Induction of tomato plant biochemical immune responses by the synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles against wilt-induced Fusarium oxysporum / Inducción de respuestas inmunes bioquímicas de la planta de tomate mediante nanopartículas de óxido de zinc sintetizadas contra Fusarium oxysporum inducido por la marchitez

The current study used zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) to protect the tomato plant against Fusarium wilt. Gamma rays were used to synthesize ZnO-NPs, and the designed ZnO-NPs were characterized using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis.) spectroscopy. We found that the 20 kGy dose is the most effective for ZnO-NPs synthesis, with the highest O.D. = 1.65 (diluted 3 times) at 400 nm. The scale of ZnO-NPs ranged from 10.45 to 75.25 nm with an average diameter of 40.20 nm. The results showed that the designed ZnO-NPs showed promising activity as a potent inducer of plant physiological immunity against Fusarium wilt disease. Likewise, ZnO-NPs significantly reduced the wilt disease symptoms incidence by 28.57% and high protection by 67.99% against F. oxysporum. Additionally, infected tomato plants treated with ZnO-NPs show improved shoot length (44.71%), root length (40.0%), number of leaves (60.0 %), chlorophyll a (36.93%), chlorophyll b (16.46%), and carotenoids (21.87%) versus infected plants. Notably, in the treatment of tomato seedlings, the beneficial effects of ZnO-NPs extended to increase not only in osmolyte contents but also total phenol contents in comparison with control plants. In conclusion, the designed ZnO-NPs can control Fusarium wilt disease and improve and develop biochemical compounds responsible for defense against fusarial infection.(AU)

Behavior of alfa-tomatine and tomatidine against several genera of trypanosomatids from insects and plants and Trypanosoma cruzi / Comportamento de alfa-tomatina e tomatidina contra vários gêneros de tripanossomatídeos de insetos e plantas e Trypanosoma cruzi

Glycoalkaloids are important secondary metabolites accumulated by plants as protection against pathogens. One of them, α-tomatine, is found in high concentrations in green tomato fruits, while in the ripe fruits, its aglycone form, tomatidine, does not present a protective effect, and it is usual to find parasites of tomatoes like Phytomonas serpens in these ripe fruits. To investigate the sensitivity of trypanosomatids to the action of α-tomatine, we used logarithmic growth phase culture of 20 trypanosomatids from insects and plants and Trypanosoma cruzi. The lethal dose 50% (LD50) was determined by mixing 107 cells of the different isolates with α-tomatine at concentrations ranging from 10-3 to 10-8 M for 30 min at room temperature. The same tests performed with the tomatidine as a control showed no detectable toxicity against the same trypanosomatid cultures. The tests involved determination of the percentage (%) survival of the protozoan cultures in a Neubauer chamber using optical microscopy. The LD50 values varied from 10-4 to 10-6 M α-tomatine. Slight differences were detected among the LD50 values of the analyzed samples, and none of them showed evidence of resistance to the action of tomatinase, as shown by some pathogenic fungi.

Os glicoalcaloides são metabólitos secundários importantes produzidos pelas plantas e estão envolvidos em sua proteção contra agentes patogênicos. Um deles, α-tomatina, é encontrado em altas concentrações em frutos de tomate verde, enquanto que, nos frutos maduros, sua forma aglicona, tomatidina, não apresenta um efeito protetor, sendo comum encontrar parasitas de tomates como Phytomonas serpens nesses frutos maduros. Para investigar a sensibilidade dos tripanossomatídeos à ação da α-tomatina, utilizamos formas de cultura em fase logarítmica de 20 tripanossomatídeos de plantas e insetos e Trypanosoma cruzi. A dose letal 50% (DL50) foi determinada, misturando 107 células das formas de cultura com concentrações de 10-3 a 10-8 M de α-tomatina durante trinta minutos a temperatura ambiente. Testes realizados com a tomatidina como controle não mostraram toxicidade detectável contra os mesmos tripanossomatídeos. Os testes foram avaliados pela porcentagem (%) de sobrevivência das formas de cultura dos protozoários observados por microscopia óptica em câmara de Neubauer. Os resultados da determinação de DL50 mostraram que esta variou entre 10-4 a 10-6 M de α-tomatina. Pequenas diferenças foram observadas entre os valores de DL50 das amostras analisadas, e nenhuma delas mostrou evidência de resistência pela ação da tomatinidase, como demonstrado em alguns fungos patogênicos.

Comparative antifeedant activities of polygodial and pyrethrins against whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) and aphids (Myzus persicae).

BACKGROUND: Polygodial, a sesquiterpene dialdehyde of the drimane family, has been shown to have deterrent and antifeedant effects on various insect species, including Myzus persicae (Sulzer), Spodoptera spp. and Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). This compound may have potential as a broad-spectrum biocontrol agent, similar to pyrethrins, given that it was previously reported to improve yield when sprayed on barley fields. RESULTS: This study compares the deterrent effect of polygodial and pyrethrins against the silverleaf whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) and the green peach aphid M. persicae in dual-choice assays using compound-coated tomato leaf discs. B. tabaci adults were deterred by polygodial at an ED50 (effective dose at which 50% of the insects are deterred) of about 25 µg g(-1) fresh weight (FW), and green peach aphids at about 54 µg g(-1) FW. Bioassays were benchmarked with pyrethrins that had a 20-fold lower ED50 of approximately 1.4 µg g(-1) FW against whiteflies, but only a twofold lower ED50 (about 28 µg g(-1) FW) against peach aphids. Polygodial showed moderate phytotoxic effects (score of 2 on a scale of 1-5) on tomato leaves at concentrations above the ED50 concentrations (≥ 90 µg g(-1) FW). CONCLUSION: The sesquiterpene dialdehyde polygodial is 2-20 times less deterrent than pyrethrins, depending on the insect species, but it could provide a useful complement to pyrethrin sprays as it has a different mode of action, is food grade and has low volatility. However, a formulation that reduces the risks of phytotoxic effects should be developed.

Trace elements and toxic metals in intensively produced tomatoes (lycopersicon esculentum) / Metales traza y metales tóxicos en tomates producidos intensivamente (lycopersicon esculentum)

Introduction: Tomato is considered a healthy food due to its high content in lycopene and other health-promoting natural compounds. Tomatoes have, undoubtedly, assumed the status of a food with functional properties, considering the epidemiological evidence of reducing the risk of certain types of cancers. Objective: Samples of tomatoes from Morocco were analyzed for the mineral composition. Methods: 94 tomato samples from Morocco were analyzed. Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (FAAS) was used to determine essential elements (Copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn)) and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry with Graphite Furnace (GAAS) was used to analyzed cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb). Results: The mean concentrations were 0.17 mg/kg, 0.73 mg/kg, 0.20 mg/kg, 0.44 mg/kg, 7.58 μg/kg and 15.8 μg/kg for Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd and Pb, respectively. The highest contribution to the intakes was observed for Cu (0.67% for adults) while that Zn showed the lowest contribution (0.14% for adult males and 0.20% for adult females). Conclusions: Tomatoes are a good source of essential elements for the diet, mainly iron and zinc. Tomatoes consumption does not significantly affect the intake of heavy metals (AU)

Introducción: El tomate es considerado un alimento saludable debido a su alto contenido en licopeno y otros componentes naturales promotores de salud. Indudablemente, los tomates han asumido el estatus de un alimento con propiedades funcionales, considerando desde un punto de vista epidemiológico reducir ciertos tipos de cánceres Objetivo: Analizar la composición mineral de muestras de tomates de Marruecos. Métodos: 94 muestras de tomates de Marruecos fueron analizadas. Espectrofotometría de Absorción Atómica por llama (FAAS) se usó para determinar elementos esenciales (Cobre (Cu), hierro (Fe), manganeso (Mn) y zinc (Zn) y Espectrofotometría de Absorción Atómica con cámara de grafito (GAAS) se usó para analizar cadmio (Cd) y plomo (Pb). Resultados: Las concentraciones medias fueron 0,17 mg/kg, 0,73 mg/kg, 0,20 mg/kg, 0,44 mg/kg, 7,58 μg/kg and 15,8 μg/kg para Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cd y Pb, respectivamente. La contribución a la ingesta más alta fue observada para el Cu (0,67% para adultos) mientras que el Zn presentó la contribución más baja (0,14% para hombres adultos y 0,20% para mujeres adultas). Conclusión: Los tomates son una buena fuente de elementos esenciales para la dieta, principalmente hierro y zinc. El consumo de tomates no afecta significativamente a la ingesta de metales pesados (AU)

A literature review on the safety assessment of genetically modified plants.

In recent years, there has been a notable concern on the safety of genetically modified (GM) foods/plants, an important and complex area of research, which demands rigorous standards. Diverse groups including consumers and environmental Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) have suggested that all GM foods/plants should be subjected to long-term animal feeding studies before approval for human consumption. In 2000 and 2006, we reviewed the information published in international scientific journals, noting that the number of references concerning human and animal toxicological/health risks studies on GM foods/plants was very limited. The main goal of the present review was to assess the current state-of-the-art regarding the potential adverse effects/safety assessment of GM plants for human consumption. The number of citations found in databases (PubMed and Scopus) has dramatically increased since 2006. However, new information on products such as potatoes, cucumber, peas or tomatoes, among others was not available. Corn/maize, rice, and soybeans were included in the present review. An equilibrium in the number research groups suggesting, on the basis of their studies, that a number of varieties of GM products (mainly maize and soybeans) are as safe and nutritious as the respective conventional non-GM plant, and those raising still serious concerns, was currently observed. Nevertheless, it should be noted that most of these studies have been conducted by biotechnology companies responsible of commercializing these GM plants. These findings suggest a notable advance in comparison with the lack of studies published in recent years in scientific journals by those companies. All this recent information is herein critically reviewed.

Toxicological evaluation of 10% Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill fruit consumption in the diet of growing rats: hematological, biochemical and histopathological effects.

Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill (Solanaceae) is a native shrub very common in the Brazilian savanna. The fruit of this plant contains steroidal glycoalkaloids that may disrupt the endocrine system. Because this plant is employed in folk medicine for the management of diabetes, obesity and decreasing cholesterol levels, the present study determined the possible toxic effects of exposure to S. lycocarpum fruit from weaning (21 days old) until adult age (8 weeks of treatment) in male and female rats. In male rats, the plant reduced weight gain, while few significant differences were observed in female animals. Slight significant differences were observed in food and water consumption and in hematological parameters in treated rats. Reductions in adrenal gland, spleen, heart, kidneys and thymus weights of treated males were observed, while increased relative weights were detected in the heart, epididymises, lungs, seminal vesicles, and testicles. In females, no differences were observed in organ weights and few differences were observed in relative weights of some organs. The histopathologic study showed no alteration between groups. Serum biochemical parameters showed triglyceride reductions in treated animals of both sexes; in females, an increase in albumin and alanine aminotransferase levels and a reduction in total protein levels were noted. The present data therefore demonstrate sex-related differences in S. lycocarpum toxicity.

Hongos filamentosos en la epidermis del fruto del tomate: énfasis en el género Cladosporium link / Filamentous fungi in tomato fruit epidermis: emphasis in the genus Cladosporium Link

El tomate (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) es uno de los frutos importantes en la dieta humana y como todo vegetal posee una variada microbiota epífita asociada ya sea saprofítica, fitopatógena u oportunista acorde a las zonas de cultivo, manejo y distribución de esta solanácea. Se determinó la ocurrencia, distribución e importancia de los hongos filamentosos epífitos de tomates sanos provenientes de ferias libres y locales establecidos en 2 períodos estacionales, entre abril 2008 y enero 2009. Se procesaron un total de 27 muestras (16 en otoño y 11 en invierno) mediante lavado de los frutos con agua destilada estéril, centrifugación y posterior siembra en medio PCA en duplicado. Se detectaron un total de 8288 colonias (ufc por 1 mL), que incluyeron 24 géneros y 34 especies de hongos filamentosos identificados mediante métodos morfofisiológicos (en especial Cladosporium). Se enumeró además la presencia de levaduras blancas, levaduras rosadas (sin identificación genérica) y bacterias (no incluidas en el análisis). Las especies de hongos filamentosos más frecuentes en ambos períodos fueron: Cladosporium cladosporioides (16,91 por ciento) C. sphaerospermum (9,31 por ciento), Geotrichum candidum (4,82 por ciento), Penicillium olsonii (3,51 por ciento) y Fusarium oxysporum (3,11 por ciento). Las levaduras blancas (35,49 por ciento) fueron similares en número a los integrantes del género Cladosporium en otoño, pero mayoritarias sobre este en invierno, mientras las levaduras rosadas (11,66 por ciento) fueron las segundas en importancias después de las especies de Cladosporium en otoño, pero muy inferiores en invierno. Se encontraron algunas diferencias significativas entre las muestras de otoño y las muestras de invierno en los siguientes géneros y/o especies: P. olsonii, C. cladosporioides y Fusarium spp., sin embargo, al comparar locales establecidos y ferias libres no se encontraron diferencias significativas. Se consideraron de interés clínico 11 especies...

Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill) is one of the important fruits designed for human diet and as a vegetal bears an associated and varied epiphytal microbiota, either saprophytic, fitopathogenic or opportunisticdepending on the sites of cultivation, handling and distribution of this solanaceous. The occurrence,distribution and importance of epiphytic filamentous fungi in healthy tomatoes collected from outdoor fairs and established shops were determined in two seasonal periods, within april 2008 and january 2009. Twenty seven samples (16 in fall and 11 in winter) were processed by means of fruit wash in distillate sterile water, centrifugation and further sowing in duplicate PCA medium. An 8288 total of colonies (ufc/1ml) was detected that included 24 genera and 34 species of filamentous fungi identified by means of morphophysiological methods (mainly Cladosporium). Besides the presence of white yeasts, pink yeasts (lacking generic identification) and bacteria (not included in the analysis) was determined. Most frequently occurring species of filamentous fungi, considering both periods were: Cladosporium cladosporioides (16.91 percent), C.sphaerospermu (9.31 percent), Geotrichum candidum (4.82 percent), Penicillium olsonii (3.51 percent) and Fusarium oxysporum (3.11 percent). White yeasts (35.49 percent) were similar in number to those belonging to the genus Cladosporium in fall yet higher than them in winter whereas pinkyeasts (11.66 percent) were in the second place of importance after the species of Cladosporium in fall yet had less importance in winter. Some significant differences were found among fall samples and winter samples in the following genera and/or species: P. olsonii, C. cladosporioides and Fusarium, however no significant differences were found on comparing established shops and outdoorfairs. Eleven species were considered to be of clinical interest in spite of the scarce presence of some of them inthe samples. However our...

Effect of organic tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) extract on the genotoxicity of doxorubicin in the Drosophila wing spot test

The consumption of organic tomatoes (ORTs) reduces the risk of harmful effects to humans and the environment caused by exposure to toxic agrochemicals. In this study, we used the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) of wing spots in Drosophila melanogaster to evaluate the genotoxicity of ORT and the effect of cotreatment with ORT on the genotoxicity of Doxorubicin® (DXR, a cancer chemotherapeutic agent) that is mediated by free radical formation. Standard (ST) cross larvae were treated chronically with solutions containing 25%, 50% or 100% of an aqueous extract of ORT, in the absence and presence of DXR (0.125 mg/mL), and the number of mutant spots on the wings of emergent flies was counted. ORT alone was not genotoxic but enhanced the toxicity of DXR when administered concomitantly with DXR. The ORT-enhanced frequency of spots induced by DXR may have resulted from the interaction of ORT with the enzymatic systems that catalyze the metabolic detoxification of this drug.

Effects of azadirachtin, abamectin, and spinosad on sweetpotato whitefly (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) on tomato plants under laboratory and greenhouse conditions in the humid tropics.

Direct and residual toxicity of NeemAzal-T/S (azadirachtin), Success (spinosad), and abamectin was tested against different life stages of sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae), under air-conditioned laboratory conditions and in a tropical net greenhouse. NeemAzal-T/S and abamectin deterred the settling of adults on tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum Mill (Solanaceae), plants and consequently reduced egg deposition. No such effect was detected for Success. All three pesticides influenced egg hatch. Effects of NeemAzal-T/ S were significantly altered if applied to different-aged eggs (1, 3, and 5 d old). In contrast, abamectin-treated eggs failed to hatch at any given age class. All three products caused heavy mortality of the three nymphal stages of B. tabaci, with the first instars being most susceptible, abamectin-treated nymphs died within 24 h postapplication. In contrast, 100% nymphal mortality with NeemAzal-T/S and Success was reached 6-9 d postapplication. abamectin caused 100% immature mortality at all residue ages (1, 5, 10, and 15 d) in the laboratory and greenhouse as well. Persistence of Success was comparably high in the laboratory, but in the greenhouse a faster decline of activity was evident by increased egg deposition, egg hatch, and reduced rates of immature mortality. Toxicity of NeemAzal-T/S however gradually declined under greenhouse conditions with time (5 d) postapplication. The findings are discussed within the context of integrated management of whitefly under protected cultivation in the humid tropics.

Embryotoxic effects of Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill fruits consumption during preimplantation and organogenesis in rats.

Solanum lycocarpum St. Hill is a common plant in the Brazilian savanna. This plant has an alkaloid with stereospecific configuration to the synthesis of steroid hormones. Since the plant may be consumed by pregnant animals, the present study was undertaken to determine the possible embryotoxic effects of S. lycocarpum fruit ingestion (3% added to the diet) during preimplantation (from the first to the sixth days of gestation) or during organogenesis in rats (from the sixth to the sixteenth days of gestation). Few differences were observed in food and water consumption without biological importance. The placental weight in the group that received the plant during the organogenesis period was decreased. An increase in sternebra abnormalities was observed in animals treated with the plant during organogenesis. Olfactory bulb hemorrhage was increased in the group that received the plant during preimplantation when compared to the control group. These results indicate that consumption of S. lycocarpum at 3% in diet during pregnancy cause slight toxicological effects. Other studies have to be conducted to better investigate the causes of toxicity and other toxic effects of higher levels of exposure to this plant.

Cytotoxic major saponin from tomato fruits.

A major novel steroidal alkaloid glycoside, possessing cytotoxic activity has been isolated from the fruits of Lycopersicon esculentum.

The effect of feeding dried tomato vines to beef cattle.

Dried Tomato vines (DTV) are used as a feedstuff in some beef cattle in Israel, despite the literature citation that tomato vines contain potentially harmful steroid alkaloids. A small-scale feeding trial over 42 d examined possible deleterious effects of feeding DTV, compared with wheat straw, in beef cows. No differences in hematological values, serum parameters for body weight were seen between the 2 groups. Steroid alkaloid content of the DTV was not examined, but toxic levels of nitrates were found. The main practical hazard in feeding DTV would appear to be from their potentially high nitrate content.

Atividade moluscicida de principios ativos de folhas de Lycopersicon esculentum cv. cereja em Biomphalaria glabrata (SAY, 1818) / Moluscucicide activity of the biological activities of the leaves of Lycopersicon esculentum cv. cereja in Biomphalaria glabrata (SAY, 1818)

A partir de po de folhas secas de tomateiro (Lycopersicon esculentum cv. Cereja) foram preparados extratos aquosos e alcoolicos. Por extracao metanolico e precipitacao alcalina, foi obtido um produto que denominamos "glicoalcaloide esteroidal bruto" (GEb), no qual, foi caracterizada a presenca de tomatina. Em ensaios laboratoriais, os extratos aquosos, alcoolicos e o GEb apresentaram atividade moluscicida ('Cl IND.50'=8,01 ppm e 'Cl IND.90'=13,17 ppm), comparavel a atividade da tomatina. Os extratos aquosos e alcoolicos apresentaram atividade sobre miracidios de Schistosoma mansoni. Estes extratos e o GEb apresentaram tambem atividade sobre cercarias de S. mansoni. Desovas de S. mansoni mostraram-se resistentes aos extratos aquosos, alcoolicos e ao GEb. Os niveis de atividade moluscicida apresentados pelos diversos extratos e o GEb, apontam apenas o GEb como candidato para a continuacao dos estudos visando a sua possivel utilizacao em campo