Optimized biotransformation of acid-treated water melon peel hydrolyzate into ethanol / Biotransformação otimizada de hidrolisado de casca de melancia tratada com ácido em etanol

Today, global focus of research is to explore the solution of energy crisis and environmental pollution. Like other agricultural countries, bulk quantities of watermelon peels (WMP) are disposed-off in environment as waste in Pakistan and appropriate management of this waste is the need of hour to save environment from pollution. The work emphasizes the role of ethanologenic yeasts to utilize significant sugars present in WMP for low-cost bioethanol fermentation. Dilute hydrochloric acid hydrolysis of WMP was carried out on optimized conditions employing RSM (response surface methodology) following central composite design (CCD). This experimental design is based on optimization of ethanologenesis involving some key independent parameters such as WMP hydrolysate and synthetic media ratio (X1), incubation temperature (X2) and incubation temperature (X3) for maximal ethanol yield exploiting standard (Saccharomyces cerevisiae K7) as well as experimental (Metchnikowia cibodasensisY34) yeasts. The results revealed that maximal ethanol yields obtained from S. cerevisiae K7 was 0.36±0.02 g/g of reducing sugars whereas M. cibodasensisY34, yielded 0.40±0.01 g ethanol/g of reducing sugars. The yeast isolate M. cibodasensisY34 appeared as promising ethanologen and embodies prospective potential for fermentative valorization of WMP-to-bioethanol.

Hoje, o foco global da pesquisa é explorar a solução da crise energética e da poluição ambiental. Como em outros países agrícolas, grandes quantidades de cascas de melancia (WMP) são descartadas como resíduos no meio ambiente no Paquistão, mas a gestão adequada desses resíduos é a mais recente solução para salvar o meio ambiente da poluição. O trabalho enfatiza o papel das leveduras etanologênicas para utilizar açúcares significativos presentes no WMP para fermentação de bioetanol de baixo custo. A hidrólise de ácido clorídrico diluído de WMP foi realizada em condições otimizadas empregando RSM (metodologia de superfície de resposta) e seguindo o projeto de composto central (CCD). Este projeto experimental é baseado na otimização da etanologenesis envolvendo alguns parâmetros independentes importantes, como hidrolisado de WMP e razão de meio sintético (X1), temperatura de incubação (X2) e temperatura de incubação (X3) para rendimento máximo de etanol explorando o padrão (Saccharomyces cerevisiae K7) também como leveduras experimentais (Metchnikowia cibodasensis Y34). Os resultados revelaram que os rendimentos máximos de etanol obtidos a partir de S. cerevisiae K7 foi de 0,36 ± 0,02 g / g de açúcares redutores, enquanto M. cibodasensis Y34 rendeu 0,40 ± 0,01 g de etanol / g de açúcares redutores. O isolado de levedura M. cibodasensis Y34 apareceu como um etanologeno promissor e incorpora um potencial prospectivo para a valorização fermentativa de WMP em bioetanol.

Efficient genetic transformation and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing of watermelon assisted by genes encoding developmental regulators / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Cucurbitaceae is an important family of flowering plants containing multiple species of important food plants, such as melons, cucumbers, squashes, and pumpkins. However, a highly efficient genetic transformation system has not been established for most of these species (Nanasato and Tabei, 2020). Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), an economically important and globally cultivated fruit crop, is a model species for fruit quality research due to its rich diversity of fruit size, shape, flavor, aroma, texture, peel and flesh color, and nutritional composition (Guo et al., 2019). Through pan-genome sequencing, many candidate loci associated with fruit quality traits have been identified (Guo et al., 2019). However, few of these loci have been validated. The major barrier is the low transformation efficiency of the species, with only few successful cases of genetic transformation reported so far (Tian et al., 2017; Feng et al., 2021; Wang JF et al., 2021; Wang YP et al., 2021). For example, Tian et al. (2017) obtained only 16 transgenic lines from about 960 cotyledon fragments, yielding a transformation efficiency of 1.67%. Therefore, efficient genetic transformation could not only facilitate the functional genomic studies in watermelon as well as other horticultural species, but also speed up the transgenic and genome-editing breeding.

Rootstock mediates transcriptional regulation of citrulline metabolism in grafted watermelon / Mediação do porta-enxerto na regulação transcricional do metabolismo da citrulina na melancia enxertada

Abstract Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid, involved in key biological functions in plants and humans. Rootstocks have a major impact on citrulline accumulation in grafted watermelon. Information regarding rootstock induced changes in citrulline metabolism is elusive. To understand the regulatory mechanism, parallel changes in the expression profiles of citrulline metabolic genes and citrulline content of watermelon were monitored during the development of self-rooted watermelon and watermelon grafted onto pumpkin, wild and bottle gourd rootstocks. Results demonstrated that rootstocks regulated the expression profiles in different ways to influence the citrulline content. GAT, NAGPR, ASS3 ASS2 and Asl2 showed the negative correlation with citrulline content in pumpkin grafted watermelon. Pumpkin rootstock promoted the citrulline content by high down-regulation and synergistic effect of ASS2, ASS3, ASL1 and ASl2 genes. In wild grafted watermelon, citrulline was accumulated as a result of down regulation of GAT, NAGS and ASL2 genes, which showed an inverse correlation with citrulline. In gourd grafted watermelon, changes in citrulline content were observed to be linked with lower expressions of GAT, NAGK, ASS2, ASS3, ASL1 and ARG which were negatively correlated with citrulline content. Our study will provide the basis to understand the molecular mechanism of citrulline accumulation in various rootstocks.

Resumo A citrulina é um aminoácido não essencial, envolvida em importantes funções biológicas de plantas e seres humanos. Os porta-enxertos têm um grande impacto no acúmulo de citrulina na melancia enxertada. Informações sobre alterações induzidas por porta-enxertos no metabolismo da citrulina ainda não foram descritas. Para entender o mecanismo regulatório, foram monitoradas mudanças paralelas nos perfis de expressão dos genes metabólicos de citrulina e no teor de citrulina da melancia durante o desenvolvimento da melancia e da melancia enxertada em porta-enxertos de abóbora, silvestre e cabaça. Os resultados demonstraram que o porta-enxerto regulou os perfis de expressão de diferentes maneiras para influenciar no conteúdo de citrulina. GAT, NAGPR, ASS3, ASS2 e ASL2 apresentaram correlação negativa com o teor de citrulina em melancia enxertada de abóbora. O porta-enxerto de abóbora promoveu o conteúdo de citrulina por meio de baixa regulação e efeito sinérgico de duas famílias de genes ASS e ASL. Na melancia enxertada, a acumulação de citrulina resultou na regulação negativa de GAT, NAGS e ASL2, que mostraram uma correlação inversa com a citrulina. Na melancia enxertada, observou-se que as alterações no conteúdo de citrulina foram associadas a menores expressões de GAT, NAGK, ASS2, ASS3, ASL1 e ARG, que foram negativamente correlacionadas com o conteúdo de citrulina. Esses resultados fornecem a base para identificar o mecanismo molecular do acúmulo de citrulina em vários porta-enxertos.

The Effect of Temperature and Growth Regulators on Callus Induction in Watermelon Anthers

HIGHLIGHTS Callogenesis was induced from watermelon anthers The auxin 2,4-D at 2.0 and 5.0 μM concentrations induced callus formation. Anthers' responses to the pre-treatment at 4 °C varied according to the watermelon genotype.

Abstract Callus induction is one of the pathways required for haploid plant regeneration through anther culture. Pollen viability, as well as the effect of growth regulators and cold pretreatment on anthers of two watermelon lines (Smile and Sugar Baby) to induce callus formation were herein evaluated. Pollen viability was estimated through the staining technique using 2% acetic carmine. Male flower buds were collected and disinfested to allow removal anthers. These anthers were placed on Murashige and Skoog medium, which was supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic (2,4-D) at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 or 5.0 μM or with 6-benzylaminopurine at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 μM, in combination with 2.0 μM of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic. Anthers were pretreated at 4 °C, for two days and then placed in vitro. Both watermelon lines provided high pollen viability rates (from 93 to 98%). The 2.0 and 5.0 μM concentrations of 2,4-D stimulated higher friable callus formation. The optimal concentration of 2,4-D was estimated at 3.78 μM and 4.17 μM, which had callus induction rates of 64% and 52%, respectively. The combination of 2.0 μM of 2,4-D and 6-benzylaminopurine did not lead to increased anther response to callus induction. The pre-treatment applied to flower buds at 4 °C enabled callus induction and the anther response to callus induction was genotype-dependent.

Biological aspects and feeding behavior of cotton aphid in watermelon cultivars submitted to silicon application / Aspectos biológicos e comportamento alimentar do pulgão-do-algodoeiro em cultivares de melancia submetidas à aplicação de silício

This research aimed to evaluate the biological aspects and the feeding behavior of Aphis gossypii in watermelon cultivars submitted to silicon application. The experiment was conducted at the Institute of Education, Agriculture and Environment of the Federal University of Amazonas, Humaitá, Brazil. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2×3 factorial (with and without silicon; cultivars Crimson Sweet, Fairfax and Charleston), with ten replications. The application of silicic acid (1%) was carried out directly on the substrate using dose equivalent to 1 ton SiO2·ha-1, 25 days after sowing. The rearing of aphids was kept in cucumber plants, cultivar Caipira. Insect biology tests were conducted to evaluate the duration of the prereproductive, reproductive and postreproductive periods, longevity, number of nymphs, and feeding behavior using the honeydew secretion technique. Analysis of variance was performed using the statistical program SISVAR and the means were compared by the F and Scott­Knott test (p ≤ 0.05). The silicon application to watermelon plants affects the reproduction and feeding of A. gossypii. The watermelon plants cultivar Crimson Sweet treated with silicon has high resistance to feeding by A. gossypii.(AU)

Nesta pesquisa objetivou-se avaliar os aspectos biológicos e o comportamento alimentar de Aphis gossypii em cultivares de melancia submetidas à aplicação de silício. O experimento foi conduzido no Instituto de Educação, Agricultura e Ambiente da Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Humaitá, Brasil. Utilizaram-se o delineamento experimental inteiramente ao acaso e o esquema fatorial 2×3 (sem silício e com silício; cultivares Crimson Sweet, Fairfax e Charleston), com dez repetições. A aplicação do ácido silícico (1%) foi realizada diretamente no substrato, com dose equivalente a 1 ton SiO2·ha-1, 25 dias após a semeadura. Os pulgões da criação foram mantidos em plantas de pepino, cultivar Caipira. Foram conduzidos ensaios de biologia do inseto para avaliação da duração dos períodos pré-reprodutivo, reprodutivo e pós-reprodutivo, longevidade, número de ninfas e comportamento alimentar por meio da técnica de secreção de honeydew. Realizou-se a análise de variância dos dados utilizando-se o programa estatístico SISVAR e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste de F e Scott­Knott (p ≤ 0,05). A aplicação de silício em plantas de melancia afeta a reprodução e a alimentação de A. gossypii. Plantas de melancia do cultivar Crimson Sweet tratadas com silício apresentam alta resistência à alimentação por A. gossypii.(AU)

Efecto del zumo de sandía (citrullus lanatus) en el estrés oxidativo en espermatozoides humanos / Effect of watermelon juice (citrullus lanatus) on oxidative stress in human sperm

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las alteraciones reproductivas de causa masculina relacionadas con el estrés oxidativo son cada día más estudiadas y dan cuenta de causas de infertilidad diagnosticada como idiopáticas. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar el efecto del zumo de sandía sobre los parámetros seminales convencionales y funcionales in vitro e in vivo. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Cinco muestras de espermatozoides puros fueron incubados con peróxido de hidrógeno (H2O2, 5mM) y 0,45% de extracto de sandía, se determinó la movilidad espermática al tiempo 0, 30 y 60 minutos. En los ensayos in vivo se incluyeron 20 individuos a los cuales se les determinaron los parámetros espermáticos convencionales, funcionales y la capacidad antioxidante del plasma seminal por microscopía, citometría y espectrofotometría en los días 0, 7 y 15 después de iniciar el consumo diario de 16 onzas de zumo de sandía. RESULTADOS: El extracto de sandía protege a los espermatozoides del efecto deletéreo del H2O2 sobre la movilidad espermática. Además, el consumo regular de jugo de sandía disminuye la lipoperoxidación de la membrana espermática, la producción intracelular de especies reactivas del oxígeno, el índice de fragmentación del ADN el día 15 y la capacidad antioxidante el día 7 y 15. CONCLUSIONES: El extracto de sandía genera un efecto protector sobre los espermatozoides humanos in vitro, protegiendo su movilidad del efecto negativo del H2O2. Además, si bien el consumo regular de zumo de sandía no mejora los parámetros seminales convencionales, si mejora algunos parámetros funcionales relacionados con el estrés oxidativo.

OBJETIVE: Male reproductive alterations related to oxidative stress are increasingly studied and account for causes of infertility diagnosed as idiopathic. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of watermelon juice on conventional and functional seminal parameters in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five samples of pure sperm were incubated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 5mM) and 0.45% watermelon extract, sperm motility was determined at time 0, 30 and 60 minutes. In vivo assays, 20 individuals were included. Conventional and functional sperm parameters, and antioxidant capacity of seminal plasma using microscopy, cytometry and spectrophotometry were determined on days 0, 7 and 15 after starting daily consumption of 16 ounces of watermelon juice. RESULTS: Watermelon extract protects sperm cells from the deleterious effect of H2O2 on sperm motility. In addition, regular consumption of watermelon juice decreases sperm membrane lipoperoxidation, intracellular production of reactive oxygen species, DNA fragmentation index on day 15 and antioxidant capacity on day 7 and 15. CONCLUSION: Watermelon extract generates a protective effect on human sperm in vitro, protecting sperm motility from the negative effect of H2O2. In addition, although regular consumption of watermelon juice does not improve conventional seminal parameters, it does improve some functional parameters related to oxidative stress.

Association between fruit and vegetable allergies and pollen-food allergy syndrome in Japanese children: a multicenter cross-sectional case series

BACKGROUND: Recently, the prevalence of food allergies during childhood is increasing, with fruits being common allergens. However, data on allergens that cause fruit and vegetable allergies and pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS) in childhood are relatively few. This study aimed to examine the allergens in fruit and vegetable allergies in pediatric patients and to determine the association between fruit and vegetable allergies and PFAS.OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the current status of fruit and vegetable allergies in Japanese children.METHODS: This was a multicenter case series observational study. The participants included children aged <15 years who developed allergic symptoms after eating fruits and vegetables and subsequently received treatment in the Pediatric Department of 6 hospitals in the Osaka Prefecture in Japan during the study period from August 2016 to July 2017. Participants' information was obtained using a questionnaire, and data were obtained by performing several types of allergy tests using blood samples.RESULTS: A total of 97 children (median age, 9 years; 56 males) were included in the study. Apple was the most common allergen, followed by peach, kiwi, cantaloupe, and watermelon. A total of 74 participants (76%) exhibited allergic symptoms due to PFAS; moreover, pathogenesis-related protein-10 (PR-10) was the most common allergen superfamily. On the contrary, in the group where neither PR-10 nor profilin was sensitized, kiwi and banana were the most common allergens, and the age of onset was lower than that in the PFAS group. Specific antibody titer was significantly associated with Birch for Bet v1 and latex for Bet v2 (r = 0.99 and r = 0.89).CONCLUSION: When we examine patients with fruit and vegetable allergies, we should first consider PFAS even in childhood specifically for children greater than 4 years old.

Organic matter and moringa leaf extract's effects on the physiology and fruit quality of red seedless watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) / Efeitos da matéria orgânica e do extrato da folha de moringa sobre a fisiologia e qualidade do fruto da melancia vermelha sem sementes ( Citrullus lanatus )

This study was designed to assess the effects of different types of organic matter on the quality and biochemical properties of red seedlesswatermelon.The research was a single factor experiment, which involved six (6) treatments and four (4) replications. Watermelon grown and harvested from five (5) different organic matter sources, namely; vermicompost (VC), poultry manure (PM), cow dung (CD), goatdung (GD), and moringa leaf extract (MLE), at the rates of 10 ton, 20 ton, 30 ton, 30 ton, and 3000 L ha-1, respectively, were used in this study. The results revealed that the treatment of vermicompost improved the chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence, stomatal conductance, internal carbon dioxide, net photosynthetic rate, fruit weight and mineral nutrient content of watermelon. The application of cow dung reduced the rind thickness and increased the TSS and antioxidant activity of the watermelon. The goat dung treatment significantly affected fruit size, juice content and the pH content of the watermelon's fruit juice. The poultry manure (PM) and moringa extract (MLE) treatments resulted in the highest anthocyanin content of all the watermelon. Although all the organic matter, in their unique ways, improved the quality of red seedless watermelon, the study shows that the vermicompost application had better growth, yield and improvement in the quality of watermelon.

Este estudo foi desenhado para avaliar os efeitos de diferentes tipos de matéria orgânica sobre a qualidade e propriedades bioquímicas da melancia vermelha sem sementes. A pesquisa foi um experimento de fator único, que envolveu seis (6) tratamentos e quatro (4) repetições. Melancia cultivada e colhida de cinco (5) diferentes fontes de matéria orgânica, nomeadamente; vermicomposto (VC), esterco de galinha (PM), estrume de vaca (CD), esterco de cabra (GD) e extrato de folhas de moringa (MLE), nas doses de 10 ton, 20 ton, 30 ton, 30 ton e 3000 L ha-1, respectivamente, foram utilizados neste estudo. Os resultados revelaram que o tratamento do vermicomposto melhorou o teor de clorofila, a fluorescência da clorofila, a condutância estomática, o dióxido de carbono interno, a taxa fotossintética líquida, o peso do fruto e o teor de nutrientes minerais da melancia. A aplicação de esterco bovino reduziu a espessura da casca e aumentou o TSS e a atividade antioxidante da melancia. O tratamento com esterco de cabra afetou significativamente o tamanho do fruto, o teor de suco e o teor de pH do suco de fruta da melancia. Os tratamentos com esterco de galinha (PM) e extrato de moringa (MLE) resultaram no maior teor de antocianina de todas as melancias. Apesar de toda a matéria orgânica, em seus meios únicos, melhorar a qualidade da melancia vermelha sem sementes, o estudo mostra que a aplicação do vermicomposto apresentou melhor crescimento, rendimento e melhora na qualidade da melancia.

Elaboração e avaliação do pH e atividade de água de frozen iogurte sabor melancia / Preparation and evaluation of the pH and water activity of frozen yogurt flavor watermelon

O frozen iogurte é um produto desenvolvido pela indústria de laticínios que vem se destacando. Desta forma, objetivou-se elaborar frozen iogurte sabor melancia e avaliar o pH e atividade de água do produto pronto para consumo. Para a formulação do frozen iogurte sabor melancia foi utilizado iogurte-70%, liga neutra-1%, emulsificante-1%, açúcar-11% e suco de melancia-17%. Foram realizadas análises de pH e atividade de água (conforme as normas do Instituto Adolfo Lutz) do frozen iogurte sabor melancia após 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 e 49 dias de estocagem a -18ºC. Os valores obtidos foram analisados pelo teste de Tukey a nível de 5% e posterior análise de regressão. Os valores de pH e atividade de água do frozen iogurte sabor melancia apresentaram discreto decréscimo em seus valores após os 49 dias de estocagem.

Elaboração e análise de acidez e atividade de água de geleia mista de entrecasca de melancia e polpa de maracujá in natura / Elaboration and analysis of acidity and water activity of mixed jelly white part of watermelon and passion fruit pulp in natura

A produção de geleia vem se tornando uma alternativa para a conservação de matérias-primas. Desta forma, objetivou-se elaborar geleia mista de entrecasca de melancia e polpa de maracujá e avaliar o teor de acidez e atividade de água. Para a elaboração da geleia mista foi utilizada a proporção de 60 partes da mistura do suco para 40 partes de açúcar. Foram realizadas análises de acidez e atividade de água da geleia mista após 1, 15, 30, 45, 60 e 90 dias de estocagem a 25 ºC. Os valores obtidos foram analisados pelo teste de Tukey. Os valores de pH e atividade de água da geleia mista foram influenciados pelo tempo de estocagem. Conclui-se que é viável a utilização da entrecasca de melancia para a elaboração de geleia mista, o que valoriza a utilização desse subproduto que muitas vezes seria descartado.

Screening and analysis on the differentially expression genes between diploid and autotetraploid watermelon by using of digital gene expression profile / Triagem e análise da expressão diferencial dos genes entre melancia diplóide e autotetraplóide através do perfil de expressão gênica digital

Abstract Synthetic polyploids are key breeding materials for watermelon. Compared with diploid watermelon, the tetraploid watermelon often exhibit wide phenotypic differences and differential gene expression. Digital gene expression (DGE) profile technique was performed in this study to present gene expression patterns in an autotetraploid and its progenitor diploid watermelon, and deferentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to the abiotic and biotic stress were also addressed. Altogether, 4,985 DEGs were obtained in the autotetraploid against its progenitor diploid, and 66.02% DEGs is up-regulated. GO analysis shows that these DEGs mainly distributed in 'metabolic process', 'cell' and 'catalytic activity'. KEGG analysis revealed that these DEGs mainly cover 'metabolic pathways', 'secondary metabolites' and 'ribosome'. Moreover, 134 tolerance related DEGs were identified which cover osmotic adjustment substance, protective enzymes/protein, signaling proteins and pathogenesis-related proteins. This study present the differential expression of stress related genes and global gene expression patterns at background level in autotetraploid watermelons. These new evidences could supplement the molecular theoretical basis for the better resistance after the genome doubling in the gourd family.

Resumo Poliploides sintéticos são materias fundamentais para melhoramento genético da melancia. Comparativamente ao seu homólogo diploide, a melancia tetraploide apresenta amplas diferenças genotípica e fenotípica e diferença de expressão gênica. A expressão gênica digital ou DGE (digital gene expression) foi utilizada neste estudo para representar o perfil de expressão gênica da melancia autotetraploide e seu progenitor diploide e a expressão diferencial de genes relacionados ao estresse biótico e abiótico. Os resultados mostraram que 4.985 DEGs foram observados no organismo autotetraploide, sendo que, deste total, 66.02%foram supra-regulados. A análise de ontologia gênica (GO) mostrou que estes DEGs estão relacionados principalmente com processos metabólicas, célula e atividade catalítica, abrangendo de acordo com a análise de genes e genoma (KEGG) rotas metabólicas, metabolismo secundário e ribossomos. Além disso, 134 genes de defesa foram identificados, abrangendo substâncias de ajuste osmótico, enzimas/proteínas de proteção, proteínas sinalizadoras e proteínas relacionadas à patogênese. Este estudo mostrou a expressão diferencial de genes relacionados ao estresse e o perfil global de expressão gênica de melancia autotetraploide, estes resultados podem complementar, a nível molecular, o entendimento do fator resistência após a duplicação do genoma em cucurbitáceas.

Drought tolerance of four vegetable crops during germination and initial seedling growth / Tolerância de quatro espécies de hortaliças ao déficit hídrico durante a germinação e crescimento inicial das plântulas

Seeds of arugula (Eruca sativa Miller, cv. Cultivada), carrot (Daucus carota L., cv. Nantes), eggplant (Solanum melongena L., cv. Embú) and watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai cv. Crimson Sweet] were submitted to different osmotic potentials induced by polyethylene glycol(PEG) with the objective of evaluate the effects of drought stress on seed germination and initial seedling growth. Seeds were distributed in plastic boxes containing blotter paper, soaked with PEG solutions prepared with osmotic potentials 0.0 (control), ­0.2, ­0.4, and ­0.8 MPa and kept into a seed germinator, at 25 °C for 14 days. A completely randomized design in a 4 × 4 factorial scheme with four replicates of 50 seeds each was used. The results showed that by increasing of the osmotic potential level, germinated seeds number, germination rate index, root and shoot length, shoot and root dry matter, and seedling vigor indices decreased, while mean germination time and root: shoot ratio increased in all four vegetable crops. Additionally, the carrot and watermelon are more susceptible than arugula and eggplant to drought stress, with germination response declining more rapidly with the rise of osmotic potential level. Arugula and eggplant crops tolerate water stress of up to ­0.2 MPa, without reducing germination of the seeds; however, the growth of shoots and roots are inhibited. The germination process of eggplant and watermelon seeds are completely inhibited at ­0.8 MPa osmotic potential, whereas germination of carrot seeds is completely inhibited at ­0.4 MPa osmotic potential. Severe drought stress limits the process of seed germination and initial seedling growth of vegetable crops.

Sementes de rúcula (Eruca sativa Miller, cv. Cultivada), cenoura (Daucus carota L., cv. Nantes), berinjela (Solanum melongena L., cv. Embú) e melancia [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai cv. Crimson Sweet] foram submetidas a diferentes potenciais osmóticos simulados com polietileno glicol (PEG 6000) com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos do estresse hídrico na germinação e no crescimento inicial das plântulas. As sementes foram distribuídas em caixas plásticas tipo Gerbox® contendo papel mata-borrão, o qual foi umedecido com diferentes soluções de PEG preparadas com quatro níveis de potenciais osmótico [0 (controle); ­0,2; ­0,4; e ­0,8 MPa]. As caixas plásticas foram então mantidas em câmara de germinação à 25 °C por 14 dias. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 4 × 4, com quatro repetições de 50 sementes cada. Os resultados mostraram que o aumento do nível de potencial osmótico da solução reduziu a porcentagem de germinação das sementes, o índice de velocidade de germinação, o comprimentos da parte aérea e da raiz principal, a produção de matéria seca da parte aérea e das raízes e os índices de vigor das plântulas, enquanto que o tempo médio de germinação e a relação entre a matéria seca da raiz/parte aérea aumentou em todas as quatro espécies de hortaliças. As culturas de cenoura e melancia são mais susceptível que a rúcula e a berinjela ao estresse hídrico, com resposta de germinação declinando mais rapidamente com o aumento do nível de potencial osmótico. A rúcula e a berinjela toleram estresse hídrico de até ­0,2 MPa, sem reduzir o processo de germinação das sementes; no entanto, o crescimento da parte aérea e das raízes são inibidos. O processo de germinação das sementes de berinjela e melancia são completamente inibidos em potencial osmótico de ­0.8 MPa, ao passo que a germinação das sementes de cenoura é completamente inibida em potencial osmótico de ­0.4 MPa. O estresse hídrico severo limita o processo de germinação das sementes e crescimento inicial de plântulas das quatro espécies de hortaliças.

Susceptibility assessment of watermelon and pumpkin cultivars to potyvirus in Tocantins / Avaliação da susceptibilidade de cultivares de melancia e abóbora a potyvirus obtidos do estado de Tocantins

Cucurbits cultivation has great importance in the food industry. However, in the main producing regions of curcubits, the increase of cultivation areas has been limited by viral infections. Among the most prevalent viruses there is the Watermelon Mosaic Virus (WMV), Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRSV-W) and Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus (ZYMV). The aim of this study was to evaluate the reaction of watermelon genotypes (Crimson sweet and Charleston Gray) and pumpkin (Jacarezinho and Caserta) to isolate watermelon strains in the following cities: Palmas (PYP-12), Gurupi (PYG-14 and PYG-19), Formoso do Araguaia (PYF-6), and Porto Nacional (PyPn-36 and PyPn-39). The experiment was performed in a greenhouse, in a completely randomized design, with 5 testing plants for each repetition to measure the response of these strains to cucurbit genotypes. The inoculated strains were obtained from leaves of watermelon cv Crinson sweet with symptoms The plants were rated by severity of viral symptoms in intervals of four days during 32 days. It was verified that the cucurbit genotypes showed different susceptibility to the viral strains. However, Caserta and Charleston gray were the ones which had greater sensitivity due to their high severity variation among the tested strains. Thus, it can be observed that the reaction among strains depends on the host and this reaction can be antagonistic or synergistic, depending on the mixed infection. Charleston gray watermelon was the most susceptible to most of the viral strains. Thus, this cultivar should be avoided in these regions.

O cultivo de cucurbitáceas tem grande importância no que diz respeito à alimentação, mas o aumento das áreas de plantio tem sido limitado por infecções virais nos principais pólos produtores de cucurbitáceas. Entre os mais prevalentes destacam-se o vírus do mosaico da melancia (WMV), o vírus da mancha anelar do mamoeiro estirpe melancia (PRSV-W) e o vírus do mosaico amarelo da abobora (ZYMV). Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a reação dos genótipos de cucurbitácea Melancia Crimson sweet e Charleston gray; Abóbora: Jacarezinho e Caserta, para isolar variedades de safra de melancia nas cidades de Palmas (PYP-12), Gurupi (PYG-14 e PYG-19), Formoso do Araguaia (PYF-6) e Porto Nacional (PyPn-36 e PyPn-39). O experimento delineamento inteiramente casualizado (DIC), foi conduzido em estufa e foram utilizadas 5 plantas de teste para cada repetição para medir a resposta dessas cepas aos genótipos de cucurbitáceas. A inoculação dos vírus em plantas realizada a partir de folhas com a infecção de melancia Crimson sweet. As plantas inoculadas foram avaliadas por graus de severidade em quatro dias de intervalo durante 32 dias após a inoculação. Verificou-se que os genótipos de cucurbitaceas analisadas apresentaram susceptibilidade diferente às cepas virais testadas. No entanto, o genótipo de abóbora de Caserta e Charleston gray foram as que apresentou maior sensibilidade, devido à sua alta variação de severidade entre as cepas. Assim, podemos ver que a reação entre as estirpes depende do hospedeiro e a reação pode ser antagonista ou sinérgica dependendo da infecção mista. A melancia Charleston gray foi o mais suscetível à maioria das cepas virais. Assim, esta cultivar deve ser evitada nessas regiões.

Control of gummy stem blight in watermelon through different management systems / Controle da podridão gomosa em melancia através de diferentes sistemas de manejo

Gummy stem blight, caused by Didymella bryoniae (Auersw.) Rehn, is a disease that affects the productivity of watermelon leading to losses exceeding 40%. This study aimed at evaluating the efficiency of different production systems in the control of watermelon gummy stem blight in order to establish effective methods to combat the disease. The following treatments were applied: conventional management, integrated management and organic production. Mineral fertilizer was applied to conventional and integrated management, whereas in organic production was used the cattle manure. There was application of fungicides and insecticides in commercial doses in conventional and integrated management, and the application was according to monitoring in integrated management. No fungicide or insecticide was applied to organic production. The disease severity was assessed by rating scale. The experimental design was randomized blocks. The severity of gummy stem blight increased substantially during fruit formation. Watermelon plants grown with integrated management showed lower levels of disease severity, while plants in organic production exhibited higher severity levels. We conclude that the management based on judicious monitoring in field is the best way to attain appropriate phytosanitary quality for the watermelon crop in Tocantins State, Brazil.

A podridão gomosa (Didymella bryoniae) é uma doença que afeta a produtividade da melancia levando a perdas superiores a 40%. Objetivou-se avaliar a eficiência de diferentes sistemas de produção no controle da podridão gomosa em melancia visando estabelecer métodos eficientes de combate à doença. Aplicou-se os seguintes tratamentos: manejo convencional, manejo integrado e cultivo orgânico. A adubação mineral foi aplicada em manejo convencional e no manejo integrado, enquanto que no cultivo orgânico foi utilizado o esterco bovino. Houve aplicação de fungicidas e inseticidas em doses comerciais no manejo convencional e manejo integrado, sendo que no manejo integrado a aplicação foi conforme monitoramento. A severidade da doença foi avaliada por escala de notas. O delineamento experimental foi blocos ao acaso. A severidade da podridão gomosa aumentou substancialmente na fase de formação dos frutos. Plantas de melancia cultivadas com o manejo integrado apresentaram menores níveis de severidade da doença, enquanto as plantas em cultivo orgânico exibiram maiores níveis de severidade. Conclui-se que o manejo baseado em acompanhamentos criteriosos em campo representa a melhor maneira de atingir o aspecto fitossanitário adequado para o cultivo de melancia no Estado do Tocantins, Brasil.

Food and nutrient intake status of Korean elderly by degree of cognitive function / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the relationship among cognitive function, nutrition screening initiative (NSI) score, and food intake status. METHODS: A total of 409 subjects aged over 60 years were recruited from the Yongin dementia prevention and control center. Mini Mental State Examination Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS) method was used to assess the cognitive function of the subjects. Information on health related behaviors and food intake was collected by face to face interview using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaires included the NSI DETERMINE checklist, food intake sheets by 24 hr recall method and by semi-quantified food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: Subjects were divided into low cognitive or normal groups according to the MMSE-DS result. The prevalence of low cognitive function in the subjects was 25.7%. The low cognitive group exercised less and had higher nutritional health risk than the normal group. The low cognitive group had lower consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acid and higher tendency of thiamin, riboflavin, and iron deficiency. The low cognitive group had less frequency of eating mackerel, pepper, tangerine, and watermelon and higher frequency of eating white rice and cookies than the normal group. CONCLUSION: The results of this study imply that the cognitive function of elderly is related to exercise behavior, nutritional health risk, and food and nutrient intake status.

Escala diagramática para avaliação da severidade do crestamento gomoso do caule em melancia / Diagrammatic scale for evaluation of gummy stem blight severity in watermelon

O crestamento gomoso do caule, causado pelo fungo Didymella bryoniae, é uma doença comumente encontrada na melancia cultivada em vários países. No Brasil, são inúmeras as pesquisas relacionadas à doença, porém não há métodos padronizados de quantificação da severidade da doença em campo. Assim, foi desenvolvida uma escala diagramática com base em padrões de fotos digitalizadas de folhas de melancia infectadas com D. bryoniae. A escala desenvolvida apresentou níveis de 0; 10; 20; 45; 65 e 90% de severidade. A validação da escala foi dividida em duas partes: inicialmente, 10 avaliadores (metade com experiência e a outra metade sem experiência) estimaram a severidade da doença com base na observação inicial de 100 fotos de folhas de melancia com sintomas da doença em diferentes níveis de severidade. Em seguida, os mesmo avaliadores estimaram a severidade da doença com o auxílio da escala confeccionada a partir do programa Quant. Os dados foram analisados a partir de regressão linear e obtidos os coeficientes angular, linear e de correlação. A partir dos dados obtidos, determinou-se a acurácia e precisão das avaliações. Os coeficientes de determinação (R2) variaram entre 0,88 - 0,97 para os avaliadores experientes e de 0,55 - 0,95 para os avaliadores inexperientes. O coeficiente angular (A) médio para os avaliadores inexperientes foi de 20,42 e 8,61 sem e com o auxílio da escala diagramática, respectivamente. Os avaliadores experientes apresentaram valores de A médios de 5,30 e 1,68 sem e com o uso da escala diagramática, respectivamente. A análise dos erros absolutos indicou que o uso da escala diagramática contribuiu para minimizar as falhas na estimativa dos níveis de severidade. A escala diagramática proposta mostrou-se adequada para avaliação da severidade do crestamento gomoso do caule em melancia.

The gummy stem blight, caused by the fungus D. bryoniae, is a disease commonly found in watermelon cultivated in several countries. In Brazil, there are numerous studies related to the disease, but there are not uniform methods for quantifying of disease severity in the field. Thus, we developed a diagrammatic scale based on scanned photos of watermelon leaves infected with D. bryoniae. The scale developed showed levels of 0; 10; 20; 45; 65 and 90% of severity. The scale validation was divided into two parts: initially, 10 evaluators (half with experienced and other half without experience) estimated the disease severity based on the initial observation of 100 photos of watermelon leaves with symptoms of the disease at different severity levels. Before, the same evaluators estimated the disease severity with the support of the scale prepared from the Quant program. Data were analyzed using linear regression and were obtained angular, linear, and correlation coefficients. Based on these data, we determined the accuracy and precision of the evaluations. The correlation coefficients (R2) ranged from 0.88 - 0.97 for the experienced evaluators and from 0.55 - 0.95 for the inexperienced evaluators. The average angular coefficient (A) for inexperienced evaluators was 20.42 and 8.61 with and without the support of diagrammatic scale, respectively. Experienced evaluators showed values of average linear coefficient of 5.30 and 1.68 with and without the support of diagrammatic scale, respectively. The absolute errors analysis indicated that the use of diagrammatic scale contributed to minimize the flaws in the severity levels estimation. The diagrammatic scale proposed shown adequate for gummy stem blight severity evaluation in watermelon.

Construction of cDNA expression library of watermelon for isolation of ClWRKY1 transcription factors gene involved in resistance to Fusarium wilt.

Full-length cDNAs are very important for genome annotation and functional analysis of genes. The number of full-length cDNAs from watermelon remains limited. Here we report first the construction of a full-length enriched cDNA library from Fusarium wilt stressed watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.) cultivar PI296341 root tissues using the SMART method. The titer of primary cDNA library and amplified library was 2.21 × 106 and 2.0 × 1010 pfu/ml, respectively and the rate of recombinant was above 85%. The size of insert fragment ranged from 0.3 to 2.0 kb. In this study, we first cloned a gene named ClWRKY1, which was 1981 bp long and encoded a protein consisting of 394 amino acids. It contained two characteristic WRKY domains and two zinc finger motifs. Quantitative real-time PCR showed that ClWRKY1 expression levels reached maximum level at 12 h after inoculation with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum. The full-length cDNA library of watermelon root tissues is not only essential for the cloning of genes which are known, but also an initial key for the screening and cloning of new genes that might be involved in resistance to Fusarium wilt.

Danos e sintomatologia de vírus associado à cultura da melancia no estado do Tocantins / Damage and symptoms associated with watermelon virus in Tocantins state

A baixa produtividade e a qualidade dos frutos de melancia estão quase sempre associadas à ocorrência de fitopatogenos, dentre estes destacam as doenças de etiologia viral. Visando o entendimento do complexo vírus/planta de melancia, este trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar os danos e sintomas induzidos pelos vírus PRSV-W, CMV, ZYMV e WMV, quando inoculados em plantas de melancia, cv. 'Crimson sweet', aos 5, 12 e 19 dias após a emergência (DAE). Os vírus PRSV-W, CMV, ZYMV e WMV influenciaram significativamente (p<0,05) na redução do peso da matéria fresca da parte aérea, na coloração da polpa e redução no peso dos frutos da melancia. Assim como, no teor de sólidos solúveis (ºBrix). Sendo mais significativa em plantas inoculadas com CMV. De modo geral, os vírus PRSV-W, WMV, CMV e ZYMV afetaram o desenvolvimento, a produção da planta da melancia e consequentemente, limita a qualidade do fruto.

Watermelon is one of the most important vegetables grown in Brazil. However, there are several factors responsible for low productivity of crops. Among these stands out the occurrence of associated virus culture. Thus, this study aimed to assess the damage and symptoms of PRSV-W, CMV, ZYMV and WMV inoculated at 5, 12 and 19 days after emergence (DAE). According to the results, PRSV-W viruses, CMV, ZYMV and WMV influenced significantly (p <0.05) reduction in the fresh weight of shoots and on pulp and reduction of fruit weight of inoculated plants. As noted on pulp plants inoculated with PRSV-W, at 5 DAE. With regard to the soluble solids content (° Brix) was dramatically reduced by the virus and inoculation period, in this case being more significant fruits of plants inoculated with CMV presented Brix 3.67 to 5.11 depending on the inoculation period. In general, viruses PRSV-W, WMV, CMV, ZYMV and influence the development and consequently the production of watermelon. Thus, an important factor for the reduction in the quality of fruit produced.

Oral Allergy Syndrome to Watermelon and Melon / 대한피부과학회지

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) usually presents as an immediate swelling and itching sensation of the mouth and throat after ingestion of a food allergen. OAS may be the most common food allergy-related manifestation. Watermelon and melon belong to the Cucurbitaceae family and often show allergenic cross reactivity. Profilin is a 13 kda protein that is identified as a relevant pollen allergen in airborne pollen and related plant food allergies. Profilin is found in both watermelon and melon. Here we report a case of OAS to watermelon and melon in an 11 year-old boy. He was positive to the skin prick test, patch test and oral challenge test with watermelon and melon.

Assessing the children's views on foods and consumption of selected food groups: outcome from focus group approach

The food choices in childhood have high a probability of being carried through into their adulthood life, which then contributes to the risk of many non-communicable diseases. Therefore, there is a need to gather some information about children's views on foods which may influence their food choices for planning a related dietary intervention or programme. This paper aimed to explore the views of children on foods and the types of foods which are usually consumed by children under four food groups (snacks, fast foods, cereals and cereal products; and milk and dairy products) by using focus group discussions. A total of 33 school children aged 7-9 years old from Selangor and Kuala Lumpur participated in the focus groups. Focus groups were audio-taped, transcribed and analyzed according to the listed themes. The outcomes show that the children usually consumed snacks such as white bread with spread or as a sandwich, local cakes, fruits such as papaya, mango and watermelon, biscuits or cookies, tea, chocolate drink and instant noodles. Their choices of fast foods included pizza, burgers, French fries and fried chicken. For cereal products, they usually consumed rice, bread and ready-to-eat cereals. Finally, their choices of dairy products included milk, cheese and yogurt. The reasons for the food liking were taste, nutritional value and the characteristics of food. The outcome of this study may provide additional information on the food choices among Malaysian children, especially in urban areas with regard to the food groups which have shown to have a relationship with the risk of childhood obesity.