamy notes linked to diethyl succinate and ethyl lactate. Furthermore, compatibility specification between commercial yeasts and LAB strains were observed, suggesting the importance of the assessment of microbial-compatibility before their utilization in large-scale vinification.
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Rampino P., Mita G., Fasano P., Borrelli G.M., Aprile A., Dalessandro G., De Bellis L., Perrotta C.- Novel durum wheat genes up-regulated in response to a combination of heat and drought stress. Plant physiology and Biochemistry (2012), 56:72-78. ISSN:0981-9421, Elsevier Masson SAS. doi: 10.1016/...more
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We identified a lipoxygenase expressed early during almond seed development. Biochemical and molecular characterisation showed that the enzyme produces almost exclusively 9-hydroperoxides which have been demonstrated to be important... more
We identified a lipoxygenase expressed early during almond seed development. Biochemical and molecular characterisation showed that the enzyme produces almost exclusively 9-hydroperoxides which have been demonstrated to be important factors for the production of characteristic aromas in several fruits. An almond LOX cDNA was identified by RT-PCR using RNA extracted from immature almond seeds. Sequence analysis revealed that the identified gene is closely related to tomato fruit and potato tuber lipoxygenases. The isolated cDNA was cloned into pET24a and the expression of recombinant protein was induced in E. coli. The presence of an active LOX was confirmed in cells containing the recombinant vector. HPLC analysis of the reaction products of recombinant almond LOX confirmed that the isolated cDNA encodes a 9-LOX.
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Copyright © 2014 Mariana Tristezza et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work... more
Copyright © 2014 Mariana Tristezza et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The characterization of autochthonous Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains is an important step towards the conservation and employment of microbial biodiversity. The utilization of selected autochthonous yeast strains would be a powerful tool to enhance the organoleptic and sensory properties of typical regional wines. In fact, indigenous yeasts are better tailored to a particular must and because of this they are able to praise the peculiarities of the derived wine. The present study described the biodiversity of indigenous S. cerevisiae strains isolated from natural must fermentations of an ancient and recently rediscovered Apulian grape cultivar, denoted as “Susumaniello. ” The yeast strains denoted by the best oenological and technological features were identified and their fermentative performances were tested by either laboratory assay. Five yeast strains showed that they could be excellent candidates for the production of industrial starter cultures, since they dominated the fermentation process and produced wines characterized by peculiar oenological and organoleptic features. 1.