Comparison of the volatile emission profiles of ground almond and pistachio mummies: Part 1 – Addressing a gap in knowledge of current attractants for navel orangeworm

Over the years various tissues of almond and pistachio have been evaluated for their ability to attract the navel orangeworm moth, a major insect pest in California tree nut orchards. Almond meal, which typically consists of ground almond kernels, is a monitoring tool for navel orangeworm populations in almond and pistachio orchards. Recently, ground pistachio and almond mummies have been re-visited in field trapping studies for their potential to attract navel orangeworm moths. Surprisingly, the volatile profiles of these two systems have not been reported. The objective of this study was to survey and then compare and contrast the volatile profiles of both ground almond and pistachio mummies over the course of a week. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the headspace volatiles showed a distinct difference between ground almond and pistachio mummies. The volatile emission profile of the almond mummies remained consistent over the one-week period, albeit in low content and composition; whereas the profile of the pistachio mummies changed over time as shown by PCA. Seven compounds were identified as being common volatiles to both matrices. These data may help explain results from recent navel orangeworm field trapping studies using almond and pistachio mummies, as well as with the formulation of future synthetic blends.     

Evaluation of monitoring traps with novel bait for navel orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in California almond and pistachio orchards

Experiments conducted in three almond, Prunus dulcis (Rosales: Rosaceae), orchards and three pistachio, Pistacia vera (Sapindales: Anicardiaceae), orchards in 2009 and 2010, and determined that sticky bottom wing traps baited with ground pistachio mummies, or a combination of ground pistachio plus ground almond mummies, trapped more adult female navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), than did traps baited with ground almond mummies alone. During both years of this study, 2.9 and 1.8 more moths were caught in traps baited with pistachio mummies compared with traps baited with almond mummies in almond orchards and pistachio orchards, respectively. Also, traps located in pistachio orchards caught 5.9 and 8.3 times more navel orangeworm than were trapped from almond orchards in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Implications for use of this novel baited trap in almond and pistachio orchard integrated pest management programs are discussed.     

Effect of water stress on the lipid and fatty acid composition of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) chloroplasts

In order to investigate the effects of water stress on the photosynthetic compartment, analysis of chloroplast polar lipids and their fatty acid composition was made. Cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. Reba) plants were submitted to water stress by witholding irrigation. Chloroplasts were purified on a Percoll gradient and three fractions were collected: intact, apparently intact and broken chloroplasts. The percentage of broken chloroplasts increased with a decrease in leaf water potential, indicating a greater weakness of the membrane. Galactolipid content (expressed as mg lipid per mg chlorophyll), particularly digalactosyldiglyceride, decreased with decreasing water potential. Phospholipid content decreased in the broken chloroplast fraction. The fatty acid composition of chloroplasts was also affected. The perecentage of linolenic acid (18:3), the major fatty acid of thylakoids, decreased, whereas that of linoleic acid(18:2) and oliec acid (18:1) increased. An accumulation of fatty acids having less than 16 carbon atoms was also observed. These changes in the lipid and fatty acid composition of cotton chloroplasts under water stress might affect the properties of the thylakoid membrane and thereby the photosynthetic activity and the compartmentation of the leaf cells.     

Nutritive value of almond hulls for sheep

The chemical composition of exocarp and mesocarp of Prunus amygdalus Batsch (almond hulls) was studied for five years. Digestibility trials on whether lambs were carried out over two years with different samples of almond hulls in order to study the nutritive value (digestibility and intake) according to the effect of supplementary nitrogen (Trial I) and presentation form, ground or coarse (Trial II).The increase in nitrogen content of the diet had a positive effect (P ≤ 0.01) on intake. Grinding had a negative influence (P ≤ 0.01) on digestibility, but did not modify the intake of almond hulls. The digestibility of organic matter of coarse almond hulls was 63.3 (Trial I) and 66.7% (Trial II). The concentration of digestible energy (DE) was estimated at 12.04 MJ/kg DM.     

The effect of the preservative sorbic acid on the lipid composition of the ascomycete fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium roqueforti</Emphasis> Thom

The mechanism of action of potassium sorbate, a widely used food preservative on the lipid composition of the Ascomycete fungus Penicillium roqueforti, the main contaminant of cheese, was investigated. The inhibition of fungal growth by potassium sorbate was found to be associated with a change in the composition of phospholipids (a decrease in phosphatidylcholine content and an increase in phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidic acid content) and of neutral lipids (a decrease in the triacylglycerol and sterol content and an increase in the free fatty acid content). The fatty acid composition of fungal lipids also changed. A drastic decrease in the linoleic acid content occurred both in the total lipid fraction and in the triacylglycerol and total phospholipid fractions, whereas the oleic acid content increased correspondingly. This suggests that sorbic acid (SA) affects Δ12 desaturase activity, which controls the adaptive response of mycelial fungi to deleterious environmental factors.     

Seasonal changes in water and fat content and fatty acid composition of the catkin buds of Alaska willow (Salix alaxensis)

Summary Catkin buds of Salix alaxensis from interior Alaska were analyzed for water and lipid content and fatty acid composition throughout the year. Water content was significantly correlated with environmental temperature, but lipid content was not. Linoleic acid (18:2) and arachidic acid (20:0) were predominant in the lipids of whole catkins.Of the 27 different fatty acids found in all weekly samples, 11 showed pronounced seasonal variation, most of which occurred during catkin development and flowering in spring. During winter, only the amount of linoleic acid in the catkins was significantly negatively correlated with change in ambient temperature.Histological and chemical analyses of the catkin florets and catkin scales revealed that 99% of the linoleic acid was located in the florets primarily in the form of triglycerides while 94% of the arachidic acid was located in the catkin scale primarily as wax esters. While the linoleic acid in the triglycerides of the meristematic florets probably provides an energy source for the developing catkins, the large amounts of arachidic acid located in the catkin scales probably serves to prevent dessication of the catkins during the long, cold and dry arctic winters.     

Circadian rhythms in Neurospora crassa: a clock mutant, prd-1, is altered in membrane fatty acid composition

The fatty acid compositions of the phospholipids of Neurospora crassa mutants with altered periods were determined to test the possibility that some of these mutants might have altered membrane composition. In liquid shaker culture in constant light the bd (band) strain, which has a normal period (21.6 h), exhibited a growth-dependent increase in linoleic acid content and a decrease in linolenic acid content during early log phase growth. By late log phase, fatty acid composition was essentially constant. The phospholipid fatty acid compositions of bd strains containing mutations at the frq (frequency) and chr (chrono) loci were indistinguishable from that of the bd strain under the conditions used. However, a bd strain containing a mutation at the prd-1 (period) locus, as well as prd-1 segregants from a cross of this strain to a bd strain, had altered patterns of growth-dependent fatty acid composition; linoleic and linolenic acid contents changed more slow than in the bd strain and continued to change throughout growth. In addition, the fatty acid composition of a bd prd-1 strain on solid medium differed from that of the bd strain. It is proposed that the prd-1 mutation leads to altered membrane homeostasis, which in turn affects circadian rhythmicity because some or all components of the rhythm-generating system are membrane-localized.     

Exogenously applied glycinebetaine enhances seed and seed oil quality of maize (Zea mays L.) under water deficit conditions

A field trial was carried out to appraise up to what extent exogenous application of a potential osmoprotectant, glycinebetaine (GB), could ameliorate the inhibitory effects of shortage of water on maize seed and seed oil composition and oil antioxidant potential. Two maize cultivars, Agaiti-2002 (drought tolerant) and EV-1098 (drought sensitive), were exposed to drought treatments at the vegetative growth stage. Both the maize cultivars used in the present study are being widely cultivated in Pakistan and have been an important source of developing different maize hybrids. Two levels of glycinebetaine (0 or 30 mM) were foliar-applied at the vegetative stage. Water stress reduced the kernel sugar, oil, protein, moisture contents and most of the seed micro- and macro-nutrients analyzed of both maize cultivars, but it increased the contents of seed fiber and ash contents. Among different seed oil un-saturated fatty acids, water stress increased the oil oleic acid contents with a decrease in linoleic acid contents, which resulted in increased oil oleic/linoleic ratio of both maize cultivars. However, no variation was observed in oil stearic and palmitic acid contents due to water stress. A considerable increase in seed oil α-, γ-, δ- and total tocopherols and flavonoids was observed in both maize cultivars. However, oil phenolic content and 1,1′-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity decreased. Foliar-applied GB significantly increased the contents of seed sugar, oil, protein, moisture, fiber, ash, GB contents and micro- and macro-nutrients of both maize cultivars under well irrigated and water deficit conditions. Furthermore, exogenous application of GB increased the oil oleic and linoleinic acid contents. All different lipophilic compounds estimated in the seed oil increased due to foliar applied GB. Furthermore, GB also increased seed oil antioxidant activity appraised in terms of oil DPPH free radical scavenging activity. By summarizing the results, it seemed that exogenously applied GB remained in intact form until later stages of growth and counteracted the inhibitory effects of water deficit on seed and seed oil composition similarly of both maize cultivars.     

Chemical composition of the fixed and volatile oils of Nigella sativa L. from Iran

The chemical composition of the extracted fixed oil (total fatty acid composition) and volatile oil of Nigella sativa L. seeds grown in Iran were determined by GC and GC/MS. Eight fatty acids (99.5%) and thirty-two compounds (86.7%) have been identified in the fixed and volatile oils, respectively. The main fatty acids of the fixed oil were linoleic acid (55.6%), oleic acid (23.4%), and palmitic acid (12.5%). The major compounds of the volatile oil were trans-anethole (38.3%), p-cymene (14.8%), limonene (4.3%), and carvone (4.0%).     

Modulation of human erythrocyte shape and fatty acids by diet

A semi-synthetic diet (Vivonex) was administered via nasogastric tube to three cystic fibrosis patients with pancreatic exocrine deficiency for 14 days to gain weight. Dietary essential fatty acids were provided as safflower oil, which constituted 1.3% of total calories. Plasma and red blood cells were analyzed for the content and composition of lipids at the start of the diet and at days 7 and 14 of the dietary period, and the results were correlated with the morphology of the cells. Feeding Vivonex to the patients led to an essential fatty acid deficiency, which was manifested in a 50% decrease in the linoleic acid content of the phosphatidylcholine of plasma and red blood cells at days 7 and 14 and in a 20% decrease in the linoleic acid content of red cell phosphatidylethanolamine at day 14. There was no significant alteration in the levels or composition of the other phospholipid classes and in the free cholesterol/phospholipid ratio. The decrease in the linoleic acid content of the erythrocytes was accompanied by a dramatic increase in the proportion of cells as echinocytes. We conclude that restricted linoleic acid availability in cystic fibrosis patients causes a change in red blood cell shape either directly by decreasing the linoleoylphosphatidylcholine content of the membrane or indirectly by affecting enzyme activity.     

Influence of dietary partially hydrogenated fat high in trans fatty acids on lipid composition and function of intestinal brush border membrane in rats

The effect of dietary hydrogenated fat (Indian vanaspati) high in trans fatty acids (6 en%) on lipid composition, fluidity and function of rat intestinal brush border membrane was studied at 2 and 8 en% of linoleic acid. Three groups of weanling rats were fed rice-pulse based diet containing 10% fat over a ten week period: Group I (groundnut oil), Group II (vanaspati), Group III (vanaspati + safflower oil). The functionality of the brush border membrane was assessed by the activity of membrane bound enzymes and transport of D-glucose and L-leucine. The levels of total cholesterol and phospholipids were similar in all groups. The data on fatty acid composition of membrane phospholipids showed that, at 2 en% of linoleic acid in the diet, trans fatty acids lowered arachidonic acid and increased linoleic acid contents indicating altered polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism. Alkaline phosphatase activity was increased while the activities of sucrase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and transport of D-glucose and L-leucine were not altered by dietary trans fatty acids. However at higher intake of linoleic acid in the diet, trans fatty acids have no effect on polyunsaturated fatty acid composition and alkaline phosphatase activity of intestinal brush border membrane. These data suggest that feeding dietary fat high in trans fatty acids is associated with alteration in intestinal brush border membrane polyunsaturated fatty acid composition and alkaline phosphatase activity only when the dietary linoleic acid is low.     

不同发育时期及外源处理后赤霞珠葡萄脂氧合酶活性及脂肪酸含量变化

以酿酒葡萄品种赤霞珠为试材,研究了果实发育时期、机械创伤处理与外源茉莉酸甲酯处理对葡萄果皮中脂肪酸组分、含量及LOX活性的变化。结果表明:(1)葡萄果皮的LOX活性在花后12周达到最大值;花后15周对果实进行创伤处理,处理3h后LOX活性达到最高点;花后17周对果实进行MeJA处理,处理后24hLOX活性达到最大值。(2)葡萄果皮脂肪酸组分中,饱和脂肪酸以棕榈酸和硬脂酸为主,而不饱和脂肪酸以亚油酸和亚麻酸为主。(3)葡萄果实脂肪酸含量随葡萄发育先增加后下降,花后15周创伤处理后的葡萄脂肪酸含量波动较大,花后17周茉莉酸甲酯处理后24h葡萄脂肪酸含量显著升高。     

Protracted emergence of overwintering Amyelois transitella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) from pistachios and almonds in California

The navel orangeworm, Amyelois transitella (Walker), is the primary insect pest of pistachios and almonds in California. Four years of research (2002-2006) were conducted in Madera and Kern Counties to elucidate the pattern of adult emergence of the overwintering navel orangeworm population. Springtime emergence from unharvested (mummy) nuts was protracted (600 degree-days or more from 1 January of each year) and in 2004 and 2006 extended to mid-July. The population structure, sex ratio, and timing of emergence differed between pistachio and almond mummies. Pistachio populations had a significantly greater proportion of late stage individuals compared with almond mummies, 85.7 versus 34.1%. The sex ratio of adults emerging from pistachio mummies was significantly skewed with a ratio 57:43 male:female compared with 50:50 in almond mummies. Emergence from mummies held outdoors (variable temperature) began in early March and continued through early June in both pistachio mummies and almond mummies. The adult emergence pattern from pistachio mummies contained a single emergence peak, whereas emergence from almond mummies occurred in multiple peaks. These same patterns occurred when mummies were held at constant temperature, and the emergence peak from pistachio mummies occurred sooner. The impact of these findings on understanding navel orangeworm population dynamics and current control recommendations is discussed.     

Changes in the fatty acid composition of steelhead trout, Salmo gairdnerii Richardson, associated with parr-smolt transformation

Fatty acids from the several lipid classes of selected steelhead trout (Salmo gairdnerii) parr and smolt tissues, previously separated by thin-layer chromatography, were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. The fatty acid composition of the parr was markedly different from that of the smolt; the former being characterized by relatively low amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids and relatively high amounts of linoleic acid, much like the typical freshwater lipid pattern. The fatty acid composition of the smolt was characterized by large proportions of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Generally, the fatty acid composition of the smolt resembled the typical seawater lipid pattern. The change in fatty acid composition of the smolt is anticipatory to seawater entry and is independent of diet and water temperature. These alterations suggest that the assumption of a polyunsaturated lipid pattern during parr-smolt transformation (smoltification) is preadaptive to seawater entry.     

The effect of dietary polyenylphosphatidylcholine on microsomal delta-6-desaturase activity, fatty acid composition, and microviscosity in rat liver under oxidative stress

Polyenylphosphatidylcholine is a choline-glycerophospholipid containing up to 80% of total fatty acids as linoleic acid and may be an important factor in ensuring normal functioning of cell membranes. We tested the effect of a polyenylphosphatidylcholine-supplemented diet and compared it with both a trilinolein-supplemented and a laboratory chow diet on the fatty acid composition, microviscosity, and delta-6-desaturase activity of liver microsomal membranes of 12-month-old rats, in the absence or presence of oxidative stress induced by adriamycin. Polyenylphosphatidylcholine- and trilinolein-supplemented diets showed a similar increase in linoleic acid content and delta-6-desaturase activity in liver microsomes, indicating that low amounts of linoleic acid are able to partially restore the enzyme activity in old rats, independent of the source of linoleic acid. After adriamycin treatment, delta-6-desaturase activity increased in polyenylphosphatidylcholine and trilinolein groups, indicating a protective mechanism against the damage induced by polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxidation. The measurement of malondialdehyde production showed a protective effect on adriamycin-induced lipid peroxidation by polyenylphosphatidylcholine supplementation only. Microsomal membrane microviscosity did not change independent of diet and adriamycin treatment, suggesting that the response of microsomes to lipid peroxidation might be the maintenance of a given membrane order. Administration of polyenylphosphatidylcholine can prevent or minimize the liver damage induced by adriamycin treatment.     

Aflatoxin variability in pistachios.

Pistachio fruit components, including hulls (mesocarps and epicarps), seed coats (testas), and kernels (seeds), all contribute to variable aflatoxin content in pistachios. Fresh pistachio kernels were individually inoculated with Aspergillus flavus and incubated 7 or 10 days. Hulled, shelled kernels were either left intact or wounded prior to inoculation. Wounded kernels, with or without the seed coat, were readily colonized by A. flavus and after 10 days of incubation contained 37 times more aflatoxin than similarly treated unwounded kernels. The aflatoxin levels in the individual wounded pistachios were highly variable. Neither fungal colonization nor aflatoxin was detected in intact kernels without seed coats. Intact kernels with seed coats had limited fungal colonization and low aflatoxin concentrations compared with their wounded counterparts. Despite substantial fungal colonization of wounded hulls, aflatoxin was not detected in hulls. Aflatoxin levels were significantly lower in wounded kernels with hulls than in kernels of hulled pistachios. Both the seed coat and a water-soluble extract of hulls suppressed aflatoxin production by A. flavus.     

Effect of NaCl on fatty acids, phenolics and antioxidant activity of Nigella sativa organs

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of salinity on growth, fatty acid composition, phenol content and antioxidant activity of Nigella sativa organs. Plants were grown hydroponically under NaCl stress (0, 20 40 and 60 mM). The results indicated that salinity affected N. sativa growth. The fatty acid composition of the leaves and the roots was investigated for the first time and major fatty acids were linolenic acid (58.1%) in the leaves and linoleic (43.9%) and palmitic (33.3%) acids and in the roots. Total fatty acid (TFA) content of the leaves decreased at 60 mM NaCl while root TFA increased at 20 and 40 mM NaCl. Moreover, the fatty acid composition was affected by NaCl; in leaves, the double bond index (DBI) decreased accompanied by a decrease of the level of linolenic acid which reached 14% at 60 mM NaCl. However, root DBI degree increased at 40 at 60 mM NaCl provoked mainly by the increase of the amount of linoleic acid by 15 and 8%, respectively, and the decrease of the amount of palmitic acid by 20 and 14%, respectively. Salt stress increased total polyphenol and individual phenolic acid contents in shoots. Moreover, the antiradical activity of the shoots (DPPH) increased at 60 mM NaCl. However, in roots, the total polyphenol content and the antiradical activity decreased sharply with increasing NaCl doses. Data reported here revealed the variation of fatty acids and phenolic compound contents in different organs of N. sativa, and the possible role of theses changes in the plant salt response were discussed.     

The predominance of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the butterfly Morpho peleides before and after metamorphosis

We hypothesized that the polyunsaturated fatty acids of the butterfly were probably derived from the diet and that there might be a great loss of body fat during metamorphosis. To substantiate these hypotheses, we analyzed the fatty acid composition and content of the diet, the larva, and the butterfly Morpho peleides. Both the diet and the tissues of the larva and butterfly had a high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In the diet, linolenic acid accounted for 19% and linoleic acid for 8% of total fatty acids. In the larva, almost 60% of the total fatty acids were polyunsaturated: linolenic acid predominated at 42% of total fatty acids, and linoleic acid was at 17%. In the butterfly, linolenic acid represented 36% and linoleic acid represented 11% of total fatty acids. The larva had a much higher total fatty acid content than the butterfly (20.2 vs. 6.9 mg). Our data indicate that the transformation from larva to butterfly during metamorphosis drastically decreased the total fatty acid content. There was bioenhancement of polyunsaturated fatty acids from the diet to the larva and butterfly. This polyunsaturation of membranes may have functional importance in providing membrane fluidity useful in flight.     

Seed Polyphenolic Profile,Antioxidative Activity,and Fatty Acids Composition of Wild and Cultivated Carthamus Species

Total flavonoid content (TFC) and cyanidin‐3‐glucoside (Cyd‐3‐glu) of seed and seed coat extract of 16 genotypes from five species of Carthamus were studied, and their major polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of the seed coat extracts were determined using HPLC analysis and DPPH assay, respectively. Additionally, fatty acids composition of the seed oil was analyzed by GC. In general, TFC and Cyd‐3‐glu content of seed coat extracts were higher than those of seed extracts. A novel breeding line with black seed coat (named A82) depicted lower TFC (3.79 mg QUE/g DW) but higher Cyd‐3‐glu (24.64 mg/g DW) compared to the white and other seed‐pigmented genotypes. DPPH radical scavenging activity showed a strong association with Cyd‐3‐glu content (r = 0.84), but no correlation with TFC (r = ?0.32). HPLC analysis of seed coat extracts revealed that four compounds were dominant constituents including rutin (7.23 – 117.95 mg/100 g DW), apigenin (4.37 – 64.88 mg/100 g DW), quercetin (3.09 – 14.10 mg/100 g DW), and ferulic acid (4.49 – 30.41 mg/100 g DW). Interestingly, the genotype A82 with an appropriate polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids index (5.46%) and a moderate linoleic fatty acid content (64.70%) had higher nutritional and pharmaceutical value than all the other genotypes.     

Hydrocarbons,free fatty acids,and amino acids of sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Summary Sclerotia of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) D By. were obtained from commercial pea-and bean-cleaning operations or grown on potato-dextrose agar and synthetic glucose-and sucrose-salts agar media. The crude fat (ether extract) content of sclerotia varied from 0.8 to 1.5%. Extraction and fractionation of the lipids followed by gas chromatographic analysis showed that sclerotia from pea cleanings contained one predominant hydrocarbon which was absent from sclerotia produced in the laboratory. Sclerotia from natural sources and grown in the laboratory contained a similar distribution of C₁₈ unsaturated free fatty acids, however, quantitative differences were noted. Palmitic, oleic and linoleic were the major free fatty acids of the laboratory-grown sclerotia while a high proportion of linoleic acid was also found in sclerotia from natural sources. Sclerotia were fractionated into water-soluble and water-insoluble fractions. After acid hydrolysis of the waterinsoluble fraction, both fractions were analyzed for amino acids. Twenty-one compounds, including 2 unknowns, were detected in the soluble fraction. The hydrolyzates contained 19 amino acids, including the same 2 unknowns. Two compounds tentatively identified as ornithine and -aminobutyric acid were found only in the water-soluble fraction. The relative amino acid composition of the water-insoluble fraction of sclerotia from various sources was fairly constant but the arginine content decreased on the synthetic media.