Comparison of the phenolic contents and epigenetic and genetic variability of wild and cultivated watercress (Rorippa nasturtium var. aquaticum L.)

Background: Epigenetic modifications are key factors modulating the expression of genes involved in the synthesis of phytochemicals. The knowledge of plant epigenetic and genetic variations can contribute to enhance the production of bioactive compounds. These issues have been little explored thus far in Rorippa nasturtium var. aquaticum L. (watercress), an edible and medicinal plant. The aim of the current study was to determine and compare the phenolic composition and epigenetic and genetic variations between wild and cultivated watercress. Results: Significant differences were found in the quantitative phenolic composition between wild and cultivated watercress. The eight primer combinations used in the methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) method revealed different epigenetic status for each watercress type, the cultivated one being the most epigenetically variable. The genetic variability revealed by the EcoRI/MspI amplification profile and also by eight inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers was different between the two types of watercress. The results of the Mantel test showed that the correlation between genetic and epigenetic variations has diminished in the cultivated type. Cluster analyses showed that the epigenetic and genetic characterizations clearly discriminated between wild and cultivated watercress. Conclusions: Relevant chemical, epigenetic, and genetic differences have emerged between wild and cultivated watercress. These differences can contribute to fingerprint and develop quality control tools for the integral and safety use and the commercialization of watercress. The richness of epialleles could support the development of tools to manipulate the watercress epigenome to develop high bioproduct­producing cultivars

Variability of antioxidant activity among honeybee-collected pollen of different botanical origin

Se determinaron las actividades antioxidantes de los extractos crudos de una mezcla de polen apícola y de cada uno de los seis polen constituyentes que formaban esa mezcla. Las determinaciones se hicieron por el método de sustancias reactivas al ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) en preparaciones microsomales de hígado y por el método del bloqueo del radical libre 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidracilo (DPPH*). Las actividades se compararon con la composición de flavonoles y ácidos fenólicos y con los contenidos de flavonoles en el polen. Todos los extractos mostraron actividades antioxidantes. Éstas fueron diferentes para cada especie y no estuvieron claramente asociadas al contenido de flavonoles en el polen. El polen de Amarathus hybridus mostró una alta capacidad inhibidora de la oxidación lipídica. El de la mezcla entera y el de Tagetes sp. fueron efectivos bloqueadores de radicales libres.

The antioxidant activities of total extracts of a mixture of honeybee-collected pollen and its six constituent pollens were determined by lipid peroxidation assay by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) test on hepatic microsomal preparations and by free radical scavenging (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; DPPH*) method. Activities were compared to the flavonol and phenolic acid compositions and flavonol contents in pollen. All extracts showed antioxidant activities as radical scavenger substances and as inhibitors of lipid peroxidation. Antioxidant activities were different for each species and were not clearly associated to the flavonol content in pollen. Pollen of Amaranthus hybridus was a potent lipid oxidation inhibitor, and that of Tagetes sp. and the whole mixture were effective antiradical substances.

Determinaram-se as atividades antioxidantes dos extratos crus de uma mescla de pólen apícola e de cada um dos seis polens constituintes que formavam essa mescla. As determinações se fizeram pelo método de substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) em preparações microssomais de fígado e pelo método do bloqueio do radical livre 2,2-difenil-1-picrilhidracilo (DPPH*). As atividades se compararam com a composição de flavonóis e ácidos fenólicos e com os conteúdos de flavonóis no pólen. Todos os extratos mostraram atividades antioxidantes. Estas foram diferentes para cada espécie e não estiveram claramente associadas ao conteúdo de flavonóis no pólen. O pólen de Amarathus hybridus mostrou uma alta capacidade inibidora da oxidação lipídica. O da mescla inteira e o de Tagetes sp. foram efetivos bloqueadores de radicais livres.

Efectos letal y subletal de lactonas sobre la garrapata del ganado Boophilus annulatus Say / Lethal and sublethal effects of lactones on the cattle tick Boophilus annulatus Say

En este trabajo se evaluó el efecto letal y subletal de cinco lactonas obtenidas de un cultivo líquido de Streptomyces sp, sobre la garrapata del ganado (Boophilus annulatus Say) y la cantidad y calidad de su ovoposición. Los resultados se compararon con los producidos por un fármaco comercial a base de ivermectina. La lactona 3 povocó 30 por ciento de mortalidad, el más alto de las lactonas en experimentación y un descenso mayor en la eclosión de la puesta que el causado por el fármaco comercial usado, lo que le confiere un uso potencial como insecticida