Nutrient, fibre, sorbitol and chlorogenic acid content of prunes (Prunus domestica): an updated analysis and comparison of different countries of origin and database values.

Current prune composition data are outdated and require a comprehensive and comparative re-analysis. This novel study aimed to: (i) analyse and compare prune composition from major countries of origin; and (ii) provide a comprehensive compositional analysis of prunes of USA origin and compare this with UK and USA database data. Prune samples were analysed for major nutrients and bioactive compounds and compared between countries of origin. Total fibre was higher in prunes from the USA (12.0 g/100 g) and Chile (11.5 g/100 g) compared with France (8.4 g/100 g) and Argentina (8.9 g/100 g), while prunes from all countries contained high levels of sorbitol (11.2-15.5 g/100 g). Differences in energy and starch values compared with national databases reflected different approaches to sampling and analysis. In conclusion, prunes contain high levels of fibre and other bioactive compounds. Variations between country of origin and database values highlight the importance of transparency in documenting sampling and analysis methods.

Polysaccharides from prunes: gastroprotective activity and structural elucidation of bioactive pectins.

Prunes are the dried fruits from Prunus domestica. After the purification steps, two homogeneous polysaccharides were characterised, SF-50R and SF-50E and contained Ara:Gal:Rha:GalA in 47.8:31.5:10.7:10.0 and 39.6:50.3:5.1:5.0 molar ratios, respectively. Methylation analysis and (13)C NMR spectroscopy indicated that both fractions are constituted by rhamnogalacturonans with type I arabinogalactans as side chains, differing mainly in the proportions of the rhamnogalacturonan backbone, in the length of the (1→4)-ß-galactan chain and in the proportion of the arabinan side chain. Crude water extract (PWH) and fraction SF-50E were evaluated for their gastroprotective properties against ethanol-induced acute gastric lesions in rats. Oral administration of PWH (3 and 10mg/kg) reduced the gastric lesion area by 67±11% and 60±12%, respectively, while fraction SF-50E (10 and 30mg/kg) inhibited the lesion area by 84±12% and 83±12%, respectively. These results indicated that prune's polysaccharides act as gastroprotective agents in rats.

Luis Prunés Risetti: un gran maestro de la dermatología chilena: su biografía y archivo fotográfico / Luis Prunés Risetti: a great master of Chilean dermatology: his biography and photo archive

El doctor Luis Prunés fue uno de los grandes maestros de la dermatología chilena. Se formó como dermatólogo en el hospital Saint-Louis en París. En la década 1920 ingresó al Hospital San Luis de Santiago y en 1938 asumió como profesor titular de la cátedra “Clínica Universitaria de Piel y Sífilis” del Hospital San Vicente de Paul. En 1938 fue el primer presidente de la Sociedad Chilena de Dermato-sifilología. Fue un gran investigador de patologías cutáneas; estudió principalmente la lepra y las lesiones cutáneas asociadas a minerales. Es recordado por preconizar la importancia de la biopsia cutánea. Jubiló en 1954 dejándonos un importante legado dermatológico. El Dr. Prunés recopiló sus mejores casos en más de 20archivos fotográficos, los cuales se encuentran en la biblioteca del Departamento de Dermatología del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar parte de su archivo fotográfico, mostrando imágenes impresionantes de tumores cutáneos y lesiones cutáneas inducidas por arsénico.

Dr. Luis Prunés is one of the masters of the Chilean dermatology. He was trained as dermatologist at the Saint-Louis hospital in Paris. Since 1920 he worked as dermatologist at the San Luis Hospital in Santiago and in 1938 he took over as Professor and Chairman of the “University Clinic of Skin and Syphilis” at San Vicente de Paul Hospital. In 1938, he was the first president of the Chilean Society of Dermatology. He studied leprosy and skin lesions associated with minerals. He is also remembered for advocating the importance of skin biopsy. He retired in 1954, leaving an important legacy. Dr. Prunés compiled his best clinical cases in more than 20 photographic archives, which are located at the Library of the Dermatology Department in the University of Chile Clinical Hospital. The purpose of this paper is to present part of his photographic archive, showing stunning images of large cutaneous tumors and arsenic-induced skin lesions.

Matéria seca e produção de grãos de Crotalaria juncea L. submetida à poda e adubação fosfatada

Green manure studies have shown a great potential for soil recuperation, the Crotalaria being a very efficient crop in producing residues and fixing nitrogen. This experiment was carried out on a Typic Hapludox, in Selvíria, MS, Brazil, with the objective of evaluating the effects of phosphate fertilization in relation to the pruning of Crotalaria juncea L., at the height of 100 cm, in order to obtain an increase of the production of dry matter and seeds. The used design consisted of randomized blocks, in a fatorial outline 5x2, with four replicates. The five P2O5 levels were 0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg ha-1. The pruning was performed 60 days after plants emerged. Forthnightly the height of plants, vegetative covering, green and dry matter weight plant quantity, diameter of the stem and the number of branches of 10 plants were evaluated. The analysis of the physiologic quality of the seeds was performed through a germination test, accelerated aging, physical purity, and weight of 1000 seeds. With pruning and phosphate fertilization, do not were modify and the dry matter and yield of Crotalaria juncea L. were not altered, but only the seed physiologic quality.

O estudo dos adubos verdes tem demonstrado um grande potencial na recuperação da produtividade do solo, e dentre as diversas leguminosas usadas como adubo verde, a Crotalária mostra-se muito eficiente como produtora de massa vegetal e como fixadora de nitrogênio. Este experimento foi realizado em um LATOSSOLO VERMELHO Distrófico (LVd), em Selvíria, MS, com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da adubação fosfatada e da poda em Crotalaria juncea L. na altura de 100 cm, na produtividade de matéria seca e sementes. O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 5x2 com quatro repetições. As cinco doses de P2O5 foram 0, 60, 120, 180 e 240 kg ha-1. A poda foi realizada aos 60 dias após a emergência de plântulas. Avaliaram-se quinzenalmente a altura de plantas, a cobertura vegetal, a quantidade de matéria verde e seca das plantas, o diâmetro do caule das plantas, o número de ramos de 10 plantas. A análise da qualidade fisiológica das sementes foi realizada: teste de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, pureza física, massa de 1000 sementes. Com a poda e a adubação fosfatada, não foi alterada a produção de matéria seca nem a de grãos de Crotalaria juncea L., mas apenas a qualidade fisiológica das sementes.

Matéria seca e produção de grãos de Crotalaria juncea L. submetida à poda e adubação fosfatada

Green manure studies have shown a great potential for soil recuperation, the Crotalaria being a very efficient crop in producing residues and fixing nitrogen. This experiment was carried out on a Typic Hapludox, in Selvíria, MS, Brazil, with the objective of evaluating the effects of phosphate fertilization in relation to the pruning of Crotalaria juncea L., at the height of 100 cm, in order to obtain an increase of the production of dry matter and seeds. The used design consisted of randomized blocks, in a fatorial outline 5x2, with four replicates. The five P2O5 levels were 0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 kg ha-1. The pruning was performed 60 days after plants emerged. Forthnightly the height of plants, vegetative covering, green and dry matter weight plant quantity, diameter of the stem and the number of branches of 10 plants were evaluated. The analysis of the physiologic quality of the seeds was performed through a germination test, accelerated aging, physical purity, and weight of 1000 seeds. With pruning and phosphate fertilization, do not were modify and the dry matter and yield of Crotalaria juncea L. were not altered, but only the seed physiologic quality.

O estudo dos adubos verdes tem demonstrado um grande potencial na recuperação da produtividade do solo, e dentre as diversas leguminosas usadas como adubo verde, a Crotalária mostra-se muito eficiente como produtora de massa vegetal e como fixadora de nitrogênio. Este experimento foi realizado em um LATOSSOLO VERMELHO Distrófico (LVd), em Selvíria, MS, com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da adubação fosfatada e da poda em Crotalaria juncea L. na altura de 100 cm, na produtividade de matéria seca e sementes. O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, em esquema fatorial 5x2 com quatro repetições. As cinco doses de P2O5 foram 0, 60, 120, 180 e 240 kg ha-1. A poda foi realizada aos 60 dias após a emergência de plântulas. Avaliaram-se quinzenalmente a altura de plantas, a cobertura vegetal, a quantidade de matéria verde e seca das plantas, o diâmetro do caule das plantas, o número de ramos de 10 plantas. A análise da qualidade fisiológica das sementes foi realizada: teste de germinação, envelhecimento acelerado, pureza física, massa de 1000 sementes. Com a poda e a adubação fosfatada, não foi alterada a produção de matéria seca nem a de grãos de Crotalaria juncea L., mas apenas a qualidade fisiológica das sementes.