Food utilization by insects: Interpretation of observed differences between dry weight and energy efficiencies

Over 80% of the values of approximate digestibility (AD), efficiency of conversion of assimilated food to biomass (ECD) and efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) calculated using energy terms are greater than the corresponding dry weight (DW) values, based on data for over 65 species (38 studies; number of comparative values: AD=139, ECD=128 and ECI=169). Largest positive differences (energy > DW values) are 30 (AD, ECD) and 24 (ECI) percentage points and largest negative differences (energy < DW values) are 9 (AD), 11 (ECD) and 8 (ECI) percentage points. These differences generally are least for ECI (71% of the differences fall between 0 and +5 percentage points), and AD (68%), followed by ECD (only 47% fall between 0 and +5), and they may vary with temperature, food and other factors. The differences tend to increase (esp. for ECD and ECI) when comparing later with earlier instars. Energy > DW efficiency values are commonly expected for AD because of the generally greater energy content of food than feces, and for ECD and ECI because of the generally greater energy content of insect biomass than ingested and assimilated food. Deviations from predicted differences in surveyed literature data are discussed in terms of possible methodological sources of error.

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Résumé Plus de 80% des valeurs de la digestibilité approchée (AD), de l'efficacité de la conversion de la nourriture assimilée en biomasse (ECD) et de l'efficacité de la conversion de l'aliment ingéré (ECI), calculées en termes énergétiques, et obtenus à partir de données sur 65 espèces, sont supérieures aux valeurs des poids secs correspondants (DW): 38 études; valeurs comparatives: AD=139, ECD=128, ECI=169. Les plus importantes différences positive (énergie>valuers DW) sont de 30 (AD, ECD) et de 24 (ECI) centièmes (les différences négatives les plus fortes = 9 (AD), 11 (ECD) et 8 (ECI); ces différences sont moindres pour ECI (71% des différences tombent à 0 et +5 centièmes), et AD (68%), suivi de ECD (seulement 47% tombent entre 0 et +5). Ces différences peuvent varier avec la température, l'alimentation et d'autres facteurs; les différences tendent à croître (particulièrement pour ECD et ECI) quant on les compare plus tard avec des stades plus précoces. Energie > aux valeurs d'efficacité DW sont généralement attendues pour AD par suite du contenu énergétique supérieur de l'aliment à celui des excréments, et pour ECD et ECI par suite du contenu énergétique généralement plus élevé pour la biomasse de l'insecte que pour l'aliment ingéré et assimilé. Les écarts par rapport aux différences prédites dans les données de la littérature examinée sont analysées en considérant les sources possibles d'erreurs méthodologiques.

     

Carbonic Anhydrases in Chick Extra-embryonic Structures: A Role for CA in Bicarbonate Reabsorption Through the Chorioallantoic Membrane

The villus cavity cells, a specific cell type of the chick chorioallantoic membrane, express both cytosolic carbonic anhydrase in their cytoplasm and [Formula: See Text] anion exchangers at their basolateral membranes. By immunohistochemical analysis, we show here that villus cavity cells specifically react with antibodies directed against the membrane-associated form of carbonic anhydrase, CAIV. Staining is restricted to the apical cell membranes, characteristically invaginated toward the shell membrane, as well as to endothelia of blood vessels present in the mesodermal layer. The occurrence of a membrane-associated CA form at the apical pole of villus cavity cells, when definitively confirmed, would be fairly consistent with the role proposed for these cells in bicarbonate reabsorption from the eggshell so to prevent metabolic acidosis in the embryo during development.     

Inhibitory effect of aspirin on cholera toxin-induced phospholipase and cyclo-oxygenase activity

Cholera toxin (CT) stimulated phospholipase activity and caused [3H]arachidonic acid (3H-AA) release in a murine macrophage/monocyte cell line. Pretreatment of cells with dexamethasone, a phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor, did not affect CT-induced 3H-AA release. In contrast, aspirin, which is an inhibitor of phospholipase C (PLC), blocked CT-induced 3H-AA release and subsequent prostaglandin (PC) synthesis. The inhibitory effect of aspirin was dose dependent, with 4 mM reducing the CT response by approximately 50%. Similarly, inhibition was time dependent, occurring when the drug was added to the culture medium as late as 30 min after CT. Brief exposure (30 min) of the cells to aspirin did not alter their subsequent response to CT, but 3H-AA release from cells exposed to aspirin for 2.5 h was irreversibly inhibited. The data suggested that CT stimulation of AA metabolism may involve increased PLC activity.     

Stress-induced changes in the root architecture of white lupin (Lupinus albus) in response to pH, bicarbonate, and calcium in liquid culture

Current agronomic cultivars of white lupin (Lupinus albus) are intolerant of calcareous or limed soils. In these soils, high pH, bicarbonate (HCO₃^?), and calcium (Ca) concentrations are the major chemical stresses to the root system. To determine the responses of the root system to these factors, evaluate root architecture, and compare genotypes for tolerance, a series of liquid culture experiments was completed using root chambers that allowed the study of the root system in two dimensions. Each stress condition caused changes in different parts of the root system and there was no generalised stress response. HCO₃^? (5 mM) had the greatest effect on cultivars intolerant of calcareous soil; it decreased the dry weight of the shoot and caused the highest percentage of tap root deaths. HCO₃^? also discriminated between short (determinate) and long (indeterminate) roots, as it decreased the number and density of the determinate roots only. Calcium (3 mM) affected all parts of the root system. The tap root was shortened and showed an increased tortuousness in its path compared with 1 mM Ca, although no plants suffered tap root death. The numbers and densities of the two lateral root forms were also decreased, as were the lengths of the indeterminate roots. Stress from alkaline pH (7.5) media caused a lower number and density of determinate lateral roots to be produced than at pH 6.5. The experiments demonstrated that each culture condition elicited a definable stress response. Stress conditions altered the root architecture of genotypes reported to be tolerant of calcareous soil less than in intolerant genotypes. Although soil is more complex than liquid culture, it is possible that in a calcareous or limed soil each stress condition examined may affect the overall stress of the plant, and increased tolerance may result from tolerance to a single stress.     

Luxury consumption and specific utilization rates of three macroelements in two Taraxacum microspecies of contrasting mineral ecology

Plants of Taraxacum sellandii Dahlst., a microspecies adapted to fertile, and Taraxacum nordstedtii Dahlst., adapted to infertile soils, were cultured hydroponically, either on a complete nutrient solution or on one deprived of nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium ions. For all four treatments, the growth and internal mineral concentration of the plants was monitored. For plants cultured on a complete nutrient solution, the uptake rates of nitrate, phosphate, and potassium ions were determined. Luxury consumption of the three macronutrients was computed as the excess of ion absorption over the ion uptake rates minimally required to sustain maximum growth. In these calculations the critical N, P, or K⁺ concentrations, earlier derived, were used as parameters describing the mineral status minimally required to allow maximum growth. Efficiency in use of the three macroelements at various levels of mineral accumulation was also computed. Finally, the response to phosphate starvation as related to phosphate uptake capacity and the accumulation of P was investigated.
The physiological properies investigated provide a causal background for the superior adaptation of T. nordstedtii as compared to T. sellandii to infertile sites. Taraxacum nordstedtii had a higher relative luxury consumption of NO₃^–, H₂PO^-₄, and K⁺, a higher efficiency in N and P use at N– and (severe) P-deficiency, respectively; and, after phosphate starvation, a relatively high preservation of phosphate uptake capacity and an enlargement of P storage. In combination with the low potential growth, luxury consumption will be particularly effective in T. nordstedtii in preventing or minimizing mineral deficiency. The distribution of minerals between cytoplasm and vacuoles as a factor in mineral use efficiency is discussed.     

Effect of HCO - 3 concentration in the absorption solution on the energetic coupling of H+-cotransports in roots of Zea mays L.

The effect of HCO ₃ ^- on ion absorption by young corn roots was studied in conditions allowing the independent control of both the pH of uptake solution and the CO₂ partial pressure in air bubbled through the solution. The surface pH shift in the vicinity of the outer surface of the plasmalemma induced by active H⁺ excretion was estimated using the initial uptake rate of acetic acid as a pH probe (Sentenac and Grignon (1987) Plant Physiol. 84, 1367). Acetic acid and orthophosphate uptake rates and NO ₃ ^- accumulation were slowed down, while ⁸⁶Rb⁺ uptake and K⁺ accumulation rates were increased by HCO ₃ ^- . These effects were similar to those induced by 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethane sulfonic acid/2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol (Hepes-Tris). They were more pronounced when the H⁺ excretion was strong, were rapidly reversible and were not additive to those of Hepes-Tris. The hypothesis is advanced that the buffering system CO₂/H₂CO₃/HCO ₃ ^- accelerated the diffusion of equivalent H⁺ inside the cell wall towards the medium. This attenuated the surface pH shift in the vicinity the plasma membrane and affected the coupling between the proton pump and cotransport systems.Abbreviations FW fresh weight - Hepes 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid - J_aa acetic acid influx - J_K ⁺ K⁺ influx - J_Pi orthophosphate influx - Mes 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid - pCO₂ CO₂ partial pressure - Tris 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol     

How does l-glutamate transport relate to selection of mixed nitrogen sources in Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii MNF1000 and cowpea Rhizobium MNF2030?

When growing on a mixture of ammonia and l-glutamate as nitrogen sources, Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii MNF1000 utilizes ammonia exclusively, while cowpea Rhizobium MNF2030 utilizes both compounds at similar rates. l-Glutamate transport in both strain MNF1000 and MNF2030 is active, giving rise to a 60-fold concentration gradient across the membrane of cells of strain MNF2030. Both strains produce two kinetically distinguishable glutamate transport systems under all conditions of growth — a high affinity system with an apparent K _m of 0.06–0.17 M but of relatively low V _max, and a low affinity system with a K _m of 1.2–6.7\ M, but of higher overall capacity. l-Glutamate transport activity in cells of MNF2030 was relatively insensitive to the presence of ammonia in the growth medium. By contrast, ammonia in the growth medium resulted in low activities of glutamate transport in cells of MNF1000 which were provided with a carbon source, offering one explanation for the failure of this strain to use glutamate in the presence of ammonia. However, in cells of MNF1000 growing on glutamate as sole source of carbon and nitrogen, the glutamate transport system is synthesized, even in the presence of accumulated or added ammonia. This suggests that the regulation of the glutamate permease also depends on availability of carbon source.Abbreviations CCCP carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone - HEPES N-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N-2-ethanesulphonic acid     

Degradation of 3-chlorobiphenyl by in vivo constructed hybrid pseudomonads

Abstract 3-Chlorobiphenyl-degrading bacteria were obtained from the mating between Pseudomonas putida strain BN10 and Pseudomonas sp. strain B13. Strains such as BN210 resulted from the transfer of the genes coding the enzyme sequence for the degradation of chlorocatechols from B13 into BN10, whereas B13 derivatives such as B131 have acquired the biphenyl degradation sequence from BN10. During growth of the hybrid strains on 3-chlorobiphenyl 90% chloride was released. Activities of phenylcatechol 2,3-dioxygenase, benzoate dioxygenase, catechol 1,2-dioxygenase, chloromuconate cyloisomerase and 4-carboxymethyl-enebut-2-en-4-olide hydrolase were found in 3-chlorobiphenyl-grown cells. The hybrid strains were found to convert some congeners of the Aroclor 1221 mixture such as mono- and dichloro-substituted biphenyls.