Tree Physiological Variables as a Proxy of Heavy Metal and Platinum Group Elements Pollution in Urban Areas.

Physiological variables (the content of chlorophyll, flavonoids and nitrogen, together with F/F) and the content of ten heavy metals (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, V and Zn) and two platinum group elements (PGEs: Pd and Rh) were measured in the leaves of 50 individuals of trees regularly distributed in the city of Logroño (Northern Spain). Three of these variables increased with increasing physiological vitality (chlorophyll, nitrogen and F/F), whereas flavonoids increased in response to different abiotic stresses, including pollution. Our aim was to test their adequacy as proxies for the pollution due to heavy metals and PGEs.

To What Extent Are the Effects of UV Radiation on Grapes Conserved in the Resulting Wines?

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation strongly influences grape composition, but only a few studies have focused on how this influence is conserved in the resulting wines. Here we analyzed to what extent the changes induced by exposing Tempranillo grapes to UV radiation from budbreak to harvest were conserved in wine. By using different cut-off filters and lamps, we differentiated the effects of ambient levels of UV-A and UV-B wavelengths, as well as the effects of a realistic UV-B enhancement associated with climate change.

Secondary metabolites and related genes in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Tempranillo grapes as influenced by ultraviolet radiation and berry development.

The effects of UV radiation on Vitis vinifera cv Tempranillo grapes were studied under field conditions as influenced by ultraviolet (UV) band (UV-A and UV-B), UV-B level (ambient vs enhanced), grape phenological stage (pea-size, veraison, and harvest), grape component (skin, flesh, and seeds), and fraction from which phenolic UV-absorbing compounds (UVACs) were extracted (soluble vs insoluble). Ambient UV-B levels caused stronger effects than ambient UV-A. These effects included increases in flavonol contents (particularly quercetins and kaempferols), the expression of flavonol synthase and chalcone synthase genes (VvFLS4 and VvCHS1), and grape weight and size.

Developmental Stage Determines the Accumulation Pattern of UV-Absorbing Compounds in the Model Liverwort subsp. under Controlled Conditions.

The liverwort subsp. is an emerging model plant, and some data are available on its responses to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. However, it is unknown if the developmental stage of the thalli modulates the effects of UV radiation on the contents of potentially protecting phenolic compounds.

Phenolic characteristics acquired by berry skins of Vitis vinifera cv. Tempranillo in response to close-to-ambient solar ultraviolet radiation are mostly reflected in the resulting wines.

Background: It is widely recognized that ambient levels of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation strongly influence the phenolic composition of grape skins. However, it is unknown to what extent this influence is reflected in the resulting wines.

Results: Tempranillo grapevines were exposed or non-exposed to close-to-ambient solar UV levels using appropriate filters, and the phenolic profiles and antioxidant capacity of both grape skins and the resulting wines were analyzed.

Photosynthetically-active radiation, UV-A and UV-B, causes both common and specific damage and photoprotective responses in the model liverwort Marchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalis.

We studied the effects of different radiation treatments on the physiology and UV-absorbing compounds of the model liverwort Marchantia polymorpha subsp. ruderalis. Starting from gemmae, samples were exposed to five radiation treatments: low photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), low PAR+ UV-A, low PAR + UV-B, low PAR + UV-A + UV-B, and high PAR.

Effects of ambient solar UV radiation on grapevine leaf physiology and berry phenolic composition along one entire season under Mediterranean field conditions.

In the present study we assessed the effects of ambient solar UV exclusion on leaf physiology, and leaf and berry skin phenolic composition, of a major grapevine cultivar (Tempranillo) grown under typically Mediterranean field conditions over an entire season. In general, the effects of time were stronger than those of UV radiation. Ambient UV caused a little stressing effect (eustress) on leaf physiology, with decreasing net photosynthesis rates and stomatal conductances.

Spatial variability of ultraviolet-absorbing compounds in an aquatic liverwort and their usefulness as biomarkers of current and past UV radiation: a case study in the Atlantic-Mediterranean transition.

The spatial variability of ultraviolet-absorbing compounds (UVACs) in the freshwater liverwort Jungermannia exsertifolia subsp. cordifolia was studied in mid-latitudes (the Atlantic-Mediterranean transition) across a wide lati-altitudinal gradient, with the aim of testing the usefulness of UVACs as biomarkers of current ambient levels of UV radiation. We analysed 17 samples from streams located in the main mountain ranges of the Iberian Peninsula, differentiating methanol-soluble (SUVACs, mainly located in the vacuoles) and methanol-insoluble (IUVACs, bound to cell walls) compounds, since they represent different manners to cope with UV radiation.

Dynamic response of UV-absorbing compounds, quantum yield and the xanthophyll cycle to diel changes in UV-B and photosynthetic radiations in an aquatic liverwort.

We studied the diel responses of the liverwort Jungermannia exsertifolia subsp. cordifolia to radiation changes under laboratory conditions. The samples were exposed to three radiation regimes: P (only PAR), PA (PAR+UV-A), and PAB (PAR+UV-A+UV-B).