Moldy walnut toxicosis in a dog,caused by the mycotoxin,penitrem A

Penitrem A was found in moldy walnuts that were involved in an intoxication of a dog in California.Penicillium crustosum was isolated from the walnuts and penitrem A was isolated from extracts of the mycelium of this fungus when it was grown on a synthetic medium.     

Coated nuts as an enrichment device to elicit tool use in tufted capuchins (Cebus apella)

The present paper describes a simple technique that hardens the shell of nuts and makes the use of a tool to crack them open more compelling. Walnuts were coated with a dough of sawdust and nontoxic white glue in different combinations; they were tested for hardness by using machines normally used to test different kinds of wood. Data on relative hardness for uncoated walnuts and walnuts coated with dough of two different combinations are presented. The coated walnuts were significantly harder to break than the uncoated ones, whereas no significant difference was found when comparing the hardness of two types of coated walnuts. Furthermore, observations on a captive group of tufted capuchins (Cebus apella) are described. The monkeys needed significantly more time to break open the coated walnuts. Early results show that coated walnuts may favor acquistion of tool use skills in a juvenile capuchin.     

Purification and characterization of the extracellular and cell-bound lipases from a Penicillium cyclopium variety

Summary A new strain of Penicillium cyclopium was found on mouldy Grenoble walnuts. From the culture filtrate, two new extracellular lipases (A- and B-lipase) were isolated and characterized. The mycelium contained one of the two forms of lipase (B-lipase). The specificity of the cell-bound lipase linked to the mycelium was then studied. The enzyme was specific to shortchain homogeneous triacylglycerols; it preferred to attack the o-position rather than the p-position, and showed stereospecificity on the sn-1 position. Correspondence to: L.-C. Comeau     

Aspergillus on tree nuts: incidence and associations

California exports tree nuts to countries where they face stringent standards for aflatoxin contamination. Trade concerns have stimulated efforts to eliminate aflatoxins and Aspergillus flavus from almonds, pistachios and walnuts. Incidence of fungi on tree nuts and associations among fungi on tree nuts were studied. Eleven hundred pistachios, almonds, walnuts and brazil nuts without visible insect damage were plated on salt agar and observed for growth of fungi. Samples came both from California nut orchards and from supermarkets. To distinguish internal fungal colonization of nuts from superficial colonization, half the nuts were surface-sterilized before plating. The most common genera found were Aspergillus , Rhizopus and Penicillium . Each species of nut had a distinct mycoflora. Populations of most fungi were reduced by surface sterilization in all except brazil nuts, suggesting that they were present as superficial inoculum on (rather than in) the nuts. In general, strongly positive associations were observed among species of Aspergillus ; nuts infected by one species were likely to be colonized by other species as well. Presence of Penicillium was negatively associated with A. niger and Rhizopus in some cases. Results suggest that harvest or postharvest handling has a major influence on nut mycoflora, and that nuts with fungi are usually colonized by several fungi rather than by single species. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Improved walnut-feeding skills with experience in wood mice, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apodemus speciosus</Emphasis>

The wood mouse Apodemus speciosus can consume the hard-walled walnut species Juglans ailanthifolia. The mice gnaw holes on two sides of the shell and then pick the meat from the holes. However, not all mice are able to eat these walnuts, because the shells are extremely hard and the process is labour-intensive. To consume all of the meat it is more efficient to eat from holes on the raphe than to attempt to eat from other parts of the shell. We examined the effect of experience on the walnut-feeding skills of mice in the field. Feeding behaviours were compared among mice from habitats with and without walnut trees. Mice from habitats with walnut trees tended to consume nuts more efficiently than mice from habitats without walnut trees. We also observed the feeding behaviour of mice in an experimental area into which walnuts were artificially placed over a period of one year. This manipulation increased the proportion of mice that were able to eat nuts frequently and efficiently. Therefore, the walnut-feeding skills of mice improved with experience. Because individual mice acquired efficient feeding during the 14-day period of walnut conditioning, trial-and-error learning may be an important mechanism contributing to this behaviour.     

Changes in the gut microbial communities following addition of walnuts to the diet

Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, phytochemicals and antioxidants making them unique compared to other foods. Consuming walnuts has been associated with health benefits including a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiome has been linked to several chronic diseases. One potential mechanism by which walnuts may exert their health benefit is through modifying the gut microbiome. This study identified the changes in the gut microbial communities that occur following the inclusion of walnuts in the diet. Male Fischer 344 rats (n=20) were randomly assigned to one of two diets for as long as 10 weeks: (1) walnut (W), and (2) replacement (R) in which the fat, fiber, and protein in walnuts were matched with corn oil, protein casein, and a cellulose fiber source. Intestinal samples were collected from the descending colon, the DNA isolated, and the V3-V4 hypervariable region of 16S rRNA gene deep sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq for characterization of the gut microbiota. Body weight and food intake did not differ significantly between the two diet groups. The diet groups had distinct microbial communities with animals consuming walnuts displaying significantly greater species diversity. Walnuts increased the abundance of Firmicutes and reduced the abundance of Bacteriodetes. Walnuts enriched the microbiota for probiotic-type bacteria including Lactobacillus, Ruminococcaceae, and Roseburia while significantly reducing Bacteroides and Anaerotruncus. The class Alphaproteobacteria was also reduced. Walnut consumption altered the gut microbial community suggesting a new mechanism by which walnuts may confer their beneficial health effects.     

核桃种质资源遗传多样性的SSR分析

应用16对SSR引物对国内不同地理生态型的44个核桃样品、8个铁核桃样品和7个美国核桃样品进行了分析。结果显示,在16个SSR位点上共获得87个等位基因,每个位点扩增等位基因4～9个,平均5.4个。各SSR位点的观察杂合度为0～0.931 0,平均为0.389 4。各位点PIC值在0.376 2～0.786 3之间,平均为0.663 2。59个核桃样品的杂合度在0.133～0.813之间,平均0.387。聚类分析表明,来自秦岭山地的核桃样品与华北核桃属于同一生态类型;巩留的野核桃属于与新疆生态型和华北生态型不同的一个独立的生态型;美国核桃和铁核桃属于核桃种下不同的生态类型。     

青皮核桃采后病害生防菌贝莱斯芽胞杆菌XRD006全基因组分析及防治效果研究

【目的】探究生防菌贝莱斯芽胞杆菌(Bacillus velezensis) XRD006对青皮核桃采后病害的生防能力及其贮藏保鲜效果,解析菌株的基因特性和次级代谢产物,了解菌株的抑菌机制。【方法】通过抑菌试验确定XRD006对青皮核桃采后病原菌的抑制能力。利用活体抑菌及贮藏试验探究生防菌对青皮核桃采后病原菌的抑制能力及对青皮核桃贮藏品质的影响。以全基因组测序了解菌株XRD006的基因组特征及潜在抑菌相关基因;利用antiSMASH软件预测XRD006的次级代谢产物;结合比较基因组学分析XRD006和贝莱斯芽胞杆菌标准株FZB42、SQR9之间的共线性关系和次级代谢产物基因簇差异。利用高效液相色谱(high performance liquid chromatography,HPLC)和质谱鉴定XRD006次级代谢产物并通过牛津杯法测定其抑菌能力。【结果】抑菌试验表明菌株XRD006对青皮核桃采后病原菌隐秘刺盘孢(Colletotrichum aenigma)、暹罗炭疽菌(Colletotrichum siamense)、葡萄座腔菌(Botryosphaeria dothidea)和藤仓...     

Nitric oxide fumigation for control of navel orangeworm,Amyelois transitella,on walnut

The navel orangeworm (NOW), Amyelois transitella (Walker), is a major post-harvest pest of tree nuts including walnut, almonds and pistachios. Nitric oxide (NO) was recently discovered to be a potential fumigant under ultralow oxygen conditions for post-harvest pest control. In this study, NO fumigation was evaluated for efficacy against eggs, larvae and pupae of NOW. NO fumigation was found to be similarly effective against NOW on artificial diet and in infested walnuts. Fumigations of 4, 8 and 16 hr with 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5% NO, respectively, achieved complete control of small and large larvae in artificial diet. Complete control of pupae on artificial diet was achieved in 8, 16 and 24 hr fumigations with 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5% NO, respectively. For NOW in infested walnuts, complete control was achieved in 6, 8 and 16 hr fumigations with 1.5, 1.0 and 0.5% NO, respectively, for small larvae; in 4-, 8- and 24-hr fumigations with 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5% NO, respectively, for large larvae; and in 8-, 16- and 24-hr fumigations with 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5% NO, respectively, for pupae. Eggs were more tolerant to NO fumigation than larvae and pupae, and complete control of NOW eggs was achieved in 8- and 16-hr fumigation with 3.0 and 2.0% NO, respectively. This study demonstrated the efficacy of NO fumigation against NOW on walnut and its potential as an alternative post-harvest treatment for the pest.     

Food of the rook (Corvus frugilegus L.) in Hawke's Bay,New Zealand

Abstract

Throughout a year gizzards from 160 adult and juvenile rooks and 105 large young in rookeries were collected from Hawke's Bay. The main foods were invertebrates (especially Diptera larvae and Coleoptera adults) during the warmer months and walnuts and acorns in autumn and winter. When these foods were scarce cereals were taken, mainly from stubble. Other important food items were carrion, earthworms, peas, grass, and clover. Foods fed to young rooks were similar to those eaten by adults except that the young were fed more striped dung fly (Hybopygia varia) larvae (P < 0.025) and fewer blow fly (Calliphoridae) larvae (P < 0.025).     

Historical effects on local variation in walnut-feeding behavior by the Japanese wood mouse, Apodemus speciosus

The Japanese wood mouse Apodemus speciosus eats large, hard-walled walnuts of Juglans ailanthifolia immediately after finding or after hoarding them. However, not all individuals can efficiently eat the nuts. In this study, to examine local variation in the ability to eat walnuts, feeding behavior was compared among nine wood mouse populations, four from mainland Honshu, where the walnut tree is distributed, and five from the Izu Islands (30-100 km south of Honshu), which lack the tree species. To avoid the effects of pre-capture experience with walnuts, mice from areas lacking the walnut trees were used for testing, even in the Honshu sites. Most mice from Honshu were able to eat walnuts after a 14-day training period, whereas most insular mice could not, with the exception of mice on Kouzushima Island. An analysis of the population genetic structures of these mice based on sequences of the mitochondrial control (D-loop) region revealed that the four insular populations are genetically distinct from the mainland populations, whereas the Kouzushima population remains genetically similar to the mainland populations. The relatively recent colonization of Kouzushima may explain why mice from this island were able to feed on walnuts despite the lack of walnut trees on the island. Thus, walnut-feeding ability appears to have some innate basis in the Japanese wood mouse, and this trait would be selected for in a walnut-available environment as it would better enable mice to survive during food shortages.     

Feeding ecology of rooks (Corvus frugilegus) on the Heretaunga Plains,Hawke's Bay,New Zealand

Abstract

The food resources of rooks were measured and related to changes in the birds' feeding behaviour during 1968-1970. In all, 381 birds were individually marked with wing tags and colour-coded leg bands and released; their activities were recorded for set periods. Rooks preferred to eat invertebrates and walnuts, but also took seed of cereals, pulses, and stock feeds. They spent at least 40% of their feeding time (75-80% in spring) eating invertebrates, 30-60% finding or hiding walnuts and sometimes acorns in autumn and winter, and 45% eating seed during hot, dry weather in summer. Up to 6% of feeding time was spent eating newly sown or ripening seed. Throughout winter rooks frequently searched for hidden nuts, which they ate or moved to new positions. The proportion of time they spent feeding and the kind of food taken varied seasonally and, in summer and winter, hourly; there were only slight differences between morning, mid-day, and afternoon periods. Rooks spent 65% of the time feeding in autumn, but only 25-30% in spring. Conversely, they spent longer at nest sites from late autumn, peaking at 60% in spring, then less time at nests as they spent longer searching for food. The size of flocks altered with the food being eaten and therefore with season and time of day. Small flocks were widespread where favoured food was plentiful in autumn, winter, and spring, but flocks were larger where food was unevenly abundant in summer and sometimes in winter. During early autumn each bird usually ate and stored walnuts in a selected area of 1-2 km3, returning there later in the season to recover stored nuts. The areas formed only part of the total range used by the study population, and were usually shared with other birds. Tests in aviaries showed that rooks preferred earthworms and walnuts to acorns, maize, and wheat (in that order), and field tests confirmed that rooks preferred walnuts to maize. The numbers of each food item required to sustain a rook for a daylight hour were estimated. Summer is the most difficult season for rooks to find food.     

Distribution,host plant affiliation,phenology, and phylogeny of walnut‐infesting Rhagoletis flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Mexico

Many taxa of Nearctic origin have diversified in the subtropical highlands of Mexico. In particular, flies in the genus Rhagoletis have undergone episodes of isolation and gene flow during Pleistocene glaciations and post‐glacial times that have produced lineage differentiation and reproductive isolation. To reach a better understanding of the phylogeography of the genus Rhagoletis, a host plant survey of the walnut‐infesting Rhagoletis suavis species group was conducted across sixteen states comprising 34 different collecting sites in Mexico over a 9‐year period. Five species of Juglans were found to be infested by three species of walnut‐attacking Rhagoletis flies. Several species of parasitoids were also recovered from collections, but in contrast to their walnut fly hosts, they revealed little evidence for host or geographic subdivision. There was no consistent difference in mean eclosion time between walnut fly species or populations associated with different host walnuts in Mexico, unlike the case for other Rhagoletis species, in which allochronic isolation arising from variation in diapause timing is a major ecological adaptation, reproductively isolating flies. We compare the distribution of R. suavis flies in Mexico with those of other Rhagoletis species attacking hawthorns and cherries, and discuss its implications for population divergence and speciation. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 110 , 765–779.     

Population differences and learning effects in walnut feeding technique by the Japanese squirrel

Feeding efficiency is an important factor explaining diet selection in seed-eating animals. Behavioral adaptation to process and consume the seed is advantageous to improve their feeding rate. The Japanese walnut (Juglans ailanthifolia), which has a nutritious kernel surrounded by a hard shell, is an important food for the Japanese squirrel (Sciurus lis) in lowland mixed-species forests in Japan. In the present study, population differences in feeding technique were examined. In all squirrels captured from the Takao population (with wild Japanese walnuts in their habitat), the optimal feeding technique for quickly opening the walnut shell was observed. However, only 8% of the squirrels from the Fuji population (without walnuts in their habitat) processed the walnuts by the optimal feeding technique. By a repetitive provision of walnuts for 50 days, 14% of squirrels from the Fuji population acquired the optimal feeding technique. Learning effects did not differ significantly between solitary (without a demonstrator) and social conditions (with a demonstrator). The effects of age on learning the feeding technique were examined using individuals from a zoo population that had been naïve for Japanese walnuts. All five individuals aged 6 months old, and half the individuals aged 1–2 years old, ate walnuts by the optimal feeding technique after a 2-month learning period, but none of the individuals older than 3 years did. Consequently, the walnut feeding techniques of the Japanese squirrel are not entirely genetically fixed behavior and can be improved by learning at a young age.     

Walnut Consumption Increases Satiation but Has No Effect on Insulin Resistance or the Metabolic Profile Over a 4‐day Period

Obesity and diabetes have been associated with increased consumption of highly processed foods, and reduced consumption of whole grains and nuts. It has been proposed, mainly on the basis of observational studies, that nuts may provide superior satiation, may lead to reduced calorie consumption, and may decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes; but evidence from randomized, interventional studies is lacking. A total of 20 men and women with the metabolic syndrome participated in a randomized, double‐blind, crossover study of walnut consumption. Subjects had two 4‐day admissions to the clinical research center where they were fed an isocaloric diet. In addition, they consumed shakes for breakfast containing either walnuts or placebo (shakes were standardized for calories, carbohydrate, and fat content). Appetite, insulin resistance, and metabolic parameters were measured. We found an increased level of satiety (overall P value = 0.0079) and sense of fullness (P = 0.05) in prelunch questionnaires following the walnut breakfast as compared to the placebo breakfast, with the walnut effect achieving significance on day 3 and 4 (P = 0.02 and P = 0.03). We did not find any change in resting energy expenditure, hormones known to mediate satiety, or insulin resistance when comparing the walnut vs. placebo diet. Walnut consumption over 4 days increased satiety by day 3. Long‐term studies are needed to confirm the physiologic role of walnuts, the duration of time needed for these effects to occur, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.     

Vice-anvil use in nut processing by two Corvus species

Woodpeckers and certain passerine species secure encased food in the environment in various ways to facilitate the extraction of the contents with their bills. They do this by securing the food items in locations such as crevices and holes, newly defined in this paper as ‘vice-anvils’. Here I report that free-living New Caledonian crows (Corvus moneduloides) and rooks (Corvus frugilegus, in New Zealand) also use vice-anvils to process candlenuts and walnuts, respectively. New Caledonian crows placed candlenut sections in vice-anvils to aid kernel extraction, after the candlenuts had been dropped onto an anvil to break them open. In contrast, rooks used vice-anvils to secure walnuts while they broke the shell with their bills. Long-term use by rooks of a vice-anvil in a tree had produced a ‘purpose-made’ nut-cracking site. My findings extend the persistent use of specific vice-anvils to Corvus species and further demonstrate their innovative and flexible foraging behaviour.     

The Paleoethnobotany of the Nebo Hill Site

Abstract

Carbonized botanical remains from Nebo Hill 23CL11), a Late Archaic site along the Missouri River, are investigated to gain information relevant to several lines of analysis. A considerable diversity of taxa are represented, but most are present in low quantities. Results indicate that black walnuts (Juglans nigra) were the predominant plant food gathered. Seeds may also have been utilized, but the evidence is not conclusive. Gathering activities appear to have concentrated on a narrow range of plant foods. Seasonal availability of recovered plant remains indicates a probable late summer and autumn occupation.     

Detection of walnut residues in processed foods by polymerase chain reaction

A sensitive qualitative detection method for walnut (Juglans regia) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed. For detection of walnuts with high specificity, the primer pair WAL-F/WAL-R was designed based on walnut matK genes. Trace amounts of walnuts in commercial food products can be qualitatively detected using this method.     

Isolation,Biological Properties,and Spatial Structure of Antibiotic Loloatin A

A peptide antibiotic with cyanolytic activity was isolated from the IGM52 strain of the Brevibacillus laterosporus Gram-positive spore-forming bacteria. By ¹H NMR spectroscopy, this antibiotic was identified as loloatin A, a cyclic decapeptide cyclo(-Asn-Asp-Tyr-Val-Orn-Leu-D-Tyr-Pro-Phe-D-Phe-). The spatial structure of loloatin A in solution was determined.     

Natural occurrence of gliotoxin in turkeys infected with Aspergillus fumigatus,Fresenius

Thirteen samples of infected turkey lung tissue from cases of airsacculitis were collected either at the processing plant or from a local turkey farm and subjected to cultural and gliotoxin analysis. Aspergillus fumigatus was isolated from 6 of the 13 samples; all isolates were determined to be gliotoxin producers when grown in laboratory culture and assayed by HPLC procedures. Gliotoxin was isolated from 5 of the 13 tissues but was not isolated from all tissues that were infected with A. fumigatus. Gliotoxin was isolated from two tissues from which no A. fumigatus was isolated and it was not detected in three tissues from which gliotoxin-producing isolates of A. fumigatus were obtained. The ability of this pathogenic fungus to produce this immunomodulating compound in naturally infected turkeys provides further evidence that gliotoxin may be involved in the pathogenesis of the disease, aspergillosis of turkeys. Disclaimer: Names are necessary to report factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the products, and the use of the name by USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable.