Ecological linkages between biotechnologically relevant autochthonous microorganisms and phenolic compounds in sugar apple fruit (Annona squamosa L.).

Our study investigated the potential of Annona squamosa (L.) fruit as a reservoir of yeasts and lactic acid bacteria having biotechnological implications, and phenolics capable of modifying the ecology of microbial consortia. Only a single species of lactic acid bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis) was identified, while Annona fruit seemed to be a preferred niche for yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Hanseniaspora uvarum), which were differentially distributed in the fruit.

Date Seeds Flour Used as Value-Added Ingredient for Wheat Sourdough Bread: An Example of Sustainable Bio-Recycling.

Our study proposed date seeds flour (DSF) as an innovative ingredient for sourdough bread production through sustainable bio-recycling. We isolated autochthonous lactic acid bacteria and yeasts from DSF and DSF-derived doughs to build up a reservoir of strains from which to select starters ensuring rapid adaptation and high ecological fitness. The screening based on pro-technological criteria led to the formulation of a mixed starter consisting of , , and strains, which allowed obtaining a mature type I sourdough after consecutive refreshments, in which an aliquot of the durum wheat flour (DWF) was replaced by DSF.

Design of potential probiotic yeast starters tailored for making a cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) functional beverage.

We carried out a step-by-step accurate procedure to design yeast starters with probiotic and technological traits to ferment cornelian cherry fruits puree (CP). Pichia kudriavzevii DCNa1 and Wickerhamomyces subpelliculosus DFNb6 were selected as binary starters due to their metabolic traits and low ethanol yield. Fermentation by selected starters positively affected the physical stability of CP.

The exploitation of cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) cultivars and genotypes from Montenegro as a source of natural bioactive compounds.

Cornelian cherry (CC) fruits a source of bioactive compounds that are still being underutilized. In this study, a comprehensive characterization of 11 Montenegrin CC local or introduced genotypes and cultivars collected in the wild or from organic orchards is provided. Their potential utilizations as natural antioxidants, colorants and organic food ingredients were exploited.

Lactic acid fermentation enriches the profile of biogenic fatty acid derivatives of avocado fruit (Persea americana Mill.).

This study investigated the capability of selected autochthonous lactic acid bacteria to enrich the portfolio of bioactive compounds of avocado fruit (Persea americana Mill.), with the perspective of producing dietary supplements or pharmaceutical preparations. Fermented avocado puree resulted in high levels of total free amino acids.

Fermented L. Juice: A Novel Functional Beverage with Potential Ameliorating Effects on the Intestinal Inflammation and Epithelial Injury.

L. contains high level of nutrients and biologically active compounds. Recently, lactic fermentation has been proposed as a biotechnological option to enrich the profile of biogenic compounds of L.

Antimicrobial, antioxidant and sensory features of eugenol, carvacrol and trans-anethole in active packaging for organic ready-to-eat iceberg lettuce.

In this study, bio-based emitting sachets containing eugenol (EUG), carvacrol (CAR) and trans-anethole (ANT) were inserted into cellulose (CE) and polypropylene (PP) pillow packages of organic ready-to-eat (RTE) iceberg lettuce to investigate their functional features. EUG, CAR and ANT sachets in CE; and CAR in PP packages showed antimicrobial activities against coliforms (Δlog CFU g of -1.38, -0.

Biostimulants from food processing by-products: agronomic, quality and metabolic impacts on organic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.).

Background: Biostimulants have recently gained increased attention due to their multiple benefits for sustainable agriculture. In this study, three food processing by-products - fennel processing residues (FPR), lemon processing residues (LPR) and brewer's spent grain (BSG) - were investigated as potential sources of biostimulants. Their aqueous extracts as individual and associated applications were assessed for their effects on agronomic, quality and metabolic performance of organic tomato in comparison to extract of humic substances (HS) and untreated control (CTRL).

Exploitation of Leuconostoc mesenteroides strains to improve shelf life, rheological, sensory and functional features of prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) fruit puree.

Strains of Leuconostoc mesenteroides were identified from raw prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.). Five autochthonous strains were selected based on the kinetics of growth and acidification on prickly pear fruit juice, and the capacity to synthesize exo-polysaccharides.

Correction: Lactic Acid Fermentation of Cactus Cladodes (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) Generates Flavonoid Derivatives with Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Lactic Acid Fermentation of Cactus Cladodes (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) Generates Flavonoid Derivatives with Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties.

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.) is widely distributed in the arid and semi-arid regions throughout the world. In the last decades, the interest towards vegetative crop increased, and cladodes are exploited for nutraceutical and health-promoting properties.

How the Organic Food System Supports Sustainable Diets and Translates These into Practice.

Organic production and consumption provide a delineated food system that can be explored for its potential contribution to sustainable diets. While organic agriculture improves the sustainability performance on the production side, critical reflections are made on how organic consumption patterns, understood as the practice of people consuming significant amounts of organic produce, may also be taken as an example for sustainable food consumption. The consumption patterns of regular organic consumers seem to be close to the sustainable diet concept of FAO.

Organic cultivation of Triticum turgidum subsp. durum is reflected in the flour-sourdough fermentation-bread axis.

Triticum turgidum subsp. durum was grown according to four farming systems: conventional (CONV), organic with cow manure (OMAN) or green manure (OLEG), and without inputs (NOINPUT). Some chemical and technological characteristics differed between CONV and organic flours.

Ptaquiloside in Pteridium aquilinum subsp. aquilinum and corresponding soils from the South of Italy: influence of physical and chemical features of soils on its occurrence.

The bracken fern Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, one of the most common plant species on Earth, produces a wide range of secondary metabolites including the norsesquiterpene glucoside ptaquiloside (PTA). Several studies are present in literature about eco-toxicological aspects related to PTA, whereas results about the effect of growth conditions and soil properties on the production and mobility of PTA are sometimes conflicting and further investigations are needed.

Exploitation of Albanian wheat cultivars: characterization of the flours and lactic acid bacteria microbiota, and selection of starters for sourdough fermentation.

Six Albanian soft and durum wheat cultivars were characterized based on chemical and technological features, showing different attitudes for bread making. Gliadin and glutenin fractions were selectively extracted from flours, and subjected to two-dimensional electrophoresis. Linja 7 and LVS flours showed the best characteristics, and abundance of high molecular weight (HMW)-glutenins.

Exploitation of the health-promoting and sensory properties of organic pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) juice through lactic acid fermentation.

Two strains (POM1 and C2) or LP09 of Lactobacillus plantarum, which were previously isolated from tomatoes and carrots, and another commercial strain of L. plantarum (LP09), were selected to singly ferment (30 °C for 120 h) pomegranate juice (PJ) under standardized protocol. PJs were further stored at 4 °C for 30 days.

Effect of compost and manure amendments on zinc soil speciation, plant content, and translocation in an artificially contaminated soil.

The addition of organic matter in soil can modify the bioavailability of heavy metals. A greenhouse pot experiment was carried out using an edible plant species Eruca vesicaria L. Cavalieri grown on an artificially contaminated soil with Zn (665 mg kg(-1)).

Nematicidal activity of (E,E)-2,4-decadienal and (E)-2-decenal from Ailanthus altissima against Meloidogyne javanica.

Methanol extracts of various plant parts of Ailanthus altissima were tested against the root knot nematode Meloidogyne javanica . Extracts of bark (ABE), wood (AWE), roots (ARE), and leaves (ALE) from A. altissima were investigated against freshly hatched second-stage juveniles (J(2)).

Chemical composition and in vitro activity of plant extracts from Ferula communis and Dittrichia viscosa against postharvest fungi.

F. communis and D. viscosa are perennial Mediterranean weeds that have been used for different therapeutic purposes in traditional pharmacopeia.

Interactions between rotenone and humic acids by means of FT-IR and fluorescence spectroscopies.

The aim of this work was to ascertain, on a comparative basis, the compositional, structural and functional differences occurring between three humic acids (HAs), HA S1 (isolated from a Mediterranean brown soil), HA S2 (isolated from a Bavarian brown soil), and HA SR (a Suwannee River standard aquatic HA, purchased from IHSS), and to investigate the influence of their intrinsic properties on the types of binding mechanisms toward the pesticide rotenone. Original HAs and their corresponding HA-rotenone products, obtained by two different interaction protocols, were analyzed for elemental and functional group composition, and spectroscopic techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared (FT IR) with Fourier self-deconvolution (FSD) and fluorescence both in the single-scan and in three-dimensional modes. The HA S1 sample appeared to be characterized by a greater aromaticity degree and lower polarity with respect to the HA S2, featured by a mixed aromatic/aliphatic character, whereas mainly aliphatic and acidic resulted the HA SR.

Degradation and persistence of rotenone in soils and influence of temperature variations.

The persistence and degradation of rotenone and its primary degradation product 12a beta-hydroxyrotenone in soils were determined under standardized laboratory conditions in the dark at 20 or 10 degrees C and at 40% of water holding capacity. Degradation experiments were carried out on two types of soil collected in southern Italy, a silt clay loam (SCL) and a loamy soil (L). A kinetic model was developed to describe degradation rates of rotenone, taking into account the production, retention, and degradation of the main metabolites.

Photodegradation of rotenone in soils under environmental conditions.

An environmental fate study was performed to analyze the effects of soil components on the photochemical behavior of rotenone. Photodegradation experiments were carried out on three types of soil collected in southern Italy, Valenzano (VAL), Turi (TUR), and Conversano (CON), from April to June 2006. Soil thin-layer plates (1 mm thick) were spiked with 1.