First Report of Bacterial Pineapple Heart Rot Caused by Dickeya zeae in Puerto Rico.

In Puerto Rico, the agricultural production of pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) comprises nearly 5,000 tons harvested annually from over 250 ha (USDA 2018). With an annual income of approximately $3 million USD, pineapple ranks fourth in importance among Puerto Rican crops (USDA 2018). Recently, the pineapple industry on the island underwent a change from growing a local cultivar known as "Cabezona" to cultivar MD2, introduced from Hawaii around 1996 (SEA 2015), because this cultivar produces fruit more than once during a single growing season. In August 2018 (when the rainy season normally starts in Puerto Rico), soft rot symptoms appeared at commercial fields in Manatí (WGS 84 Lat 18.42694, Lng -66.44779) and persisted through 2019. Symptoms observed in the field included foliar water-soaked lesions with gas-filled blisters, especially at the base of the leaf. Leaves exhibited brown discoloration and a fetid odor (rot) at the basal portion of the plant. Finally, leaves collapsed at the center of the pineapple crown, effectively killing the apex and preventing the fruit from developing. Disease incidence ranged from 25% to 40% depending on the weather and season; when there was more rain, there was higher disease incidence. Symptomatic leaves were collected in February 2019, disinfected with 70% ethanol, and rinsed with sterile distilled water. Tissue sections (5mm2) were placed in nutrient agar. Bacterial colony-forming units (CFU) were a translucent cream color, circular, with a flat convex surface and wavy edge. Biochemical analysis showed that bacteria were Gram-negative, oxidase positive, catalase positive, and facultatively anaerobic. Pathogenicity was tested on leaves of one-and-a-half-year-old pineapple seedlings in humid chambers. Bacteria were grown on sterile nutrient agar for 3 days at 25 ± 2°C. Inoculation assays (three replications) were performed using 1X108 CFU/ml of bacteria suspended in sterile water and applied with a cotton swab to leaves wounded with a needle. The inoculated tissue was incubated at 28°C and kept in a dark environment. Negative controls were inoculated with sterile water. Five days after inoculation, foliar water-soaked lesions were observed, followed by the formation of brown leaf tissue and gas-filled blisters, the same symptoms observed in the field. A partial DNA sequence of the 16S rRNA gene of the bacterial isolate and the re-isolated bacteria were amplified using primers 27F and 1492R (Lane et al. 1985) and sequenced. The isolate was determined to the genus Dickeya through a BLAST® search against sequences available in the database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). This partial 16S rRNA sequence of the bacterial isolate was deposited in GenBank® at NCBI (Accession no. MT672704). To determine the identity of the Dickeya species, we sequenced the genes dnaA, gyrB, dnaX, and recN (Marrero et al. 2013) for the bacterial isolate (GenBank accession nos. OM276852, OM276853, OM276854, and OM276855) and conducted a Multilocus Sequence Analysis including reference Dickeya sequences of Marrero et al., 2013. The Phylogenetic analysis (using WinClada) resolved the Puerto Rican isolate as belonging to a clade broadly ascribable to D. zeae, most closely related to strains isolated from earlier Hawaiian pineapple bacterial heart rot outbreaks. Dickeya zeae was responsible for bacterial heart rot of pineapple in Malaysia and was later reported as the causal agent for outbreaks in Costa Rica and Hawaii (Kaneshiro et al. 2008; Sueno et al. 2014; Ramachandran et al. 2015). D. zeae had not previously been reported as causing bacterial heart rot in pineapples in Puerto Rico and this study points to a close relationship with strains first detected in Hawaii and which should further be explored to determine the precise nature of this relationship. This information should facilitate the adoption of effective control measures for this disease on the island, promote more effective methods of preventing future introductions of pathogens, and encourage further investigations into the occurrence of D. zeae on the island.

Aplicación de las propiedades nutracéuticas y estabilizantes del mesocarpio y exocarpio del maracuyá en la obtención de una bebida natural de chinola-piña / Application of the nutraceutical and stabilizing properties of the passion fruit mesocarp and exocarp in obtaining a natural passion fruit-pineapple drink

Introducción: este estudio consistió en el desarrollo de una bebida natural de maracuyá-piña, utilizando el exocarpio, mesocarpio y endocarpio del maracuyá como estabilizante y enriquecedor nutritivo de la bebida, convirtiéndolo así en un producto nutracéutico. El mesocarpio del maracuyá puede ser aprovechado por los macronutrientes y micronutrientes que contiene, por sus pigmentos, y por el contenido de varios nutrientes con propiedades terapéuticas. Material y método: para lograr este objetivo se prepararon pulpas especiales tratadas con biomoléculas que permiten desagregar el material vegetal del cual están compuestas las frutas dejando disponible todos los nutrientes que contiene. Resultado: de este proceso se obtuvo un jugo estable en su turbidez con un color y olor bastante acentuado, relacionado con las frutas que fueron utilizadas en la investigación. Además, se obtuvo un jugo en donde los nutrientes y moléculas bioactivas atrapadas en el mesocarpio y en el pericarpio de la fruta ahora están disponibles para su inmediata absorción en el organismo humano. Conclusión: el producto tratado con biocatalizador presentó mayor estabilidad y mayores propiedades nutracéuticas que el jugo sin ese tratamiento.

Introduction: This study consisted in the development of a natural passion fruit-pineapple drink, taking advantage of the exocarp, mesocarp and endocarp of the passion fruit in the process as stabilizer and nutritive enrichment of the drink, thus turning it into a nutraceutical product. The mesocarp of the passion fruit can be used for the macronutrients and micronutrients it contains, for its pigments, and for the content of various nutrients with therapeutic properties. Material and methods: To achieve this objective, special pulps treated with biomolecules were prepared that allow the disaggregation of the plant material of which the fruits are composed, leaving all the nutrients it contains available. Result: As a result of this process, a stable juice was obtained in its turbidity with a fairly accentuated color and smell, related to the fruits that were used in the research. In addition, a juice was obtained where the nutrients and bioactive molecules trapped in the mesocarp and in the pericarp of the fruit are now available for immediate absorption in the human body. In conclusion, the product treated with a biocatalyst presented greater stability and higher nutraceutical properties than the juice without this treatment

A Condensation Effort: Pina, Lacan, and a Matter of Writing / Um Esforço de Condansação: Pina, Lacan e uma Questão de Escrita

Abstract The present article intends to articulate the notion of letter as littoral, as forged by Jacques Lacan in his textLituraterre, with the German artist and coreographer Pina Bausch's dances and plays. We go from the signifier to the letter in Lacan's teachings and proceed with an analysis of the creative process of Pina Bausch's works, aiming to that which seems to present itself as having no sense, as something out of language's reach; out of what one can say and tell within a field of multiple meanings. Thus, we intend to sew those psychoanalytic concepts to the fragments appearing in Bausch's productions in order to achieve a further grasping and understanding of the concept of letter in Lacan.

Resumo A proposta deste artigo é aproximar a noção de letra como litoral, tal como forjada por Jacques Lacan em seu texto Lituraterra (1971/2003), das danças/montagens da artista e coreógrafa alemã, Pina Bausch. Para tal, constrói-se um percurso do significante à letra no ensino de Lacan, bem como uma análise do processo criativo das montagens de Pina, visando ao que parece se apresentar ali como fora de sentido; fora do que a linguagem pode recobrir, do que se pode dizer e produzir significações. Assim, pretende-se fazer uma costura entre os referidos conceitos psicanalíticos e os fragmentos que se apresentam nas produções bauschianas, a fim de encontrar um recurso possível de transmissão sobre a letra.

Comparative study with dry crude extracts of Ananas comosus L. Merril using LC50 and erythrocyte osmotic fragility as toxicity parameters / Estudio comparativo con extractos crudos secos de Ananas comosus L. Merril utilizando CL50 y fragilidad osmótica eritrocitaria como parámetros de toxicidad

Ananas comosus, conocido popularmente como piña, tiene una anatomía de planta bien definida y numerosos fitoquí­micos farmacológicamente activos. Algunos de éstos son responsables del potencial antimicrobiano de la especie, que ha sido ampliamente estudiado dada la resistencia bacteriana a los antibióticos actualmente utilizados. Teniendo esto en cuenta, se define que la característica principal de un medicamento es la ausencia de efectos tóxicos, por lo tanto, es necesario buscar datos sobre la toxicidad de A. comosus, colaborando para su posible uso como fármaco. Comparando extractos hidroalcohólicos de las hojas de la corona, cáscara y pulpa de la infrutescencia, fue posible determinar que los tres extractos probados no son tóxicos, siendo el de menor toxicidad para Artemia salina Leach (extracto de hojas con CL50 igual a 994 μg/mL) y a sangre de cordero (extracto de pulpa con porcentaje de hemólisis igual a 0,83%). Los estudios sobre principios y metodologías similares a los utilizados aquí han encontrado resultados comparables que indican la baja toxicidad de la planta. Estos resultados aportan a las investigaciónes que promueven el uso de la piña como agente fitoterapéutico y reafirman su presencia en el Sistema Único de Salud de Brasil.

Ananas comosus, popularly known as pineapple, has well defined plant anatomy and numerous pharmacologically active phytochemicals. Some of these are responsible for the species antimicrobial potential, which has been widely studied given the bac­terial resistance to the currently used antibiotics. Considering this, it is defined that the main characteristic of a drug is the absence of toxic effects, thus, there is a need to seek data regarding the toxicity of A. comosus, collaborating for its possible use as a drug. Comparing hydroalcoholic extracts from the crown leaves, skin and pulp of the infructescence, it was possible to determine that the three tested extracts are non-toxic, being the one with the lowest toxicity to Artemia salina Leach (leaves extract with LC50 equal to 994 μg/mL) and to lamb's blood (pulp extract with percentage of haemolysis equal to 0.83%). Studies concerning principles and methodologies similar to those used here have found comparable results stating the low toxicity of the plant. These results contribute to the research that promotes the use of pineapple as a phytotherapeutic agent and reaffirms its presence in the Brazilian Unified Health System.

Effects of different agricultural systems on soil quality in Northern Limón province, Costa Rica / Efectos de sistemas agrícolas diferentes sobre calidad de suelos en el norte de la provincia de Limón, Costa Rica

Conversion of native rainforest ecosystems in Limón Province of Costa Rica to banana and pineapple monoculture has led to reductions in biodiversity and soil quality. Agroforestry management of cacao (Theobroma cacao) is an alternative system that may maintain the agricultural livelihood of the region while more closely mimicking native ecosystems. This study compared physical, biological and chemical soil quality indicators of a cacao plantation under organic agroforestry management with banana, pineapple, and pasture systems; a native forest nearby served as a control. For bulk density and earthworm analysis, 18 samples were collected between March and April 2012 from each ecosystem paired with 18 samples from the cacao. Cacao had a lower bulk density than banana and pineapple monocultures, but greater than the forest (p<0.05). Cacao also hosted a greater number and mass of earthworms than banana and pineapple (p<0.05), but similar to forest and pasture. For soil chemical characteristics, three composite samples were collected in March 2012 from each agroecosystem paired with three samples from the cacao plantation. Forest and pineapple ecosystems had the lowest pH, cation exchange capacity, and exchangeable nutrient cations, while cacao had the greatest (p<0.05). Total nutrient levels of P and N were slightly greater in banana, pineapple and pasture than in cacao; probably related to addition of chemical fertilizer and manure from cattle grazing. Forest and cacao also had greater %C, than other ecosystems, which is directly related to soil organic matter content (p<0.0001). Overall, cacao had more favorable physical, biological and chemical soil characteristics than banana and pineapple monocultures, while trends were less conclusive compared to the pastureland. While organic cacao was inferior to native forest in some soil characteristics such as bulk density and organic carbon, its soil quality did best mimic that of the native forest. This supports the organic cultivation of cacao as a desirable alternative to banana and pineapple monoculture. Rev. Biol. Trop. 62 (3): 887-897. Epub 2014 September 01.

Muchos de los ecosistemas boscosos naturales de la provincia de Limón, Costa Rica, se han convertido en monocultivos de banano y piña, lo que ha reducido la biodiversidad y la calidad de los suelos. El manejo agroforestal del cacao (Theobroma cacao) es un sistema alternativo, que puede generar ingresos para los agricultores de la región mientras imita mejor los ecosistemas nativos. En esta investigación se compararon los indicadores físicos, biológicos, y químicos de la calidad del suelo en un cacaotal orgánico y agroforestal, una plantación bananera, una piñera, un potrero y un bosque natural. En general, el suelo del cacaotal tuvo características físicas, biológicas y químicas mejores que los monocultivos de banano y piña, mientras las tendencias en comparación con el potrero fueron menos marcadas. Aunque algunas características del suelo en el cacaotal orgánico, como densidad y cantidad de carbono, fueron inferiores al bosque nativo, la calidad del suelo en el cacaotal imitó mejor la del bosque nativo. Los resultados de esta investigación apoyan el cultivo de cacao como una alternativa deseable al monocultivo de banano y piña.

Propiedades funcionales de harinas altas en fibra dietética obtenidas de piña, guayaba y guanábana / Functional properties of starches with high dietetic fiber content obtained from pineapple, guava and soursop / Propriedades funcionais de farinhas altas em fibra dietética obtidas de abacaxi, goiaba e graviola

Se compararon las propiedades funcionales de las harinas de altos contenidos de fibra (13,65-65,64%) obtenidas de guanábana, guayaba y piña deshidratadas, con una fibra comercial (Vitacel®) para evaluar su potencial uso en alimentos. La absorción de agua en las harinas (457-525%) fue superior que en el producto comercial (425%); no obstante, la capacidad de absorción de aceite de las harinas (156-195%) fue menor en relación al Vitacel® (286%). Las harinas de guanábana y guayaba presentaron propiedades emulsificantes, siendo mayores en agua que en NaCl 1M. La harina de guayaba, dada sus propiedades funcionales, puede ser utilizada como saborizante en productos tales como el yogurt firme; la harina de piña, por sus propiedades de hidratación y aroma, puede ser recomendada en la elaboración de galletas; mientras que la harina de guanábana, por las propiedades emulsificantes y su agradable aroma y sabor, pudiera ser utilizada en la formulación de helados. Las propiedades funcionales y el alto contenido de fibra que presentan estas harinas permiten su uso como ingrediente en la elaboración de postres.

The functional properties of dehydrated soursop, guava and pineapple high fiber content (13.65-65.64%) flours were compared with a commercial fiber (Vitacel®) to assess their potential use in foods. The water absorption of fruit flours (457-525%) was higher than in the commercial product (425%) but the oil absorption was lower (156-195%) than Vitacel® (286%). Guava and soursop flours presented properties of emulsifiers, being greater in water than in NaCl 1M. The guava flour, given its functional properties, can be used as a flavoring agent in various products such as firm yogurt; the pineapple flour, for its hydration properties and flavor, can be recommended in the preparation of crackers; and soursop flour, due to its emulsifier properties and pleasant flavor, could be used in making ice cream. The functional properties and the high fiber content of these flours permit their use as ingredients in desserts.

Compararam-se as propriedades funcionais das farinhas de altos conteúdos de fibra (13,65-65,64%) obtidas de graviola, goiaba e abacaxi desidratadas, com uma fibra comercial (Vitacel®) para avaliar seu potencial de uso em alimentos. A absorção de água nas farinhas (457-525%) foi superior ao do produto comercial (425%); no entanto, a capacidade de absorção de óleo das farinhas (156-195%) foi menor em relação ao Vitacel® (286%). As farinhas de graviola e goiaba apresentaram propriedades emulsificantes, sendo maiores em agua que em NaCl 1M. A farinha de goiaba, por suas propriedades funcionais, pode ser utilizada como saborizante em produtos tais como o yogurt firme; a farinha de abacaxi, por suas propriedades de hidratação e aroma, pode ser recomendada na elaboração de biscoitos; enquanto que a farinha de graviola, pelas propriedades emulsificantes e seu agradável aroma e sabor, poderia ser utilizada na formulação de sorvetes. As propriedades funcionais e o alto conteúdo de fibra que apresentan estas farinhas permitem seu uso como ingrediente na elaboração de sobremesas.

Carta de Pina Manique: tourettismo, desabafo sarcástico ou folclore?: nota histórica / Pina Manique's letter: tourettism, sarcastic way ofletting off steam, or folklore?: historical note

O objetivo principal desta Nota visa comentar o conteúdo de uma curiosa carta supostamente escrita em 1795 pelo controvertido português Diogo Inácio da Pina Manique e endereçada ao Duque de Cadaval, cujo estilo escatológico sugere tourettismo entre outras possibilidades.

The main objective of this Note is to discuss a letter supposedly written in 1795 by a controversial Portuguese, Diogo Inácio Pina Manique, addressed to the Duke of Cadaval, whose coprographic style suggests some possibilities including tourettism.

Thlastocoris laetus Mayr, 1866 (hemiptera: coreidae: acanthocerini) nueva plaga de la piña

Thlastocoris laetus (Hemiptera: Coreidae) es por primera vez señalado como plaga de la piña para la Amazonia brasileña y peruana comentando los daños que ocasiona. Se presenta la caracterización morfológica de esta especie, comparandola con Lybindus dichrous que también es reconocido como plaga de la piña en el Brasil. La distribución geográfica de ambas especies es citada.

Thlastocoris laetus (Hemiptera: Coreidae) is reported for the first time as a pest of pineapple in Brazilian and Peruvian Amazon forest. The damages are commented. The species is characterized and compared with Lybindus dichrous, another coreidbug pest of pineapple in Brazil. The geographical distribution of the two species is reported.

Thlastocoris laetus (Hemiptera: Coreidae) é assinalado pela primeira vez como praga do abacaxi na Amazonia brasileira e peruana. Os prejuízos ocasionados são comentados. É apresentada a caracterização morfológica dessa espécie comparando-a com Lybindus dichrous, conhecida praga do abacaxi no Brasil. A distribuição geográfica dessas duas espécies é apresentada.

Thlastocoris laetus Mayr, 1866 (hemiptera: coreidae: acanthocerini) nueva plaga de la piña

Thlastocoris laetus (Hemiptera: Coreidae) es por primera vez señalado como plaga de la piña para la Amazonia brasileña y peruana comentando los daños que ocasiona. Se presenta la caracterización morfológica de esta especie, comparandola con Lybindus dichrous que también es reconocido como plaga de la piña en el Brasil. La distribución geográfica de ambas especies es citada.

Thlastocoris laetus (Hemiptera: Coreidae) is reported for the first time as a pest of pineapple in Brazilian and Peruvian Amazon forest. The damages are commented. The species is characterized and compared with Lybindus dichrous, another coreidbug pest of pineapple in Brazil. The geographical distribution of the two species is reported.

Thlastocoris laetus (Hemiptera: Coreidae) é assinalado pela primeira vez como praga do abacaxi na Amazonia brasileira e peruana. Os prejuízos ocasionados são comentados. É apresentada a caracterização morfológica dessa espécie comparando-a com Lybindus dichrous, conhecida praga do abacaxi no Brasil. A distribuição geográfica dessas duas espécies é apresentada.