Search Results (8)

Thermal processing alters the nutritional and functional properties of vegetable food. In this study, using electrophoretic, spectrophotometric, and statistical analyses, we analyzed the effects of boiling, blanching, steaming, and blanching followed by pan-frying and air-frying on the concentration of bioactive compounds in kale and chard, and the biological effects of their extracts. In addition to analyzing the vegetable tissues, the residual water remaining after thermal processing was also examined to assess the nutritional potential of this often overlooked and typically discarded by-product. The residual cooking water had the highest antioxidant capacity, according to ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays (57.83% ± 18.16%, 33.58% ± 16.55%, and 81.58% ± 0.78% for kale and 74.53% ± 4.56%, 13.62% ± 7.34%, and 82.97% ± 0.44% for chard, respectively). Air-frying and cooking water contained the highest total phenolics (0.48 ± 0.17 mg GAE/g fw and 0.35 ± 0.06 mg GAE/g fw for kale and 0.88 ± 0.21 mg GAE/g fw and 0.80 ± 0.06 mg GAE/g fw for chard, respectively). Thermally processed chard had a higher concentration of oxidative marker H₂O₂ than kale. An inverse relationship between soluble sugars and H₂O₂ levels was observed. In kale, cooking processes caused the greatest reduction in soluble sugars, whereas in chard, this effect was most pronounced during blanching. Chard had more photosynthetic pigments than kale. Heat treatments caused more differences between kale samples than chard samples. Pan-frying best preserved chlorophylls, porphyrins, and carotenoids. According to both PC and HC analysis, the tissues of kale were clearly distinguishable from the water remaining after boiling/blanching/steaming kale. These results may help to optimize industrial processing conditions to better preserve bioactive compounds and create opportunities for the valorization of cooking by-products. Full article

This study evaluates the effect of a chemical fertilizer (ammonium nitrate), a compost (vermicompost from cattle manure) and two biochars (from vine prunings and wood chips, respectively), applied to the soil alone or in mixture, on the yield, phytochemical content and biological activity of Beta vulgaris L. var. cycla (Swiss chard). The respective treatments, each replicated four times, were arranged according to a completely randomized block design. Results showed that vermicompost, both alone and in mixture with vine pruning biochar, significantly increased yield parameters (plant height and leaf area) and yield over the untreated soil and the biochars alone, similar to ammonium nitrate. Moreover, vermicompost, both alone and in mixture, respectively, with the two biochars, determined lower total N and NO₃⁻ contents than ammonium nitrate, both alone and in mixture, respectively, with the two biochars. In particular, NO₃⁻ content was within the safe thresholds fixed for leafy vegetables by the European Commission to prevent any adverse implication on human health from dietary NO₃⁻ exposure. The biochars alone resulted in very low yield and leaf total N content, likely due to a limited release of N for plant uptake, also evidenced by the undetectable NO₃⁻ leaf content, similarly shown by plants grown in untreated soil. Vermicompost, alone or in mixture, respectively, with the two biochars, increased the content of specialized metabolites, with a positive effect on antioxidant activity. The organic amendments, particularly compost, could be an alternative to chemical fertilizers to reach a trade-off between yield, nutritional and health qualities in Swiss chard, meeting the needs of farmers and consumers as well as the targets for sustainable food production. Full article

The use of recycled materials as soil amendments and fertilizers is an important priority in the agronomic sector to valorize waste from a circular economic perspective and reduce waste disposal, reduce dependence on external inputs, and provide better climate change mitigation options. In this study, we evaluated the agroecological performance of compost derived from recycled organic matrices of urban waste (mixed composted amendment, MCA) of the metropolitan area of Rome. MCA is available in big quantities and might represent an interesting option to substitute conventional mineral nitrogen fertilizer (CF). The effect of MCA, CF, and a combination of both (MIX 1:1) was tested on crop yield and greenhouse gas emissions in a field trial on a common Mediterranean crop (Swiss chart, one season, two crop cycles). The MCA effect on crop yield was positive and comparable to CF and MIX treatments, while MCA treatment showed the lower soil mineral nitrogen (N) content. GHG emissions in the MCA treatment were comparable to those observed in CF and MIX, being overall quite low. The soil acted as a weak net CH₄ sink in all treatments (−12.6 ± 6.1 μg CH₄ m⁻² h⁻¹); no differences in CO₂ emissions between MCA and CF or MIX treatments were observed (range 0.1−0.2 g m⁻² h⁻¹). The N₂O emission intensity of MCA was slightly lower than MIX and CF treatments (0.09, 0.011, and 0.011 g N₂O kg⁻¹ crop dry weight, respectively). Overall, MCA seemed a valid alternative to CF for the tested agro-environmental indicators in the spring/summer Mediterranean conditions. Full article

From the perspective of sustainable agri-food production, farmers need to make the best use of natural resources. Biochar can be a solution to adopt a more sustainable way of farming. Despite its environmental and agronomic advantages, biochar has a low plant nutrient value. This study evaluated the effect of biochar and the co-application of an inorganic or organic fertilizer on the soil properties, growth and nutrient content of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cycla, Caryophyllales order, Chenopodiaceae family). The experiment consisted of two factors: biochar type (from vineyard prunings and wood chips) and fertilizing source (ammonium nitrate and vermicompost). Biochars were applied at a 2% rate (w/w) and fertilizers at a dose providing 280 kg N ha⁻¹. The soil properties (pH, EC, extractable anions, cations, total N, Corg and C/N ratio) were measured before the plants were transplanted and at the end of the growing cycle, along with the growth parameters (leaf number, length and fresh weight) of each leaf cut, the productive parameters (total number of leaves and yield per plant) at the end of the growing cycle and the leaf content of anions (NO₃⁻, P₂O₄³⁻, SO₄²⁻), cations (NH₄⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) and total N. The co-application of biochar and a fertilizing source had a positive effect on soil properties and leaf nutrient content. Vermicompost increased plant growth by 22% and plant yield by 116%, in contrast to biochar, and increased limited leaf NO₃⁻ accumulation by about 81% in comparison to ammonium nitrate. The co-application of biochar and vermicompost is the better option to increase Swiss chard yield while preserving the nutritional and health qualities of the product. Full article

The expression pattern of the markers p19, Ki-67, MSX1, MSX2, PDL1, pRB, and CYCLINA2 was quantitatively and semiquantitatively analyzed in histologic sections of the developing and postnatal human eye at week 8, in retinoblastoma, and in various uveal melanomas post hoc studies by double immunofluorescence. The p19 immunoreactivity characterized retinal and/or choroidal cells in healthy and tumor tissues: expression was lower in the postnatal retina than in the developing retina and retinoblastoma, whereas it was high in epithelioid melanomas. Ki67 expression was high in the developing eye, retinoblastoma, and choroidal melanomas. MSX1 and MSX2 expression was similar in the developing eye and retinoblastoma, whereas it was absent in the postnatal eye. Their different expression was evident between epithelioid and myxoid melanomas. Similarly, PDL1 was absent in epithelioid melanomas, whereas it was highly expressed in developing and tumor tissues. Expression of pRB and CYCA2 was characteristic of developing and tumorous eye samples but not of the healthy postnatal eye. The observed expression differences of the analyzed markers correlate with the origin and stage of cell differentiation of the tissue samples. The fine balance of expression could play a role in both human eye development and ocular tumorigenesis. Therefore, understanding their relationship and interplay could open new avenues for potential therapeutic interventions and a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the developmental plasticity of the eye and the development of neoplasms. Full article

In recent years, soil addition with organic amendments, such as biochar and compost, has gained attention as an effective agronomic practice to sustain soil fertility, enhance plant growth and crop yield. Well known are the positive effects of compost on yield of a wide crop varieties, while both positive and negative responses are reported for biochar Therefore, the aim of the study was to verify the effect of biochar mixed with three types of compost on quanti-qualitative response of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. cycla), a leafy green vegetable rich in dietary antioxidants, largely consumed worldwide. A factorial experiment in pots with two factors, including biochar (without biochar and with biochar from vine pruning residues) and compost (without compost, with compost from olive pomace, with vermicompost from cattle manure, and with compost from cattle anaerobic digestate), was setup. Two growth cycles were considered, and a set of quantitative (height of plants, number, area and fresh weight of leaves) and qualitative parameters (carotenoids, chlorophyll, total N, and NO₃⁻content of leaves) were analyzed. Biochar decreased plant growth and NO₃⁻ leaf content; on the contrary, it increased total N leaf content, while compost improved all the considered parameters. The interactive effect of biochar and compost was evident only on total N and NO₃⁻ leaf content. In our experimental conditions, the compost showed to be the best option to improve Swiss chard growth and increase the content of phytopigments, while the biochar-compost mixtures did not produce the expected effect. Full article

Soil addition with organic amendments is an issue that receives growing attention in the agricultural sector. However, the effects of such materials on plant growth and crop yield are highly variable in the literature. This study aims to evaluate the influence of soil addition with biochar (from vine pruning residues), vermicompost (from cattle manure), and three different composts (from olive pomace or cattle anaerobic digestate), on the quali-quantitative response of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cycla) grown in pots. The organic amendments were applied to the soil in two doses to provide 140 and 280 kg N ha⁻¹, respectively. Two growth cycles were considered, and, at each leaf cut, plants were analyzed for growth parameters (height, fresh weight, leaf number, and leaf area) and qualitative characteristics (nitrogen, nitrate, and pigment leaf content). Swiss chard responded positively to organic amendment and, particularly when the soil was treated with compost from animal wastes, higher plant growth and pigment leaf content were observed. Nitrate leaf content was always well below the NO₃⁻ thresholds established by the European Commission Regulations. Biochar application did not show a positive effect on the quali-quantitative characteristics of Swiss chard, likely due to benefits that may be achieved over time. Full article

The sweet potato weevil (Cyclas formicarius Fabr.) remains a serious threat to sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Poir.) production and is considered the most destructive pest of sweet potatoes in the field and storagein the Philippines. Chemical control of the weevil is seldom practiced by farmers because they find it too costly, it may increase the chance for pesticide resistance, and because of public concern of its effectson non-target organisms. The use of biological controls such as entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) could offer an effective, economical, and environmentally-friendly alternative management of the weevil. This study determined the occurrence and distribution of entomopathogenic nematodes in selected sweet potato growing areas in the Philippines. Using soil from 13 sweet potato growing areas, EPNs were recovered using the insect baiting method. Morbid insect larvae were suspended in sterile water for 48 h, and the suspension was examined under a stereomicroscope for the presence of EPN. Out of 47 samples collected from the 13 sweet potato production areas, 39 (82%) were positive for the presence of EPNs. Preliminary identification of the EPNs through morphological characters showed that they belonged to Rhaditida: Heterorhabditidae and Steinernematidae. This is the first report on the occurrence of EPNs in sweet potato fields in the Philippines, and their distribution strongly supports the possibility of utilizing them in an IPM management approach as biological agents against the sweet potato weevil. Morphometric and molecular-based identification and pathogenicity studies are underway. Full article